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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
jmpwme
106 posts
 
To All - thanks for the results from the shoot out. Its been eagerly anticipated. I for one, have purchsed the APL 3910 and it is a fantastic unit. I have not heard the others, but eagerly await the chance.

Thanks again for all of the info provided over the last months. Learning never stops!!!!

S.
audio_girl
91 posts
 
EARS,
OH MY GOD, here you go again ranting and raving about the Onkyo DV-SP1000.
Get a life man.
Are you trying to tell me that my system does not have enough resolution, and my hearing is not good enough to tell that the Linn Unidisc and Esoteric are CLEARLY sonically better than the 1000 on all formats?
Get it through your hard head...THERE ARE BETTER UNIVERSAL PLAYERS OUT THERE THAN THE ONKYO DV-SP1000!!!STOCK and modified!!!
Daltonlanny is a believer! I met him this afternoon. He only lives a town away from me! What are great, fun, honest, and knowlegeable guy! He is a blast to be around.
He said my system was absolutely awesome and to-die-for. He said he has never heard such a complete and detailed system in his life.
[Makes me feel good that all my hard work and auditioning tons of components finally paid off!]
He also said that he could not believe how much better my Linn Unidisc was sonically on ALL FORMATS than his FORMER Onkyo DV-SP1000.
He said if he had the money, he would buy the Unidisc without hesitation or a second thought.
Granted we did agree that the Onkyo has a better picture, and is built like a tank. But that is as far as it goes!
If you think the Onkyo is so good, take Tgun5 up on his offer above. I think you would change your mind rather quickly!
Nice to meet you, daltonlanny!
bpwalsh
1,198 posts
 
Hey Jayctoy, maybe in the middle of having fun you forgot I'm a dealer, too. :-)

Spoke with 711 today, who kindly called to say he found my CD that was left in his player by accident. We'll see if he has anything to say here.

Brian
lazarus28
339 posts
 
guido - sarcasm aside, these aren't certainties - that's part of my whole point. i'm not trying to be condescending or rude. like i said, this is merely my opinion and you can take it or leave it. that's all. i have no problem if you disagree or find my suggestions impractical. i respect the opinions of those in the shootout and every other poster here, whether or not i agree.

like i said, i'm just posting because i felt the particular viewpoint *i* have wasn't being expressed, and i wanted it to be. so those who read this thread have more options of viewpoint. more options is generally a good thing, no?

so, i do apologize if i come off as condescending. i truly don't mean to. and i don't necessarily feel that the way i do things is any better than anyone else's in an absolute sense. it's just better for *me*. whatever works for you is cool.

take care,
jfz
570 posts
 
Reading Ehfm's post of 2/8 about different warm-up times, I'm curious about what controls were in place for the comparisions. Seems to me the fewer things controlled for, the less meaningful/accurate any diffences you noted would be. Did the group control for level? Why not for warm-up? Were only certain other things plugged in as a control? Did people stand in different places in the room for different players? I'm honestly curious. I don't mean to disparage anyone.
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