I have followed this thread for quite some time now. I was led here as a result of being a DV-50 owner. I wanted to research things on Agon about my CDP that other owners had experienced. As I continued to follow, I realized there might be something even better out there.
After input from many people I have come to respect in their opinions I decided to call Alex. After a couple of chats with him, it was easy to understand I was talking to someone who was several levels higher than most in know the technology of audio. I even discussed the possibilty of modding my DV-50. Once again the more I discussed this with Alex it seemed clearer to me that APL 3910 would be a superior machine.
I do not claim to have the "audiophile experience" that many have here. Nor can I use the fancy language that so many subscibe to.. I have however been involved with music for over 40 years as a musician and singer.
It is only now in my 50s that I have made a decision to build and buy the 2 channel system of my dreams. I have only been working on this for a couple of years now and bought and sold tens of thousands of equipment.
Sorry for the long-winded preface but these are my observations of my DV-50 vs. the APL 3910
The DV-50 wasn't even close.
It was as if a blanket was lifted off the soundstage. I think this means the APL was much more transpaent. I listen often to female vocals. Natalie Merchant, Amanda Mcbroom, and many more were now performing for me live. The space where the notes end and the space starts were nothing less than breathtaking. Each pause between notes were as meant to be, as important as the notes. I think you guys call this blackness. The bloat in the bass I found in the Esoteric was gone in the APL 3910. The pace and speed of the 3910 was lively and body involving. I think that is referred to as "musicality" . there was a sterility to the DV-50 I could never understand. Almost like a sound built in a lab.
The odd thing of all of this is that up until I received my APL 3910 there was not a finer cd player in my book than the DV-50. It did all the things right as far as I knew.
My purchase of the DV-50 was the best I had ever heard. That made it the best as far as I was concerned, until I heard the APL 3910.
I guess the real question is how many things are out there that might be better, and it is me that don't know it, because I haven't heard it yet.
The question is , "Is it enough to know to ourselves that our unit is great sounding to our ears in our own home?"
It's quite probable that we are all right, given different systems,ears,musical tastes and budgets.
Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?
To me YES! The APL 3910
Tom
After input from many people I have come to respect in their opinions I decided to call Alex. After a couple of chats with him, it was easy to understand I was talking to someone who was several levels higher than most in know the technology of audio. I even discussed the possibilty of modding my DV-50. Once again the more I discussed this with Alex it seemed clearer to me that APL 3910 would be a superior machine.
I do not claim to have the "audiophile experience" that many have here. Nor can I use the fancy language that so many subscibe to.. I have however been involved with music for over 40 years as a musician and singer.
It is only now in my 50s that I have made a decision to build and buy the 2 channel system of my dreams. I have only been working on this for a couple of years now and bought and sold tens of thousands of equipment.
Sorry for the long-winded preface but these are my observations of my DV-50 vs. the APL 3910
The DV-50 wasn't even close.
It was as if a blanket was lifted off the soundstage. I think this means the APL was much more transpaent. I listen often to female vocals. Natalie Merchant, Amanda Mcbroom, and many more were now performing for me live. The space where the notes end and the space starts were nothing less than breathtaking. Each pause between notes were as meant to be, as important as the notes. I think you guys call this blackness. The bloat in the bass I found in the Esoteric was gone in the APL 3910. The pace and speed of the 3910 was lively and body involving. I think that is referred to as "musicality" . there was a sterility to the DV-50 I could never understand. Almost like a sound built in a lab.
The odd thing of all of this is that up until I received my APL 3910 there was not a finer cd player in my book than the DV-50. It did all the things right as far as I knew.
My purchase of the DV-50 was the best I had ever heard. That made it the best as far as I was concerned, until I heard the APL 3910.
I guess the real question is how many things are out there that might be better, and it is me that don't know it, because I haven't heard it yet.
The question is , "Is it enough to know to ourselves that our unit is great sounding to our ears in our own home?"
It's quite probable that we are all right, given different systems,ears,musical tastes and budgets.
Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?
To me YES! The APL 3910
Tom