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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
nealhood
199 posts
 
Oldpet, you might want to look into the Decware 685 player. It is $700 and includes a single ended triode tube stage driven directly from the dac chip output. No buffers, opamps, etc., to mess things up.

How does it sound? Well, I will let you know next week when mine arrives.

I don't mention this as being a sleeping giant or APL/Exemplar/Modwright killer as I am sure it is not. But, just another choice for those like me who have limited budgets. I would love to have one of APL or, the other units often in the limelight here but, even if I could afford it I tend to draw a line on prudence. Right now in an ever changing digital marketplace $4k for a CD player is outside that line for me. If I had any interest in SACD or DVD maybe not. But I don't.
oldpet
295 posts
 
Nealhood - Thanks for the tip on the Decware 685. I'll be honest - I haven't heard of it. But PLEASE put up a post regarding how it sounds. BTW - Where did you get yours?
avguru OP
116 posts
 
TBG,

I too am sorry that you can not be part of our Chicago listening tests. You remind me of myself when I first heard the Esoteric DV 50. I didn't believe (and didn't want to believe) anything could sound better. I was wrong...and with all due respect so are you. The key words you used was "its the best you've heard". Keep that in mind.

The Exemplar is good but not the best by any stretch of the imgination. It was beaten soundly by the Sony Modwright and the APL 3910.

You will note throughout this thread I haven't come out in support of or endorsed anyone's modded unit. I've just reported the facts.

I am in the process of re-listening to everything that we've demoed a second time to assure myself that my impressions (and the groups impressions) were not flawed or biased. I will actually have an Exemplar 3910 in my hands within the next 5 days. I also plan on listening to Alex's latest 3910 (currently owned by 711) within the next week. Finally, I will have the Esoteric X01 in my home in another two weeks. Then I will write out detailed results of each.

Enjoy your Exemplar. It is better than a lot of things out there (including my DV 50).

AVGURU
jfz
570 posts
 
Thanks Alex, but I wasn't looking for a retailer. I'm looking for specific feedback, as you mentioned you would provide in your post to Springbok10 on 12/28 - including feedback with regard to decreasing vibration AND the resulting noise from the 2900. I will appreciate any feedback you can give me after you've had sufficient time using yours.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Avguru, please bear in mind that the Exemplar needs 300 hours on it! I really doubt whether you have heard the Exemplar/Denon 3910 at its best given necessary breakin or complete modification. I have not heard recent Dan Wright mods and am unlikely to, but in earlier versions I did not find them to have the pace and dynamics of music. I will, however, soon have one of Alex's 3910s.

There is another complication in my consideration, the Einstein cd player. I will hear it at CES, but early reports are very positive. I would really miss hearing HDCDs as I can on the Denon 3910, however. Then there are the computer based replay systems, such as VRS. I have twice heard the VRS and never liked it, but others say it is outstanding.

You realize, I hope, that your evaluations hold for only about six months. There will be newer and better units by then. Isn't the edge of the art exciting and expensive?
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