EMM Labs vs. Esoteric X-01


Hi All,
I have had the EMM Labs CDSD and Dac6e for about a year. I've been really intrigued by all the press about the X-01, so I bought a used unit off Audiogon. I'm beginning the process of comparing the two units in SACD and Redbook playback. For now, it will all be 2 channel, until I get my multichannel back up and running.
As I realize that this is an issue of taste more than anything else, I will try to avoid hyberbole. My quick, initial impressions is that they are more alike than different, particularly in SACD mode. In Redbook, it's a somewhat different story. The Esoteric is a superlative Redbook player, with rock-solid imaging and a real sense of space. The Meitner, while it sounds very good, isn't nearly as detailed. One of my favorite tracks is on Emmylou Harris' Spyboy album, "The Maker". On the Esoteric, one can sense and even feel Emmylou in the middle, with the percussion section just behind her. There are 2 musicians on either side of her, playing guitar and Banjo (i believe). You can feel all the percussion that goes on. The Meitner doesn't have nearly the defined sense of space that the Teac presents, but Emmylou's voice sounds just great. It also doesn't present that deep percussion that one can feel in your chest.
FWIW, the rest of my system is an ARC Ref3 preamp, a Boulder 2060 stereo amp and Dynaudio Evidence Temptations, backed up by a REL Studio 3 subwoofer. All the cabling is Nordost Valhalla. The room is heavily treated.

More to come later.

David Shapiro
deshapiro
D500, there seems to be a little confusion on whether the X-01 Limited includes an upgraded power chord, possibly the same used for P01/D01 and made by Acrolink (do I spell it correctly?). Please let us know.
Last night I was able to audition the G(0) clock with an X0-1 Limited Edition. Hard to put into words what the clock does. The effect is clearly audible but does not jump out at you. It is initially subtle but the longer that you listen, the harder it is to disconnect the clock. If anything it makes the unit more musically natural. The transparency does not increase noticeably, it stages a little better but mostly it becomes easier to listen for extended periods, for want of a better description, more analogue.
Hi All,
I'v continued my listening with a series of instrumnetal pieces. Two of my favorites are Leo Kottke's "6 and 12 string guitar" (CD and SACD), and Guitartown by Steve Earle, also SACD. The second isn't only guitar, but I listen for Steve's playing, not his singing. I added a Townes Van Zandt (redbook) for kicks. I have to reiterate what I've said and what has been said in the thread on Reference Dacs. The differences are a matter of taste, not absolutes.
On SACD, I find that both rigs sound very similar, with detail and a rich harmonic sound. The Esoteric has more of a dynamic feel, with a "they are in the room" sensation.
On regular CD's, the Esoteric extracts much information than the EMM. It provides me with a more satisfying experience. More listening this week, but I expect to list the EMM gear on Audiogon bfore very long.

David