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Wadia S7i vs Esoteric K-01/K-03 vs MSB

As I want to upgrade from Sony XA5400ES has someone compared the following:

-Wadia S7i
-Esoteric K-01 or K-03
-MSB with Platinum Dac IV plus, Signature Platinum Power Base, Upsampler 384 kHz and Platinum dac IV transport or any other MSB device.

I got already a great deal on a used Wadia S7i, which however is discontinued now.
I have no possibilities to compare any of these and apparently there is no specific information available on the net.

Thanks for making any efforts.

sequence56

Showing 7 responses by sequence56

sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
Doggiehowser, I take PD for sure into consideration. Thanks.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
Thanks Chuck.

At this moment I am leaning towards the MSB, which although is the most expensive, has the ability to upgrade. Wadia does not play SACD; with the right upgrade-options, I was told that MSB should surpas Wadia.
I have no information on the Esoteric vs MSB so far.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
Mallen123 and Matjet@ Thanks.
I got a great deal on the MSB, so the price is more or less the same as the K-01.
I think I could live easily with one of them as I think both are excellent, but comparing them directly proved difficult however.
The more versatile package of MSB, eg. adding the superior clock they offer later or upgrading to the better dac-options, seems the more interesting solution.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth,

That is what I want to know also, which is the best or what are the differences! Not possible to compare here.
Both brands are ebullient recommended by its customers.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
@Gpgr4blu,
Do you have any comments on the general sq of Esoteric vs MSB.
I already ruled out the Wadia for the reasons you mentioned.
Thanks for posting.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
Hi Gpgr4blu,
Thanks!
Said by other members that the best MSB stack is way ahead of the Esoteric and even surpas the P02/D-02 combo.
So at this moment I would stick with MSB with also having the advantages as mentioned before.
sequence56 OP
52 posts
 
@ Audiolabyrinth
Thanks.
I heard Accuphase a few times and was not overly impressed, did not remember which models however.
Not much known about Luxman, is indeed quite recommended by some.
I choose to go the separate dac-transport route, for which MSB is a very strong contender with versatile options to upgrade.
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