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Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?

Is there are anyone out there who has compared the Esoteric DV-50 to a number of dedicated red book only players (or other universal's) and found one that is SIGNIFICANTLY better?

I stress significantly because in my humble opinion the redbook playback (if comparison unit is just a cd cd player only )must be significantly better to justify losing DVD-A, SACD and DVD-Video capability.

I keep hearing there are better one box solutions and being a die hard 2 channel fan I would sell my DV-50 if I found a player in the same price range that sounds significantly better. But every time I do an AB comparision to other well respected units the DV-50 has slayed each and every one.

So far, it has eaten the lunch of the Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7, Linn Ikemi, Cairn Fog Vers. 2, Cary 306/300, Arcam DV 27A and CD 33T, Myryad CD 600, etc. It even betters a Sony SCD 777ES/MF Tri-Vista 21 transport/dac combo that I previously owned. I'm only comparing the DV-50 to single box cd or universal players, but I just wanted to mention the Sony/MF combo. I'm sure there are some dac/transport combo's that will handily beat the DV 50.

Some may say that the DV 50 should beat all the above because the of price point ($5,500 vs. average price of $3,000 for the above players). But I disagree since conventional wisdom says that stand alone players (especially with the pedigree of those mentioned above) should produce better redbook than a universal player trying to be a jack of all trades. Only the DV 27A does video plus audio. By the way, I was very impressed with the 27A as just a cd player. Of all the above I would say the Ayre was the best.

Next on my list is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP and the Resolution Audio Opus 21. However, I must tell you I am really impressed with the DV 50 and all the great reviews are absolutely true. I've noticed that many people who are using it or comparing to other players are using the RCA analog outs instead of the balanced outs. There is a significant improvement in sound if you use the balanced outs and I'm only interested in hearing comments from people who have compared it against other players using the balanced outs on the DV-50.

My system components are as follows:

B&W N803's speakers & HTM-1 center
Cary Cinema 5 (5 x 200) amp
Anthem D1 Statement pre/pro
Esoteric DV 50
Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wire
Nirvana SX balanced interconnects from DV-50 to Anthem
Acoustic Zen Matrix reference II interconnects from D1 to Cary
No after market power cords or isolation equipment

My system sounds great! Those who comment please make sure to specify what specific improvements you heard over the DV 50 and what cdp were you comparing it against.

AVGURU
avguru
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Guidocorona, first off let me say that there is no such thing as Balanced source to begin with. The balanced designs have very high CMRR and are very useful and required for production studios and other Pro applications where long cables are must. For home, it does not make ANY sense to use balanced gear. Why? Because the so called "true balanced" (or full differential) designs use the same amount of components for each phase per channel. What would you say, is it better to have 2 components on the signal path or is better to have 4? I vote for 2. The transformers I am going to use have Faradey shielded windings for much improved balance. Even in full differential design there is components mismatch so nothing is really perfect...;-) Why I am offering the Balanced is for people who do not agree that there is no benefit of it and insist on having it...:-)

Balanced = push pull. I still prefer SE Class A, nothing like it...;-)

Regards,
Alex
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Thanks Guidocorona,

I look forward to hearing the APL player as well, despite the fact that my wallet has grown hands and is strangling me for even thinking about it!

All the best,
Howard
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Alex,

What happened to your web site? I was going to e-mail you about setting up another time to come audition the player, but www.aplhifi.com brings up a site for web designers. You might want to check it out.

Thanks,
Howard
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thanks Alex for the explanation. Will your 'balanced' design also supply single ended connectors in the same box? I suspect balanced vs single ended is a religious matter, as there are as many staunch defender of fully balanced approaches willing/able to prove their point, as there are detractors. Ultimately, the proof may be in the pudding, or was it in the 'fruits?' As for push/pull vs triode, I have heard situations where the former sounded better, and some where the latter did instead. But perhaps this is only my old Italian ultra-pragmatism showing through.
dbld
297 posts
 
It is interesting to hear Alex's thoughts on Balanced vs. Single ended. When I asked the question of Coda (which connection they recommended for 2M cable input to their monoblocks), they recommended the very same thing...single ended. They sited long cable length is the only reason you'd want to run Balanced too.

Touching back to the title of this thread, I believe Alex has a DV-50 in his shop undergoing some mods.

So Alex -

Can you comment on the DV-50 and its suitablilty for mods? What are your expectations...realistically?

I know you're busy, but when you get a chance...

Thanks,

Dave
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