2. digital
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Thoughts and perceptions on the sound quality of Accuphase Digital Products

Hello Audiogoners - and I have a quick question that came up in a recent conversation I had with a dealer as well as with a friend of mine. High End single box CD / SACD players are seen as being limited these days due to the increase in  streaming, but companies such as  Esoteric, DCS and possibly Vitus to just name a few are still making and developing this technology. My question is ; '' where does Accuphase stand on this subject,,,,, '' Do we look at Accuphase as being a leader in the making and development of high end single box CD / SACD players '' ? I read where for their 50th Anniversary they came out with the DC / DP 1000 separates which is CD / SACD player that is supposed to be really, really good. ( but, at a price )  The DP 750 received great reviews and just came out with the newer version the DP 770. 

I owned the Accuphase DP 720 at one time and it was a very musical player and yet detailed at the same time. Also, Accuphase has lowered their prices here in the US due to somewhat of a change in their distribution here and hopefully it will gain some better traction in sales and at a better price than before. With that said, and being very familiar with Accuphase products ; '' is it time to look at Accuphase Digital products seriously and consider them just as good or even better than the Esoteric , DCS players that are out there now '' ........your thoughts and thank you in advance.  

garebear
designsfx
787 posts
 

I would only partially agree with the comment above only because of the point that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of their digital out there. When you read about the design of their components though the details are (at least to me) very interesting. 
The point you mentioned regarding the product distribution (at least in the US) may play into it though as I believe their network is pretty tight with steep retail prices. I know they’re a bigger player in the Japanese marketplace. 
It seems that to get the most out of their digital side you’re steered into pairing a player with a processor (CD/SACD to DAC) which makes the price of admission much higher than a single box solution. But of course for many this isn’t a problem as having a high end player from one make paired with a different DAC is common. 
I don’t own Accuphase digital components but I would think they’d be of very high quality. As always what matters most is how you feel about it.

Post removed 
garebear OP
1,067 posts
 

……thanks dweller but have no idea on how your response relates to my question on Accuphase’s current digital products . Go back and re-read my question.

jafant
18,883 posts
 

garebear

 

Fellow Accuphase owner here (DP-65v). Despite its age, this player is very fine in presentation and sound. Yes, this company is ever Evolving with models DC/DP 1000 separates. Then, we are offered DP 720, 750 and 770. Lastly, Accuphase could have remained in the CD-only camp, not researching/developing SACD.

 

On the flipside, Accuphase makes excellent amps and pre-amps.

 

Happy Listening!

garebear OP
1,067 posts
 

....thanks Jafant and glad you are well. It does seem that the overall '' opinion '' is that Esoteric makes very good single and multiple box CD players  and Accuphase is better recognized for their amps and pre-amps. However , as I have inquired it would seem that Accuphase is also producing some new and really good CD players. I had owned the DP 720 a few years back and it was a wonderful player and it was sold to buy the Esoteric Grandioso K1x. I really enjoy the Esoteric but I still recall the musicality, the overall presentation of the Accuphase that was just soo easy to listen too. The rest of my system is all Accuphase and can't help but think what would a Accuphase player sound like with the rest of my system. I was hoping that anyone like you Jafant would comment on the sonic merits of Esoteric vs Accuphase CD players.       

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