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To Esoteric P03/D03 owners: try iLink

Hi,

Remember a year and a half ago or so, talking here on best way to connect the two. All said best way was AES/EBU X2. it seems logical. You could use Esoteric ESlink, and all the "uping" they offer. That is what I did and sound was great. I chosed to listen converting to DSD.

Now the other day a Mexcell esoteric iLink cable felt in my hands by coincidence from old stock of an ex esoteric long time dealer. He told me to try it, and said I had been under using the separates capabilities since the first day. He gave it to me for free, since he does not sell these anymore for a long time... Since he had no economic interest at all, thought he could have a point, although from specs did not make a lot of sense, and decided to give it a try.

Well... The sound is much better. Not a minor change. In all areas. Please try it if you havent and if you can. The thing is like 800 USD, but well worth it, at least in my case. Try to borrow or test; your esoteric dealer should be able to offer a demo (well I got it free but would pay that if I had to). CDs will be played at 44 and SACDs in DSD. No other options. It bypasses the converdion electronics. im not really a tech guy. Seems with Ilink it does perfect bit reading and streams to DAC directly. The ex dealer said it was the best purest way and much cheaper...

Well, not sure on the tech aspects, but soundwise the is a difference, big one, for the better. Not in one particular area. All over; resolution, texture, bass, imaging... You name it. Highly recommended. Major upgrade... Hate those words when talking of cables but...

It could have to do with quality of Mexcell vs my older brand and not the type of cable? Could be but I doubt it very much. I like my old brand a lot and are high quality in all their offering. But regardless of how expensive, Have never heard such a change from swaping a brand of a cable. I will try to borrow the XLR versions of esoteric Mexcell althoug they are insane in price. But just to double check.

In any case just wanted to share this with you, nad if you havent try it I strongly recomend you do as soon as you can (but pkease borrow first. Could be something specific to my system... - doubt it- but do not want to be blamed for amking you guys expending money...)

Any views, experiences from other users?

Oh, and the SACD playing is just something else now....

Best
Eli
eelii08
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Hi Kevin,

More like in Spain... so that is going to be hard.

But I will be getting a pair of AES/EBU Esoteric Mexcel (I think they are model 6300, but not sure - their top of the line), to compare with iLink. My dealer is going to let me try them for a few days (this time I would have to pay so tehy have to be really good -better than iLink for the asking price)

If they sound the same, iLink is much cheaper. If iLink is better, than what can I say.

You could try to get a loaner from your Esoteric dealer I guess, or maybe from the Cable Company if the have them in their library.

I know how these units sound very well by now, and iLink was far superior to my AES/EBU cables which were not cheap ones precisely (but not Mexcel). I will post results here once I compare.

Are the Mexcels that good vs other brands or is the iLink superior. Will revert...

Best
Eli
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sonelectric
32 posts
 
;-) that would be difficult!

Thanks for the information, it looks from here like a Mexcel iLink cable would be a custom order- from Japan item, so a trial opportunity appears unlikely.

I'll be very interested in your experiences...

The 6300s are what I'm using and like them very much. My understanding is that these units are wired internally with Mexcel cable, so the synergy is probably none too mysterious.

Have you tried any other iLink cabling to see if the improvements you experienced were attributable to the Mexcel cable exclusively, or possibly to the interface itself?

Thanks,

Kevin
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
No, that is the only iLink I have ever used. I will be listening to the AES soon.

On paper they shoul be better. Cost wise as well. Flexibility...

But maybe bypassing circuits with iLink makes a diference. It did with my cables. We wil see with mexcel.

Will let you know soon. I think i may have them in for next weekend.

Best
Eli
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Kevin, I just got the AES/EBU today. They are the 6300. Nice box! Anyway will listen for a couple of days and report how they compare. Done a very quick 10 minutes. Aparently not much of a diference but too early to say.

Best
Eli
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Kevin, do you listen to the music with the balanced, converted to DSD, PCM 44 (88) or PCM 88 (176)?

I have some preliminary thoughts, and just wanted to check to give you more accurate feedback on what you may prefer when I've listened to them for longer and do more testing on different playing modes.

At the end of the day, have to compare iLink which will only play original rate, with DUAL 88, with DUAL 176 and with DUAL DSD... each is different in character I can tell you already, but need to do more listening, specially with PCMs.

Best
Eli
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