DV-50s vs Krell SACD Standard vs Denon 3910 mod

Guidocorona, the Exemplar/Denon 3910 is by John Tucker and I know Steve has it also. It is curious thus that it was not included. Might it be better and not used for fear that it would be judged best?

I still question, however, whether there is any transferable benefit to a shootout. I this I concur with Lazarus. But I also realize that regretably most of us lack the opportunity to hear side by side the many unit that might interest us.

TBG, the Exemplar 2900 was in the contest. But, apparently unanimously, it came in behind the APL, and at least for those who thought the ModWright 999ES to be best, it came in third place. You are correct in stating that any shootout results should be considered with a grain of salt. On the other hand, the only thing worse than having such shootouts is not having one at all. Let us remember that the Chicago gang is primarely busy having fun. As an added bonus, they are sharing their fun with us. It is up to you/us/everyone-else to read through and extract those little nuggets of priceless information that may be useful to us. Besides, isn't it fun just reading these threads? Guido

TBG,

Both 711 and I came to the conclusion that although the Exemplar 3910 was a very good player (great detail, openeness, accuracy, etc) it was not the most musical of the players included in the shoot-out. 711 feels that the APL 3910 (even before the new clock)was the most musical unit. In my opinion the Dan Wright modded Sony (9000ES) was the most musical and best player. After now listening to the modded Sony in two other systems since that shoot-out I'm even more convinced that it is the better unit.

The players in the shoot-out were Alex's APL 1000, DV 50,
Modwright Sony 9000ES, APL 3910 and Exemplar 3910. I currently have the Esoteric UX1 in my posssession for a home demo and hope to face it off this week (with 711 and others from our thread present) against the APL 1000, 2 modded Sony's and the APL 3910. 711 sold his Exemplar.

Regardless of system matching, one can still determine via shoot-outs which player is the better unit. I agree the best unit may not "ALWAYS" sound the best in a particular system due to system synergy and matching issues, but it should 8 out of 10 times if its clearly superior.

UHH, I just have one question for you, TBG. Exactly when and where was it that you compared the Exemplar 3910 to the Esoteric UX1? On what system? And exactly how did you conclude that the Exemplar 3910 was superior to the UX1? Or did you make the "assumption" that it was better than the UX1 since its better than the DV 50 (which I agree it is)?

See, the reasons we do these shoot-outs is because people make statements and then can not back them up with any proof (via written results or an open listening forum with many attendees)that one unit clearly outperformed another.
Everything that we've auditoned so far has been documented in my thread.

Just so you know, my initial listening tests (1 day only) of the UX1 (vs. my clear recollection of the Exemplar sound)leads me to believe that they are very close and share more similarities than differences. If in fact the exemplar is better it is only by the very smallest of margins. And in SACD I can already tell you the Esoteric is better..hands down. Which leads me to believe that when we bring in the X01 it will be the best of them all but not necessarily the most muscial due to a lack of a tube output stage.

Keep tuned to our thread. I won't have time to comment anymore on this thread but I did want to make at least one rebuttal.

AVGURU

It was in my own system, but the UX-1 had to travel to get here and had only been on an hour.

I think your estimate that most often the better unit will stand forward regardless of the system 8 times in 10 is wildly optimistic, unless we are limiting ourselves to the most revealing systems. Yes, I know everyone thinks his or her system is quite revealing, but we know better.

I am not saying that the UX-1 is a bad unit by any means. I first heard it in the lesser Avantgarde suite on classic Duos. This room sounded far superior to the main room with a lesser player.

The thread on the DV50 is too long to monitor.

Tbg,Actually Avguru visited my place couple of weeks
ago,And heard the SonyModwright that was involved in
the shootout,because there was a question of this
being inaccurate and having a white background. All
those doubt were erased,Avguru even more realise
How much 3d, black backgound,musical,fast,and natural
sounding, and the quiteness this player have.This
player is very consistent,it did perform very well in the
three system we played .Avguru even whisper to me
that classical is so natural, and that He wants to
try to get into classical.It is because,the Sony will
do that in highly resolving musical system.
I do respect modifiers,From what I heard between the
APL,Exemplar,DV50 although they are very good players,
The SonyMod is just too much, Avguru even mentioned to
me, How balance the Sony from top to bottom.
My question is this, will the superclock of the APL
will improve the sound, my answer is Yes, will it be
enough to beat sonymod musicality? Well wait for the
Next Shootout.
Tbg I do agree with synergisity,the SonyMod I have is
very friendly, its so easy to mate with other gear.
I think its the tube Dan used, they are cryod 5687
tungsol, this is what makes this player friendly.
Avguru and I went to listen to the 0X1,this player is
very good,but the system is not coherent and not musical
enough, for me to draw conclusion.One thing I remember
the 0X1, is much smoother than the DV50,and its much
better.I am very interested to compare the Sonymod
on this unit.AVGuru is auditioning the UX1,I might
go to his house this week to compare the sony again.
The SACD on the Sony will be tested against the UX1,
As far as I know this is where the unit Shine more.
Will see.Enjoy the music, Merry Christmas to All,and
Happy Holiday.