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

Tbg,

As you know I am nutz on this audio journey for the best digital. I have owned the Exemplar 2900, 3910, APL SACD 1000, 3910, plus a plethora of other fine machines. I, in fact have compared the 2 3910's side by side in my system, AVGURU'S system, and at quintessence audio. IMHO, the APL 3910 is without a doubt, the BEST digital I have heard to date. Bar none. If you would like to hear it, I invite you to my home, or maybe I can come by yours. I really think you would understand what I am hearing, when you directly compare, in your system. I agree that the Exemplar is an Excellent unit, John is a genious. The price of $4950 is a downright steal, comparing with retail units. BUT, for the same money, or close, the APL takes digital to another level. I, unlike you, have never sold any lines. I have also ordered the Modwright 3910, which I will receive following the CES show. I am impartial completely. I only write from my own experiences, in what I hear, and experience. Please do not make rash statements as you are doing with the Exemplar, until you actually hear the other units side by side. The Exemplar is wonderful, IMHO the APL is leaps ahead of it.

I also am still waiting for my Exemplar Exception II, with siltech, and remote volume control. I am fair to all manufacturers, and just report my true experience. I look forward to meeting you Tbg.

Best

Maybe the Exemplar sounded better to TBG because he has a different system, and values different musical presentations? I'd be curious to hear the differences in presentations between the Exemplar, the Modwright and the APL. Each of these units have been proclaimed "the best" by different audiences, and it leaves me wondering HOW DO THEY DIFFER IN PRESENTATION/SOUND?

Dennis, you bring up a very good point.
Once you reach certain rather exalted levels, personal preference also plays a significant role.
From my personal discussions with AVGURU and JAYCTOY it would appear that they perceive the sound of the ModWright Sony 9000 [not the latest moded 999ES model) to be slightly lusher, open, detailed, and with an even larger sound stage than APL. My two friends found the ModWright even more of their liking than the APL 3910--prior to the 3910's reclocking mod.
As I understand, conversly 711SMILIN finds the Modwright to have even too large of a soundstage, perhaps resembling that of a church, and the sound print to be slightly euphonic.

"The price of $4950 is a downright steal, comparing with retail units."

If you have $4950. to spend and your primary focus is optimizing Redbook playback here's an alternate approach(all prices are retail):

Stello CDT-200 transport - $1195.
(www.aprilmusic.com)
TacT S2150 power dac(150w @ 8 ohms/300w @ 4 ohms)- $2990.
If you have analog sources add- $490. for the ADC card
(www.tactaudio.com)
Audience Au24 AES/EBU digital cable - .5m- $330.
(www.audience-av.com)

No mods required, just add speakers and sc cables.

Since you’ll no long need a preamp and amp, you can sell all that gear and buy fancy power cords,a power conditioner and lots of music,. Efficiency is 90% with the TacT, so you'll also save money on your electric bill.

Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou

Guys, I think it is unrealistic to try to follow the course that Steve is following, nor do I think that I or anyone can generalize from his or other shootouts. At CES, I will hopefully hear Alex's 3910. There is a very remote possibility that it will so impress me that I will try to get one to actually compare with John's.

I have known John for many years and do really wish well for him, but I have an understanding with him that I tell him exactly what I think, which includes my telling him that I prefer the H-Cat linestage to his and earlier that Allen's Level 4 were better than his second version of the 2900.

I post here only because others have asked me to do so. I have always sought the best sound I can afford within reason, but I am not about to always try every unit available to pick the best. I did this once on interconnect and another time on ac filters. Even for me this judgment was good for only about six months and was too much a pain in the ass. For others I urge readers to be aware that they might because of tastes and systems come to a different conclusion as others and I have realitive to the use of the 6829 or 7062 pinch waists in the Exemplar/Denons.

After Christmas I will have time to write up my impressions of the Exemplar 3910 versus the Exemplar 2900.