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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
ehfm
13 posts
 
There were meaningful differences in this listenting session between each of the three players, I can assure you of that.

It was easiest to compare the APL unit against the Modwright because they each excel in different areas. The DV-50 sort of trailed behind, or was in between the sonic strengths and weaknesses of the other two units.

Alex, I like your sense of humor. Maybe I can speak with you or meet you sometime. Your unit excelled in certain respects.

BTW - we didn't all agree to agree. I've stated my preference and I'm sticking to it. I respectfully disagree with Tom. The other units were not universally "warmer" -- certainly not the APL. And if the Sony unit was "warmer" it was just a tad.

As far as conditions, the DV-50 had the longest warm up time of any unit; Steve walked in and just plugged his unit in and was ready to go. Bon arrived later.

Brian asked ahead of time if anyone needed a balanced setup. I know that Tom thinks the DV-50 would have done better running balanced interconnects, but oh well.

Let me put it another way: If someone said here is a check for $7000, you can purchase just one of these players and if money is left over you must return it, I would pick the Modwright 9000ES.

As Tom stated, he came to the audition prepared to purchase another player if his unit was blown away in his opinion. I thought similarly -- before spending my money I would like to compare. So, to me, the admittedly short afternoon had value.

I admit, my ears may be leaden, take what I say with a teaspoon of salt. But I don't own any of these modified players and I am not beholden to their owners or the people that modified them.

If the EMM gear had shown up, or the Kern 777ES, and had either wiped the floor with the other units, I would say so. Last Saturday, I found the Modwright unit to be the most enjoyable unit in the room.

- Eric
daltonlanny
301 posts
 
Carmantom and others:
Just a reminder, the Esoteric DV-50 used in the shoot-out at Mr.Walshes was NOT a stock unit. It had a few mods from Reference Audio Mods. So it is not fair to compare a stock DV-50 to it.
lazarus28
339 posts
 
"Let me put it another way: If someone said here is a check for $7000, you can purchase just one of these players and if money is left over you must return it, I would pick the Modwright 9000ES."

so, you can make a definitive statement like that, without hesitation, after listening to the player for such a short period of time? you really think that you fully know all the nuances of that player well enough after, what, 1 hour MAX of listening to it in an unfamiliar system? beyond that, you're so sure that you understand and know all the nuances of all the *other* cd players there, played in an unfamiliar system, after only having heard a few test tracks on them?

remarkable.
carmantom
17 posts
 
Daltonlanny
I was not comparing for the sake of comparing the modded dv-50. I was simply comparing the DV-50 stock as the intial thread asked for. I have no idea what the modded DV-50 sounds like.
Tom
dbld
297 posts
 
I am not a fan of the "shootout" term. However I do like the concept albeit limited in scope, and I like knowing that others too suffer from DAC.

Perhaps you cannot pick the more/most preferable player because of many of the reasons listed above. Nevertheless, if a player is clearly inferior, hopefully, this would be noticed.

Regardless, I like hearing different people's observations, and look forward to more "shootouts" and even hearing some of these player for myself sometime.

It seems there was not a "clearly inferior" machine at the last meeting. At least we know some folks had fun. Oh well, the search continues...as if that was going to change after a "shootout!"
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