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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
 
Avguru,
I believe if the system we're listening to is transparent enough we will definitely be able to hear general and sonic characteris/differences between each unit and what one unit does better (or worse) than another.

Agreed.

I will say this (and your opinion may differ). If I am fortunate enough to get a really great piece of gear that's a reference piece and is known to have set a sonic standard in its class (i.e Halcro 58 amp, etc), even if it did not sound good in my system I'd probably abandon that system and re-tool it around that piece.

I disagree, only insofar as this has the enormous potential to lead to a never-ending cycle of re-purchasing and non-fulfillment. When do you decide that enough is enough? After you've obtained the Halcro (whatever) and purchased pieces to compliment it, and when the next "statement" piece comes along do you start all over? When does it end? Knowing how meticulous you are in your quest (no criticism intended here), you will spend years re-tooling a system that will never be satisfactory. Are you suggesting you're going to build a system around your digital source? This is, after all, what this thread is about. If that is your method, then I believe you are on the road to disaster. Digital changes too rapidly, and in six months what is state of the art now will be outdated. It's your path if you so choose. But, I'll take the other fork in that road.
essentialaudio
1,147 posts
 
Avguru, 711smilin just called to say he plans to make it, so perhaps you were thinking of someone else...anyway, we are ON for Saturday... Mark, hope you can make it over sometime for a listen...give me a call sometime, as would love to chat. I'll be contacting the person with the EMMlabs CDSD and DAC6e to try to make arrangements for Saturday.

Brian
essentialaudio
1,147 posts
 
Tvad, of course you're right, big grains of salt all around. Listening to something in your own system is the ultimate test. This so called shootout can't be definitive as to which is best, although we're doing our best to keep things relatively objective, which of course they never are. Now, if everyone owned Sound Lab speakers that'd be a big step in the right direction from my perspective (is my dealer fin showing?) :-)
Brian
dbld
297 posts
 
Brian - Please go for it with whatever pieces you have available. That will mean fewer when the next couple of pieces come along for the next session (I don't like calling it a shootout).

Tvad has a point though, if you don't hear differences right away, if they are subtle, too many pieces to compare can quickly become a burden rather than fun.

Tvad - Don't you know yet...it is never-ending!!!!!!!!!

OK, OK...yes Guido, I still have DAC.

Dave

Folks - keep it light. This shouldn't make people mad. It is just stereo equipment.
711smilin
513 posts
 
Charles AKA AVGURU, you are a horses ASS, put your $$$ where your mouth is already. I hope you like your Marantz SA14. BTW I am available this weekend, and have always been as gracious and HONEST as possible, even to the point of offering my players for audition without being there. I really do not care what you personnaly think Charles, for I lost respect for you when you told me you felt Bons modded Sony 9000 was more accurate than the APL or the Exdemplar. Dan Wright himself told me this is not the case, it is made to be more musical, not accurate. Dan also told me his new 3910 should be leages ahead of his earlier mods. This is a personal journey for me to find the digital I love most, than share my feelings freely on audio sites. I have never attacked you, or put you down, in fact the only real reason you have come this far is MY love for MY journey, and ME driving 60 miles to your home and letting you experience modified player by 2 genious's(John Tucker, and Alex Peychev). Where you favor Bons modwright for Accuracy, I do not. I do love what Dan does with his mods, Thus, again, I put my money where my mouth is, unlike you, I do not sit on the sidelines. You should be VERY CAREFUL what you put into print. It WILL come back to haunt you Mr. Moderator.

Best of luck your journey, and look forward to participating with Brian at his home, and listening to his AUDIOPHILE system.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH APL HIFI IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. I AM JUST A HAPPY CUSTOMER OF APL, EXEMPLAR, MODWRIGHT, WAVELENGTH, DENON, SONY, PIONEER, SVS, NOSVALVES, PATHOS, KLIPSCH, REIMER, TIVO, B&K, ECT.

I MAKE MY OWN MONEY BY WORKING FOR A LIVING, NOT SELLING AUDIO
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