Esoteric P5/D5 Opinions please

its hard to believe a cdp that costs as much as the X-03se can be considered "value conscious". In my opinion it is a very good player and can easily be the pinnacle of digital playback for most people. In fact, a cheap $50 cdp from Best Buy can be SOTA and completely adequate for most people!

>>its hard to believe a cdp that costs as much as the X-03se can be considered "value conscious".<<

Actually it's not hard to believe given the context of the other products mentioned here to include the P-05/D-05, X-01D2, P-03/D-03, X-01LE.

In that regard, the X-03SE should appeal to the value conscious buyer.

I hope that helps.

audiofiel

would it be safe to say that in ranking, the best would be:

p3/d3
x01 d2
x01 le
x-03 se

Does x-03 se capture around 80% performance of the p3/d3 ?

Does x-03 se capture around 80% performance of the p3/d3?

Not even in anyone's wildest dreams. I would say it's maybe 50-60%.

02-22-08: Bar81
Am I reading that right, the P-05/D-05 is the second coming?!?

No, its not the second coming. The P-05/D-05 desparately needs the help of the G-03x master clock generator to really sing. Without this, a number of integrateds eclipse the combo and as such offer far better value for money.

IMHO the P-05/D-05 and the new X-05 are weak additions to the Esoteric family.