New Esoteric P02 D02

Hi Eelii,

When I compared p03/d03 with p01vu/d03 (note that vu version of the p01 is better than regular p01) I had the same finding.
P03/d03 was too laid back, lacking bass impact and body and was flat.
p01vu changed the sound dramatically. It works well with d02, but I think d03 is more back rows, while d02 front. D02 sounds more forward with somehow more ambient information about sound stage.(usually forward sounding electronics give less ambient information.)

I simply found more emotion in some recordings (for ex: Diana Krall The Girl in The Other room SACD, Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here SACD, ZAZ les passants cd, Jenny Evans Shiny Stockings cd and most obvious difference came with Carla Bruni quelqu'un m'a dit cd- more emotional and human on d03)

I decided to keep both and evaluate them with my new system which is Soulution pre/power and Stella Utopia.
I will also compare them with Soulution 745.

My dealer will bring a p02 ,so I will compare p02/d02 with p01/d03 and 2 transports with d02. Next month I am planning to compare it with the new dCS Vivaldi if I can get a hold on to a demo Vivaldi DAC or maybe system and Soulution 745.

For now my verdict is that D02 is one of the most detailed converters around. Unfortunately it is neither one of the smoothest nor the most musical with cds. It can be a bit harsh and forward with some material. Compared with it Accuphase is smoother but uninvolving and also seriously lacking in bass. D03 also is smoother but less detailed and smaller in sound stage.
I have high hopes regarding the new dCS Vivaldi...

Interesting and quite extensive try out. Congrats. That is the way to go.

I am not sure if when you get the P02 your impression of a bit of harsh and forward will change or not. I think likely not but we will see.

I don't know why you are getting that. Has to be system related or cables. or maybe taste/preference. The line between detailed and harsh can be thin. And these are detailed all right. but I do find them very musical too. More so with playing time.

I now added the new G-01. Increased musicality all around alongnwith the rest of things. But most impressive right now is the dynamics, impact and weigth of presentation. It is quite something.

These things with the clock are even more impresive. I have tried it in the past (the old model) with the P03 D03 and found little improvement. Had it home twice and never went for it.

Dont know why but with the 02s and the new G01 the improvement is very nice and evident. It may have to do with the fact that my speakers now are diferent and more resolving or the new componets are, or a mix. But the adition of the clock makes a large improvement I never heard before with this kind of gear. I recomend it.