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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
phil_l
14 posts
 
Doc Luke, I think you are saying that if a patient has a cold, he should self-medicate (DIY). But these fellows (myself included) have a much more serious condition -- audiophilia nervosa. Folks with this dis-ease, need to seek a specialist, since they certainly wouldn't want to handle a transplant themselves, nor would a GP be the right person. I'm sure we would all agree that there is a pychological component to this disorder, and that sometimes people who have had one transplant, want another one, even if it means replacing an organ that is functioning perfeclty well. Guilty as charged. But that doesn't mean the idea itself is flawed when the organ is not functioning as it should. To you I say, "Doctor heal thyself." To all the rest of us sickos, I say "Carpe Diem" and find the best mod that will cure you.

I thoroughly enjoy this thread and hope that you and Eldon will too.

Phil
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Dear Richard, I defend your right to post to this or any other thread and enlighten us with your obvious knowledge, and experience in the matter at hand as soon as you have found in yourself the fortitude to participate in the spirit that his thread was started, and has largely graced us to this date.
As I respect your professionality and wisdom, I trust that the sudden burst 'ad hominem' was an isolated instance and will in no means become part of a trend.
On the other hand, if you understandingly still feel overly stressed and you suspect you may very well soon fall victim to another such urge to vent some frustration on what amounts to your marketplace, I will feel perfectly comfortable if you decided to avoid posting here for a brief spell of self examination and meditation on the subject of marketing communications and language modalities.

Only marginally amused, yours, Guido Dante Corona
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
Phil

Very well said, i had missed that diagnosis, and I have seen many cases of these including myself from time to time. However, I am applying my trade in an attempt to utlise the de sensitization technique which might lead to a partial cure.

Thanks for reminding me of about that syndrome, it will be a difficult one to crack.

I am happy to provide medical advice in return for bits of unwanted hifi should any of you desire to take my advice.

Doc Luke
eldon
22 posts
 
I have said all I care to on this subject. If what I have
said makes no sense to anyone, then what more can I say?
I will let other modifiers chime in, if they have the guts!
If they don't, then I leave the sheep to their shepard, Alex.

Richard Kern
Audiomod
audiojoy4
98 posts
 
Hi all,
I dont mean to be overburdening your site, but just felt I had to share all my experiences with you all. One final comment on this DIY stuff,

I had the Sony SACD sc1 , haad all the mods done by audiocom in the uk, clock2, black gataes, vishays, etc. etc. I used in my system, hovland hp100, Music reference valve amps, avantgarde duo, numerous support platforms, townshend, ebony, maple etc etc.

The sony was always detailed sounding, with reasonable tone and soundstaging, but overall lightweight with a forced 'musical' presentation with red book cd. SACD was excellent, more organic sounding,more palpability and 'musical'. I added the modded X10D that helped warm and provide a three dimentional sound. Still not satisfied with redbook, i got the chord dac 64. Chord dac 64 plus sony transport only a little better than the sony alone. I added the musical fidelity x10d, now more body and tonal warmth to the sound, with a more relaxed and realistic presentation of the tunes. I then added the DIP by Monarchy. So the set up was sony coaxial digital output to monarchy dip($100 used) to chord dac to x10d($100). WOW, my regular reedbook cds were matching easily the sacd sound. I begab to see why the full potential of redbook cd was never realized.

Make your own conclusions. The chord dac has its own highly developed clock!So has the DIP, so hs the sony with its audiocom clock 2/power supply.

I wonder if these units can further improve the sound of the already professionally modded units.??????
I am still waiting for Alex just to take my order.I think his order books will be full for some time to come and rightly so.

Does any one have an ALP fully modded with his latest dac clock etc etc, they would like to sell?/

doc Luke

doc luke
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