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To Esoteric P03/D03 owners: try iLink

Hi,

Remember a year and a half ago or so, talking here on best way to connect the two. All said best way was AES/EBU X2. it seems logical. You could use Esoteric ESlink, and all the "uping" they offer. That is what I did and sound was great. I chosed to listen converting to DSD.

Now the other day a Mexcell esoteric iLink cable felt in my hands by coincidence from old stock of an ex esoteric long time dealer. He told me to try it, and said I had been under using the separates capabilities since the first day. He gave it to me for free, since he does not sell these anymore for a long time... Since he had no economic interest at all, thought he could have a point, although from specs did not make a lot of sense, and decided to give it a try.

Well... The sound is much better. Not a minor change. In all areas. Please try it if you havent and if you can. The thing is like 800 USD, but well worth it, at least in my case. Try to borrow or test; your esoteric dealer should be able to offer a demo (well I got it free but would pay that if I had to). CDs will be played at 44 and SACDs in DSD. No other options. It bypasses the converdion electronics. im not really a tech guy. Seems with Ilink it does perfect bit reading and streams to DAC directly. The ex dealer said it was the best purest way and much cheaper...

Well, not sure on the tech aspects, but soundwise the is a difference, big one, for the better. Not in one particular area. All over; resolution, texture, bass, imaging... You name it. Highly recommended. Major upgrade... Hate those words when talking of cables but...

It could have to do with quality of Mexcell vs my older brand and not the type of cable? Could be but I doubt it very much. I like my old brand a lot and are high quality in all their offering. But regardless of how expensive, Have never heard such a change from swaping a brand of a cable. I will try to borrow the XLR versions of esoteric Mexcell althoug they are insane in price. But just to double check.

In any case just wanted to share this with you, nad if you havent try it I strongly recomend you do as soon as you can (but pkease borrow first. Could be something specific to my system... - doubt it- but do not want to be blamed for amking you guys expending money...)

Any views, experiences from other users?

Oh, and the SACD playing is just something else now....

Best
Eli
eelii08
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Kevin, do you listen to the music with the balanced, converted to DSD, PCM 44 (88) or PCM 88 (176)?

I have some preliminary thoughts, and just wanted to check to give you more accurate feedback on what you may prefer when I've listened to them for longer and do more testing on different playing modes.

At the end of the day, have to compare iLink which will only play original rate, with DUAL 88, with DUAL 176 and with DUAL DSD... each is different in character I can tell you already, but need to do more listening, specially with PCMs.

Best
Eli
kgallagh
31 posts
 

Great. For redbook, I usually listen in dual 176, though also sometimes at 44.1... for SACD I'm always in dual DSD.

Were you doing something similar prior to switching to iLink?

Thanks,

Kevin
kgallagh
31 posts
 

Sorry, neglected to add that for all settings I am leaving the G-O Rb set to 176.4.

Hope things are working out well there for you.

Kevin
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Hi Kevin,

if by there you mean in Europe or Spain, well.... things are not too bad really right now, that is. Sounds and reads in the distance worst than it feels or looks here. Things are very much ok on a daily basis; you could not tell what is going on by walking in the street or talking to people. But this could change soon considering how things are evolving...

We in Europe can't even agree on how we call each other, so I'm not sure we are going to find a solution for this mess, since it is a complicated situation. If not, things could get very ugly in a not too distant future... for the whole of Euro zone really, and by extension I'm afraid for the entire world. Recession again would be. Let's hope politicians find a solution before it happens, since the cost otherwise will be huge. But if you just look at their track record, not lots of hopes out there...

Anyway, back to a more ludic subject. It is late now. Will give you more detail tomorrow but after extensive listening, I can tell you...

you are ok with the Mexcell 6300. They are better than Mexcell iLink. By much? Not really. Actually the iLink is better in some playing modes, but at 44.1 yours are better.

Now, considering cost of both alternatives, the iLink is by far a better choice since difference is not that big and price is 10 times lower...

If you want the best sound period, yo go for Mexcell balanced. Price performance, clearly iLink.

Well you have the balanced, so not to worry. You are fine.

More detail tomorrow. I did find some interesting things while testing these 2 cables.

Best
Eli
kgallagh
31 posts
 
Very interesting... Thanks Eli, looking forward to any additional observations.

Kevin
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