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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
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!"
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Lazarus28, deciding to prefer a player over another after a brief afternoon shootout is in fact somewhat less remarkable than deciding to purchase the same after an audition in a store. In the store it is only you and the consultant. In the shootout you are in a friendly audience with whom you can exchange views, and where noone has an obvious financial vested interest. Not a bad environment at all to make a decision.
ears
341 posts
 
Dbld,
You obviously must have a personal problem after reading your statements above.
You newbie members are getting a bit out of control with your exaggeration on differences between players imo.

Audio girl, the difference you suggest between these players is not very realistic.
One of the players compared to the 1000 in my set up was my Modwright signature 9000es with the more expensive Jensen caps, bybees ect.
This player would be considered by some to be at least somewhat better than the DV-50.
The reality is that it was sold and the 1000 remains.
Yes it was slightly better at redbook, but no better for sa-cd to speak of.
None of these other players are as good with video.... so overall, the 1000 was the better player.

This is the same basis for these review comparison results were the 1000 beat the DV-50 as a whole package.
I don't consider these reviews any more biased than a G98 owner saying things like there not in the same leauge ect.

And Dave, enough with the drama as there is nothing wrong whith posting about this comparison which was not done by myself to begin whith, and I clearly stated...don't kill the messenger.

I seem to remember you posting a very defensive post on another board defending the DV-50, when nobody even mentioned the dv-50.

Relax people....there just players for god's sake.

lazarus28
339 posts
 
guido - i'll say that auditioning at a store is just as poor of a guide. i stand by the fact that you have to listen to something for a long period of time, in a system you know to really offer a definitive opinion on the matter. and i post this because i want readers of the shootout results to keep perspective of this. there has been some megalomaniacal sentiment concerning some involved with the shootout, who believe that the results are somehow infallible and universally true. i am just trying to balance it out and hopefully help people keep perspective.

luckily for me when i buy new gear, i know my audio dealer's system very well because he's a friend. so i can spend as long as i like listening to it. and, like he always says "you're not gonna hurt *my* feelings if you don't like it."

and the best part is that he means it. i've told him when i wasn't as fond of something, and he really doesn't get upset. he doesn't want to sell you something you don't like. so, it's completely no-pressure.

the other option, and the one i utilise the most is to buy used. when you buy used, you can hear a lot of equipment, keep it in your system, and sell it for what you bought it for. (more or less) the only thing you're out is shipping costs.
tgun5's avatar
tgun5
138 posts
 
An open invitation. Anyone that wants to compare the modified DV-50 and their unit, come to my home. I welcome anyone with any player. Bring cables, isolation, or whatever, but the comparison will be with the same products on both machines.

Stock DV-50's, two-box units, or whatever. If someone has a APL 3910, that would be great, otherwise I anxiously await the APL demo unit. I'm always willing to spend the time to hear new things.

This will be my last post to this forum, so if you are willing to visit Sandusky, Ohio, email me direct.
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