Esoteric DV-50: Any cdp's Significantly better?


Is there are anyone out there who has compared the Esoteric DV-50 to a number of dedicated red book only players (or other universal's) and found one that is SIGNIFICANTLY better?

I stress significantly because in my humble opinion the redbook playback (if comparison unit is just a cd cd player only )must be significantly better to justify losing DVD-A, SACD and DVD-Video capability.

I keep hearing there are better one box solutions and being a die hard 2 channel fan I would sell my DV-50 if I found a player in the same price range that sounds significantly better. But every time I do an AB comparision to other well respected units the DV-50 has slayed each and every one.

So far, it has eaten the lunch of the Classe CDP-10, Ayre CX-7, Linn Ikemi, Cairn Fog Vers. 2, Cary 306/300, Arcam DV 27A and CD 33T, Myryad CD 600, etc. It even betters a Sony SCD 777ES/MF Tri-Vista 21 transport/dac combo that I previously owned. I'm only comparing the DV-50 to single box cd or universal players, but I just wanted to mention the Sony/MF combo. I'm sure there are some dac/transport combo's that will handily beat the DV 50.

Some may say that the DV 50 should beat all the above because the of price point ($5,500 vs. average price of $3,000 for the above players). But I disagree since conventional wisdom says that stand alone players (especially with the pedigree of those mentioned above) should produce better redbook than a universal player trying to be a jack of all trades. Only the DV 27A does video plus audio. By the way, I was very impressed with the 27A as just a cd player. Of all the above I would say the Ayre was the best.

Next on my list is the Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP and the Resolution Audio Opus 21. However, I must tell you I am really impressed with the DV 50 and all the great reviews are absolutely true. I've noticed that many people who are using it or comparing to other players are using the RCA analog outs instead of the balanced outs. There is a significant improvement in sound if you use the balanced outs and I'm only interested in hearing comments from people who have compared it against other players using the balanced outs on the DV-50.

My system components are as follows:

B&W N803's speakers & HTM-1 center
Cary Cinema 5 (5 x 200) amp
Anthem D1 Statement pre/pro
Esoteric DV 50
Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun speaker wire
Nirvana SX balanced interconnects from DV-50 to Anthem
Acoustic Zen Matrix reference II interconnects from D1 to Cary
No after market power cords or isolation equipment

My system sounds great! Those who comment please make sure to specify what specific improvements you heard over the DV 50 and what cdp were you comparing it against.

AVGURU
avguru
AVGuru, glad you jumped back into this mess! I'm all for getting this thread steered back to its original intent, i.e. comparing the various great digital players, modded or otherwise.

Good, bad or indifferent, everyone has their opinions and sonic preferences, and there is no "best". Unfortunately, this thread has become one-sided due to certain individuals, so enough of that and lets get back to meaningful comparisons!
Wow, this is a snake pit. What does it mean, Avguru, that you are the orginator and moderator of this thread. Can you really refuse to allow a posting?

Kana is correct, I said that I thought shootouts were worthless because there is so much bias among those participating and because there is no consensus. I cannot imagine why other moders would want to participate in this shootout, nor why anyone would use or could use the reported outcome in a buying decision.

This is all just writing about sounds as we hear them. YMMV is the proper conclusion.
To Avguru, 711smilin and all of the posters on this site.
I will try to make this post short and sweet.

I have many inside the industry sources who inform me that
Alex is giving sweet heart deals (on modified players) to
many on this forum in exchange for positive posting and
promotion of his mods.

The reason I (and other honest modifiers) wont join these
prearranged listening sessions (or post on this thread)
is we know they are run by the Alex promoters and that we
would therefore have no fair hearing.

I have no problem with someone who honestly admits to
being a supporter of Alex, but to cover up this shilling
with BS about "Just wanting to have fun and discover the
best player possible" insults my intelligence and those on
this forum.
Give it up boy's, you have been unmasked!
Goose,

Thanks for your kind comments. Stay with us as we need more voices of reason.

AVGURU
On a topic more closely related to the original title of this thread, has anyone played with the Mccormack Universal player? It got a weird mixed review in the most recent Stereophile. How does it stack up against the DV50 or any of the modded players?
2. AVguru, I think you once said that you were going to post some extended comments about the Marantz SA-11. Even though I already took the plunge and am extremely happy with my Modwright 999, I am still interested in extending my knowledge base.
Finally, has anyone yet seen/heard the Simaudio Orbiter? Looks interesting and no one seemes neutral on how they feel about Simaudio products.

Peter