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Accuphase or Esoteric?

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a new CD player. I've had an Accuphase DP-78 that sounds wonderful, but has developed some mechanical issues, so I think it's time for a new player. I've been offered a great deal on a new Accuphase DP-600, but also very good deals on an Esoteric K-03 or K-01. The only one of any of these I've heard is the K-03. I have a friend who has one, and we auditioned his against my Accuphase side by side, and found them roughly equal in sound quality, although they were different and we preferred one or the other, depending on what was playing. I'm interested in whether anyone has heard the Esoteric against the Accuphase, and also how much better the K-01 really is. The Absolute Sound review was pretty unequivocal, but I never know what reviewers are thinking, and there is a big price difference. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
skreich
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
4,382 posts
 
I just stumbled across this thread and feel that Audiozen is onto something. Presently, I'm breaking in the Marantz SA-15S2b and am simply taken aback at what I'm hearing. It's still early and it's my first SACD player but it's making me rethink my preconceptions about Marantz and this hobby in general. One need not overspend to get really good sound.

From what I've read and in correspondence with a reviewer who taste I now trust (he steered me to the SA-15S2b) the SA-11S3 is a force to be reckoned with. Could it be that Marantz is becoming an alternative to Accuphase, Esoteric or Luxman?

All the best,
Nonoise
milpai's avatar
milpai
1,341 posts
 
From the following interview it looks like the "SA-11S3 was supposed to be the SA-7S2".

Original Japanese version

Translated English version
gfroman's avatar
gfroman
134 posts
 
Please note that I am a dealer for Esoteric/Teac products.
Let me know if anyone is interested in any great prices, voltage conversion or other questions, contact me at gfroman@yahoo
Have sold several of the K-01 units and all love it!
Thanks
Gregg
audiozen
754 posts
 
Here is what makes the Marantz SA-11S3 a force to be reckoned with. It uses the best DAC chip ever in any Marantz player to date and is only used in the SA-11S3. The Burr-Brown DSD 1792A D/A chip which has seven times more current output over any previous DAC used in other Marantz player's which provides far greater dynamic range and much better S/N ratio. The other item that is customed design in house by Marantz is the PEC777F3 24 bit DSP Processor/Filter. Combine these state of the art chips with the heavy duty Marantz designed transport results in what is considered one of the most musical CD players too date on the planet regardless of price.
badwisdom
145 posts
 
I have owned Accuphase CD players (DP-85, DP-700) and Esoteric player (K01) and its not even close.

If you have ever owned an Accuphase, nothing really matches that *sound*, Esoteric included.

And I'm sorry but the Accuphase transport is a knife through butter while Esoteric is a factory machine. Its like comparing a Rembrandt to a fork lifter.

Stick with Accuphase.
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