New Esoteric P02 D02

Hi Tony,

The new p02/d02 has a slightly different sound signature than p01vuk/d01 I compared with. I cant comment on full vuk upgrade since the d01 I compared with was a well broken in d01 store demo piece from Spearit Sound without the vuk upgrade. The d02 and p01 vuk I used had more than 1000hrs. during the comparison, but the p02 which was exhibit demo piece was not completely broken in.
Cables were Esoteric 6300s for AES and audio out. Power cables were 7300s. The clock was G0rb. Filter was s_dly1 on D02, FIR on D01.

In short the new combo was slightly more detailed ,extracting more spatial information then the older one. The older one was more together and had a sound slight more cohesive and laid back. The newer one was more forward and it was highlighting some details more than other. The new combo had a larger and bigger sound stage. The older combo had a deeper sound stage than the newer one. P01 vuk /D01 had slightly warmer and thicker mid bass that helped some leaner recordings. On the other hand the new combo was more refined and didnt sound coarse with greater separation. On some cds the older one was better(especially lesser recordings) on some other the new one.
With SACDs the winner was the new combo which is due to the fact that the older d01 down converts dsd signal either to 88k or 176k pcm.

In short one is more laid back and cohesive,also slightly less refined the other one is more dynamic, clean but also more forward and very slightly less cohesive. They may sound closer with better cable choices that can compliment slight shortcomings or personal choices.

They are both great sounding digital gear but I would go for the newer combo for true dsd support, usb capability, the new 35 bit processing, plus easier upgrade path to new p1 or d1. The d01 has a great built in analog preamp. But since you have a preamp. that is not a plus.

To Tony,

If you like the sound of the older Esoteric gear than I would recommend using p01vuk which sounds better and complements better d01 than p03 you own.

They are still one of the best in the world and they have very well proven sonics. As you know most well respected Esoteric recordings used D01 in the recording process as the dac.

Since they are voiced together it is better to go for the natural partner. I didnt like the new dac with p01vuk that much. But it was great with p02. On the other hand the p01vuk sounded great with d01 or d03 (d03 is for sacds to do pure dsd)

Emre nice comparation.

Asume you are still using the 7300. I think the 9300 second hand while the 9500 become available can be a nice upgrade. I heard it fits the 02s much better. I dont have first hand experience though but if you can find second hand at good price not much to loose there. I suspect it can change how you see the 02s in a material way.

Hi Eelii, Do you think the 9300's would be worth the change for the D-02/P-02, or should I just bite the bullet and go straight to the 9500's. Although, the 9500's , I would have to bring in one at a time because of the cost. The 9300's I can get a deal on three at a little over the cost of one 9500! What do you think? Would you go for the three 9300's? And if I buy one 9500 at a time, I would D-02 first, then the clock, then the transport?

To Eli,

Thanks. I will try to find it. I will also check for the exhibit stock cables that they use at CES, or other shows. Sometimes they sell it for the half price, and they are basically used for a few days.
I am also waiting for the new p1/d1.