Esoteric P03 - D03

G., I never convert CDs to DSD. Sound does just not feel right. Hard to put it in words, but I would say it sounds artificially warm, lacking detail and dynamics.

You basically have 3 options only. Depending which one you choose the D2 will use one set of DACs or the other.

MultiDAC, will use the quad dif per channel BB DACs. For Redbook, by far the best. This mode will only play 16/44.1

1 Bit, uses de AMD DAC (same as for DSD) but for PCM streams. I never use this mode for either Red Book or SACD. Don't really like it.

DSD mode. as expected for SACDs is the best. Don't use this with CDs. Is just not good

You also have a mode called Reference. This will basically choose the "right" mode depending on the type of disc. It basically does what I do. If you insert a CD it will go multiDAC. If a SACD, it will go DSD. I've never seen it select 1 bit.

This unit is very good for a single box solution. Does not have the flexibility of converting, digital filters, playing modes and inputs, but you have 2 set of DACS: the same as the D01 for CDs (although only 4 per channel vs 8 of the D01), and the same as the D03 for SACDs (but only 1 per channel in this case as opposite to 4 of the D03). Again, I fell it is a better CD player than SACD player, in relative terms. Don't get me wrong, SACDs sounds very good as well, but I fell this unit gets almost 100% out of CDs, while this is not the case for SACDs. I have more and more SACDs I like so I wnat to improve in this area. For old CDs now, most of the time I use the streaming device via ethernet. Also looking forward to try this with the DAC.

XLR is what I also thought to be better, babybear and Classicjazz. Did not now about only playing native redbook with ilink. This is important. So XLR it wll be. Not only will be probably less expensive, but also more flexible. And with a very good pair, i doubt it will sound worse.

I'm also interested Clasicjazz to now if you have done a direct comparation. I will be able to answer this very soon myself but was wondering.

Babybear, how do you like the separates? Strong points and weak points if any?

Best
Eli

My advise is if you're going to upgrade to P-03/D-03, only do it if you can buy the reference clock at the sametime. With that the combo is miles better than the X-01.

Thanks Kiwi. Is in my radar for sure. My plan is, first break in the 2 units alone, get familiar with the sound and modes, and then, in a couple of months or so borrow the unit from my dealer. He can lend me one to try out. If I like it, I will order.

For what I've read, it is in my mind doing it. However others say difference is not that big. Want to hear first hand before making the investment, which is quite big.

You seem to have experience with direct side by side among the D2 and the combo. Can you elavorate a bit more on differences and points of improvement, please?

Thanks
Elise

Elise,
The clock - either the G0s or the G0rb will make a nice improvement - it adds a level of refinement to the sound but it is more on the subtle side. I think your plan to initially get the P03/D03 and use the clock in the D03 to clock the P03 transport is the correct approach. Then demo the external clock at a later time. When you do demo it, I'd recommend leaving the clock in for about a week and listen. Then remove it - you should hear the difference and then you can decide if the improvement you hear is worth the additional expense.

As for how the P03 D03 compares to the one box Esoteric players - I did own the X01 and then the X01 Limited models. The P03 D03 is a significant step up - it has a more organic and liquid sound, is more refined, has better resolution, has a wider and deeper soundstage, etc. I have not heard the X01 D2, but I would bet that the X01 D2, while better than the X01 limited, is closer in sound to the X01 limited than it is to the P03 D03.

Hi,
I wish I could answer your questions I never had the X01D2 and P03D03 on hand simultaneously. Here is what I have had: DCS Elgar Plus full stack vs P03D03 vs Wadia 921/931. Then sold DCS. Added Playback Designs MPS5 and compared all three. Added Esoteric UX1 (standalone, as transport, also for DVD-A). There is one disc available in DVD-A and SACD that I tried, a Brahms Symphony 1 conducted by Marin Alsop. They have different sound, not sure if they use the same re-mastered file. I will go back and try again since it has been a while. Sold the Wadia (regret it). Sold the P03D03 (don't regret it). Added Zanden 5000 Signature. Added Boulder 2020. These days, I find the areas that I remark are all very similar between the 5000S, MPS5 and Boulder. Odd since the 5000S is NOS and tube, the MPS is 2xDSD and the Boulder has its own sophisticated digital filter at about 16x. The Boulder has by far the most sophisticated analog section. In any event, I sold the 5000S (still have a 5000 MkIII) and am acquiring an X01 with the original P01 style mechanism so I can upgrade it to D2). If we were to work by the transitive property, one might be able to extrapolate a hierarchy of my preference (and tangentially, the sonic properties).

I had an X01 a long time ago and found it a bit sharp edged and tonally bright. Since then I have changed my thinking and look for mixing and matching based on what I want to hear at a given time. This is likely due to having tried many of the top competitors in my own system, not on audition but paid for, simultaneously and with other variables held constant (preamp, amp, speakers).

Babybear, I will let you know my impressions, albeit based on recall. I only liked the P03D03 set on DSD upsampling; as PCM the sound seemed to have a tinge of tinniness. As DSD, the sound became more (too) diffuse, easier to listen to but with a noticeable loss in image clarity and transient definition. I sold the P03D03 because the MPS5 had the same qualities but with a less diffuse sound that I prefer.