I have heard very positive comments about the Accustic Arts dac, but I have not heard it. |
Has anyone compared all the modifications to the TRL modified SA14? Bob |
Hey folks, has anyone auditioned or even heard of a german made brand called Accustic Arts Digital Surround-Player 1.
Its a german handmade uni-player, and from what i have heard it rivals the Esoteric UX-1 in all categories at a more generous price tag. Needless to say, i certainly assume it will beat up on the DV-50 and i own a DV-50 with great respect for its exellent sound and picture quality. Any feedback is worth it's weight in gold or at least sound quality. BTW. it is a toploader also. Sounds like it may be something to checkout. Peace.
teeball. |
Volker, how would you characterize the actual sonic differences between the P70 and P70VU? Is it also true that VU is still redBook only, with no SACD/DVDA support? |
Dear Friends,
I have the Teac P70VU in combination with the Audio Note Dac5 signature.
I can say its a good match.
The difference between the P70 and the P70VU, is that VU have a better jitter solution . |
I am very late to this buffet of digital. I have been using a Rotel 1072 with Apogee Scintillas powered by H20 (soon to be sent back to be updated to Signature status) with a Supratek chenin. I am very interested in upgrading my digital source. To this point I only use Redbook CD's. Are there more contenders to consider. I think I read that the Exemplar is now using the 5910 to good effect. How great of a difference should I expect between my Rotel and all the contenders that are listed in the thread. I am located in Chicago and have contacted 711smillin. This thread has made me reconsider whether to resurrecting my Well Tempered Classic. All else being equal, cleaning records is a drag! Bob |
Ahem. . . Sorry AudioGirl and Irishdog to have to burst your audiobubble so prematurely, but I have just discovered that Teac has introduced an updated P70/D70 redbook-only combo, dubbed the P70VU/D70VU.
I have absolute faith that it will surpass anything on the market today for redbook playback, as it appears to possess unique features never encountered in any digital source device before--at least according to the erudite google-translitteration of a Japanese page:
". . . The foot stand has entered in a state where it feels giddy, but when it installs, it becomes pinpoint support, makes the vibration disperse
effectively. The sound quality concern design and the ease of use which are idea of the ESOTERIC it is the pinpoint leg which is compatible. . ."
I don't know about you, but I always wanted to have one of these giddy feeling footstands in my player, ever since my Dad bought our first Dual 1019 turntable for Christmas in 1966. Now this may be my golden opportunity! |
Audio girl: I like the DV-50, but compared to the Linn 1.1 it is simply not as "musical". I know this is a hard term to define, like the judge who said he could not define "pornography", but he knew it when he saw it, musicality is a "know it when you hear it" phenomenon. I listen to a lot of classical music, and this is,by far, the hardest sort of recorded music to get right. If you have attended many live concerts, you know what I mean. The Linn gets it right! Otherwise the DV-50 is fine, and never misfires. Thanks so much for your nice reply. By the way, I live in eastern North Carolina, not exactly audiophile territory, male or female. |
Thank you for the comments, Irishdog!
Yes, I saved a ton of money on my system. If I would have paid full retail prices, I would have paid more than double what I have in it now.
I am from Earth, believe it or not! I guess my breed is very rare!
I have never had any kind of reliability problems with the Linn 1.1.
What are your sonic impressions of your DV-50? |
To "audio girl": I looked up your system, and it represents excellent choices. The fact that you bought all of this gear used, and at good prices, is an added reason for pride on your part. Have you had any trouble with the Linn 1.1? A friend of mine has had to return his for service at least two times. By the way, what planet are you from? In my part of the world, "audio girls" are non-existant. Brava!!! P.S. I have an unmodded DV-50. |
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Anyone compare apl3910 or modwright 999 to wadia 861?
Thanks |
A user comparison of the TRL 595 with the similarly priced APL Pioneer 563 has been posted on AA at:
http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/209929.html
The findings favor the APL machine. |
Folks, I just wanted to inform everyone that APL HIFI has now its own forum facility. If you have questions which can be answered only by Alex Peychev, you may want to consider posting there, as he will no longer answer questions directly on these Audiogon pages. The address of the APL forums is:
http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/ |
Dblb
the modwright sony was a well used broken in audiogon purchase. However I was using a stepdown isolated transformer for uk voltage. |
Luke, was/is your Modwright Sony new? If so, how long did it take to break in? |
Yes I am back, no sneeky remarks. Just want to share the latest with all you audiophiles. Got the Fully Moded APL sacd phillips 1000. Fantastic presence, then blew it by plugging in 240v to the 115v, got the APL 3910 on order with Alex (is he still alive?). Couldnt wait got a modwright sony 999es. Warm tonally better than the apl but could not match it for sheer presence. Added my Musical Fidelity X10D, with extraordinary power supply, ECC85 mullards, and panasonic caps, and wow, couldn't explain the transformation. From very nice to very special. Do not know why. Adding the x10 'special' to the apl filled out the spaces and solidified the images, but in no way was it as great a transformation as I got from the modwright,talk about synergy. The modwright now easily bettered the APL. Cannot tell how good this cheap upgrade is until i compare it to the 3910 apl but looks extremely promising, may even beat it.
Luke |
MF is also coming with a KW SACD player to replace TriVista. |
I don't mind if this thread lives or dies...personally I'd rather see it live because the conversation COULD be interesting...so long as folks don't get too ugly in their words.
I'd rather read about people's experience with these high caliber players than read about some guy's $300 CC special. |
The recent San Diego shootout suggests that the overall system performance was maximized by cutting the linestage out of the system, at least while using the APL 3910 or the Mightner as the source. I'd like to hear some impressions/findings from those who have experienced either the APL and Modwright players driving an amp without the benefit/hindrance of a linestage.
For example, the new Modwright 3910 -- which can have an optional volume control -- will generate a maximum 2.5V over 600Ohms. Will this drive amps directly with ease/grace?
Does anyone know the max output voltage and output impedance of the APL 3910 on its balanced and single ended outputs.
I would especially welcome findings from owners of both ModWright and APL, such as 711. |
Henryhk, I agree with you, If these players are available
around Chicago, lets do onother shootout, and compare.
Its very hard to do shootout, but it can be fun also.
711 what do you think? |
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All the discussion here seems to be around the APL, Sony Modwright, Esotetic, and at times Meitner. But there seems to be a lot of new models from comeptitors coming out and would be really interested if anyone has experience with them....Golmund universal, the dcs transport/dac, the new dcs one box sacd/cd player, the new Classe SACD player, even CJ is out with one.....the more the better I say! Now if only SACD software title issues would accelerate further! |
Tbg, I was certain in your earlier posts you had said you were positive the APL Denon 3910 could not be better than the Exemplar Denon 3910, and therefore you were not interested in hearing the APL. I could do a search and find the quote, but I'm fairly certain I'm remembering this correctly. The statement made an impact on me.
Nevertheless, it's good to hear you would be open to listening to both players in your system, provided you could find a way to be impartial...tough to do without a double blind test.
Thanks for keeping an open mind. If I had the opportunity to hear the Exemplar Denon 3910 in my system, I'd certainly do it.
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"...get a life,baby"
Just another typical example of 711 Smilins extreme arrogance, snobbery, and obnoxiousness.
Doesn't surprise me one bit. |
Thank you Jes45!
Another thing, 711, keep your nose out of my business from now on. I have just as much right to express my opinions on Agon as you do. Thank you for your cooperation.
Angela |
Tvad, actually I have never made any comparison with Alex's unit save in much earlier postings about a shootout at VSAC several years ago. I did not ask Alex to send me a unit; he asked if I would like to hear a unit. It is entirely possible that he is so far behind in filling orders that he has none, but he has not told me this. I did assure him in email and at CES that although I was happy with the Exemplar I felt I was open to a valid comparison.
Although John Tucker is a friend of mine, I have tried some of his products and not liked them. My liking everything he makes is not a condition of our friendship thankfully. |
Tbg, has stated over and over again his preference for the Exemplar Denon 3910, and his predjudice against the APL Denon 3910. Why would Alex send him a machine? Based on Tbg's previous posts on the topic, the outcome is almost certain.
Also, if you've ever spoken or emailed Alex regarding demo units, you know he doesn't have any. He can barely keep up with orders from his paying customers. As I understand it, the unit heard by the San Diego Audio Society was Pete Watt's personal machine and Alex delivered it for the listening session. It was not a demo unit. |
Seems strange Alex didn't send a unit to Tbg, so we'd have another head to head opinion of two players - in a single system over a somewhat extended period of time. If Alex was "supposed to" send one (whatever "supposed to" means, and I realize I'm the one initiating that phrase, not Tbg,i.e. I don't know what transpired between them), it seems a shame and I wonder why. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm on the "side" of those who are a bit skeptical of "shootout" results, primarily because (from everything I've read here), it seems variables were not controlled very well - but also because long term listening and satisfaction mean a lot to me. I think it's a wonderful thing that we have "smilin", because he's heard so many of these units in his own system over considerable time (and they were broken in). I wish there were more of us who were able to do that and report, however. |
"... get a life, baby".
That's no way to speak to a lady, 711. |
711, you get a life! I have a very good one thank you! |
smilin, I am still not disposed to trusting what you hear for any of my choices, but I do wish Alex had sent me a unit to listen to given all you have said about it. |
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All, I have just requested and promptly obtained that my inappropriate post be removed by audiogon staff. Thank you for signalling the point of etiquette. |
Guidocorona, appreciated, no problem |
My apologies smilin. I thought I had seen your first/last already posted elsewhere on this thread. Did not realize I had made a blunder. I have seen one instance where the system let me re-edit/modify a previous post, but can't find the option right now. Anyone knows how to do that? Oh well, I'll send a note to audiogon staff asking to edit or remove my previous post as appropriate. |
I have the Modwright 3910, and the APL, and the TRL, I invite Jactoy over at his convenience to play. I could also than go to Jayctoys place with them too. I reserve my judgement. My Modwright does have volume control. Audio_girl, get a life baby. Tbg, I will hear the latest Exemplar soon too. Tvad, whasup baby? Guido, please do not publish my last name in this forum, that really sucks, and is very impolite.
onward and upward |
Jayctoy, I disagree that it has been informative at all, but then again I can ignore it. |
Tbg why kill the thread, its a very informative thread.
Dbld,the thread is still alive and kicking.
Grant,I will never argue with you,I do respect you a
lot,its just stereo.Maybe I will send you a recipe about cooking.Audio_girl read Eric post for conclusion.
According to this guy who emailed me,audiophiles who
did the shootout on SonyModwright, APL,Meitner etc, will
post their conclusion here at Agon,I cant wait, I myself
I want to know ,if indeed our comment are similar. |
Dbld, I am with you and Audio_girl. I thought the thread was dead and that the conclusion was that there had been no unit stood out as best for all involved. I certainly would never buy one of the units based on what was said here. I still believe the Exemplar/Denon 3910 is the superior unit. |
Damn! I thought this thread was dead. |
And...Do not forget that the shootout at Brian Walsh's between the Modwright Sony, all out APL Denon 3910, and a slightly RAM modded Esoteric DV-50 was inconclusive at best.
ALL PLAYERS, regardless of price or modding technique have weaknesses, and no two peoples tastes are exactly alike.
There will NEVER EVER be a BEST SOUNDING player, regardless of whether it is stock or all out modded period!
audio_girl |
Oops TVAD, I did not realize I had just made the grand discovery of 'brand old news.' Since then though, I discovered that Dan Wright appears to have completed his modified Denon 3910 and has an advertisement on Audiogon for it. The ad is only 9 days old. I hope this is not old news as well. Has anyone tried it and hopefully compared it to the latest mods from Alex? It is also unclear if the ModWright 3910 possesses a volume attenuator. |
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Bon, I'm not going to get into another debate about whether the APL Denon 3910 is better than the Modwright 999ES. Some people hear one thing and prefer it over another, and others prefer something else. I have heard both the Modwright Sony 999ES and the APL Denon 3910 in my own system. There was no question that the APL conveyed more information from top to bottom. Some might prefer the more romantic nature of the Modwright, and some might prefer the accuracy of the APL. To each his own.
My point to Guidocorona was simply that the review of the Modwright 999ES is somewhat outdated.
|
Tvad, Grant , my friend and I both agree the
999es Modwright is even better when its properly match
with the right unbilical cord,they are two choices,
Dolfan (agonname)was stunned when I recommended the
copper unbilical cord.
I just got an email from a guy who told me about the APL
that was again involve in the shootout,according to Him
it was fatigiung, if you want I will send you the email,
He send me, this guy own APL.
I do respect you though, because you also do your homework.
Thanks. |
Guido, that's an old review from July/August of 2004. While it's a glowing review, I have two issues with it. First, Mr. Levi claims the Modwright Sony 999ES to be the best digital playback available as of the time of writing the article. Has Mr. Levi heard every digital playback system available? If so, he gets around and has extraordinary access to equipment. Second, this review is 8 months old. Much has changed since then in the world of digital and digital modification...the APL Denon 3910 with Upsampler for one, and the Exemplar Denon 3910 for another.
It's food for thought, but it's stale.
|
I thought it worth while pointing the participants of this once thriving thread to a glowing review of the SONY MODWRIGHT 999ES, very recently published on Positive Feedback. Please see:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/modwright999ES.htm
The reviewer praises the ModWright 999ES unconditionally and without reserve nor hesitation, as having the very best sound of any source component ever made--regardless of digital or analog--ever. Good food for thought. |
the old Philips SACD 1000 I think which was first used after mods by Meitner for to use with his DACs (no longer available as Meitner has stopped doing this as he launched his own transport). What I am saying is his own transport makes all the difference. |
La45, I too ,Iam excited to hear Meitner gear, but so
far no one has volunteer to show up on the shootout,
in the Chicago area.I am sure they are good. |
Which mod Philips? Too many variables here. Lets not forget Meitner with Meitner is hard to beat anyway.
|
I recently had a better opp to compare the mod Phillips SACD player used as a transport vs my Meitner CDSD both thru my DCC2 as a friend wanted to test the CDSD. HUGE difference. The Phillips although OK ...highs were rolled off, transient attack was relatively muted, sound stage not as deep. Both for CDs and SACDs. So if you were making the comparisons between the modded players such as the APL vs the Phillips transport-DAC6 etc...then I see why some of you preferred the mod players (again I have no exp) and suggest you owe it to yourselves to try the Meitner gear with its own transport. |
Alex has posted a tidbit of tantalizing info on his APL-HIFI.com site
He has apparently commenced modifications of the Esoteric UX-1.
No further info is given at this point. Perhaps Alex could post here with some more info on this latest project. |
If you are interested in Alex's work, his dedicated thread is probably the best place to look: http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewforum.php?f=71
now be nice. This is an unpaid, unsolicited notice. I am an owner of an apl/denon 3910, but paid the going rate. Since it isn't completely broken in, I can't give my final impressions of the 3910, but as of now they are the same as the more enthusiastic owners. The good news is there is some really great digital available. |
