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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
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I've owned highly modified CD and/or Universal players from APL,
Modwright, Empirical Audio and Exemplar...with and without tube
stages. My system has evolved from all solid state to all tube. I have also
heard state-of-the-art solid state CD players in 100% solid state
systems. To my ears, in my system (both 100% solid state, 50/50 solid
state/tube, and 100% tube), CD/Universal players with tube output
stages convey three dimensional, holographic soundstages that cannot
be matched by 100% solid state machines.
reb1208
518 posts
 
It's been that way since the very first machines that used tube output stages. That was almost 20 years ago.
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Just because I wanted to give the gang more food for thought, I decided to stirr the pot by researching the Teac Esoteric G-0 and G-0S external clock generators, which naturally are not available in the USA.
The Teac Esoteric G-0 external clock generator has an accuracy of ±0.1ppm. It is said to be:
a. ten times more accurate than the DCS Verona, rated at 1ppm.
b. 30 times more accurate than the internal clock of the X-01 and X-03, which are rated at 3ppm.
c. 100 times more accurate than the internal clock of the DCS Verdi, apparently rated at 10ppm.

The list price of G-0 in Japan is relatively reasonable: equivalent to $4500.
The Rubidium-based Teac Esoteric G-0s clock generator is yet another entire kettle of fish: a staggering accuracy of ±0.05ppb(=±0.00005ppm)!! List price in Japan approx equivalent to $11000!!
Both clocks appear to be compatible with X-01 and UX-1, and will likely also work with X-03 and UX-3. They are also said to be compatible with DCS gear. As the relatively low-accuracy DCS Verona is said to make a world of difference to the DCS stack, it would be very enlightening to apply a G-0, or even better G-0S to an X-01.
It is worth mentioning that I have seen these clocks listed for less than list price.
I suspect audiogoner LAYFISH may be able to source them. I have seen them listed on:
http://www.salehifi.com/
and more specifically at:
http://www.salehifi.com/eshop/index.php?manufacturers_id=24
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Guidocorona, are you going to purchase any of these Esoteric products, or are you just poking the hornets nest with a long stick?
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
My intentions are both nepherious as well as multipherious. Or, in other words, I am both planning to acquire Teac X-01 in the not so distant future, and to poke the aforementioned nest of buzzing audio-bugs with a most handsomely wrought baton! In the latter vein, I am rather disheartened that manufacturers such as Teac have opted to withhold a substantial portion of their Esoteric product catalogue from the US marketplace, thus treating this country as a somnolent digital backwater. not only the G-0 and G-0S clock generators are not listed on the Teac America site, but neither is the P01/D01/D01 triplet, nor the upcoming X-03 and UX-3 players. Considering ultra high end brands such as DCS are easily found throughout the United States and sold for approx 38K for the entire stack, I find it hard to understand why Teac is being so terribly coy. End of soapbox.
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