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
The digital shootout is scheduled for this coming Saturday, Feb. 5th, starting around 1pm at my house.
People who I think will participate include, in no particular order:
Steve (711smilin), Charles (Avguru), Bon (Jayctoy), Mark (1markr), Tom (Tgun5), Tim Babb, Henry Sadovsky, and Bob Youman.

Equipment proposed for the comparisons, in no special order:
(A) APL modded Denon 3910
(B) modified Esoteric DV-50 (Superclock 3)
(C) Modwright Sony 9000es
(D) Modwright Sony 999es
(E) Sony SCD-777ES Richard Kern modified
(F) Esoteric X01
(G) Audio Aero DAC
(H) Audio Note 3.1x DAC
(I) EMMlabs transport and DAC

And that's not counting my digital setup, consisting of modified G&D Transforms transport and Entec Number Cruncher DAC; they are redbook only and haven't been available for several years but continue to fare very well against others...we'll see. My transport can be used for the DACs being brought.

I think there are too many players, so we need to whittle down the list to five or six at most, not counting my rig.

I know there's a lot of personal pride at stake, but I hope each of you will look at things as objectively as possible and help decide which ones shouldn't be included in the shootout. What is chosen for the comparisons doesn't necessarily reflect on how good it is, just the level of interest in it being compared.

Maybe the best way is for everyone to vote by ranking each of the above in terms of your interest in hearing it and comparing it. Rank from 1 to 9, since there are 9 listed. Post the letter and the number, where 1 is highest interest and 9 is lowest interest, for example B3. This way it will be easiest to tally the votes. Post your votes here or email them to me.

Again, I strongly encourage bringing or delivering the gear ahead of time so it can be warmed up. If you have a favorite power cord you use, bring it, and please remember the remote control.

I will have a few redbook CD tracks to play for the comparisons and invite suggestions of tracks, both redbook and hi-rez.

Brian
847-382-8433
Because of discussions that have happened already throughout this thread (when it stays on topic) I would suggest the following:

(1) APL modded Denon 3910
(2) modified Esoteric DV-50 (Superclock 3)
(3) EMMlabs transport and DAC
(4) Esoteric X01
(5) Sony SCD-777ES Richard Kern modified
(6) Modwright Sony 9000es (or Modwright Sony 999es but not both…we know it is really good already)

And save these and the "other" Modwright Sony for another time:
(7) Audio Aero DAC
(8) Audio Note 3.1x DAC

At least the players listed above are the ones that have stirred curiosity and surprise already. It would be nice to whittle down to a reference one or two then have you guys get together again sometime to check out the Audio Aero, the Audio Note, and the remaining Modwright Sony, as well as one or two others. I for one am very interested in Steve’s Modwright 3910 when he gets it. That alone should be enough reason the get back together.

Just my opinion though. Have fun.

Dave
Please try and include the Audio Note 3.1x. It is a completely different approach to digital. It would be interesting to see how it fairs against the other players.

Is their any way to put a cover over the player being used so that people are not influenced by their perceptions of how each player SHOULD sound? This would make for a much more authentic comparison.
Hey Brian,

I won't be able to make the cut because of scheduling issues, plus my ModWright Sony 999ES is not arriving until the end of the week. Obviously it will need an adequate break-in time to sound its best. My wonderful Audio Aero DAC will also not be present.

You guys have a great shootout! I hope I can join you in the next round.
Just an idea....Should the shootout be between the one-box players with the overall winner competing against one of the Transport/DAC's?