cdp's

[peteys]

Wow! On the advice of DrJRapp, I picked up a used Theta data basic II on ebay. I can't believe my ears. I had been using a cheap DVD player into my Benchmark DAC straight into my amp previously. I can not believe the difference. Warm? Musical, more detailed, less harshness. I am shocked. I never ever thought that a cdp would make a difference digital out. I thought they were all the same. Now this has got me wondering whether a sqeezebox or something similar can sound just as good. I'm not betting on it. Just my thoughts.

I'm fairly new to all this but I've got a Ls 16 MKII coming soon and a depth. I am so excited. Can it get better than this?

FYI I'm using Odyssey's bi wired right now. The bi- wiring made a big difference too. This hobby is dangerous.

Christian

 

[Joey_V]

Christian..

So you moved from a Benchmark to the Theta and the difference was very apparent?

Cool!!!

I am itching to move up my digital end... but the vinyl bug has got me bad...

Joey

 

[Diamonds]

Joey,

You need to get yourself an Esoteric CDP. You will be seriously blown away!

D

 

[tonyc]

Christian..

So you moved from a Benchmark to the Theta and the difference was very apparent?

Cool!!!

I am itching to move up my digital end... but the vinyl bug has got me bad...

Joey

Joey the data basic II is a transport which I believe he is running into a Benchmark DAC. I had a data basic II for a number of years and only stopped using it when I got my Ayre C5xe. My son in law is using it now into an old EAD DAC I also used to own. He loves it!

 

[MiTT]

Wow! On the advice of DrJRapp, I picked up a used Theta data basic II on ebay. I can't believe my ears. I had been using a cheap DVD player into my Benchmark DAC straight into my amp previously. I can not believe the difference. Warm? Musical, more detailed, less harshness. I am shocked. I never ever thought that a cdp would make a difference digital out. I thought they were all the same. Now this has got me wondering whether a sqeezebox or something similar can sound just as good. I'm not betting on it. Just my thoughts.

I'm fairly new to all this but I've got a Ls 16 MKII coming soon and a depth. I am so excited. Can it get better than this?

FYI I'm using Odyssey's bi wired right now. The bi- wiring made a big difference too. This hobby is dangerous.

Christian

And this is my point so often about all things audio...EVERYTHING MATTERS.

Digital bitstreams are digital bitstreams right? Hmmm. Transports don't make a difference, right? Hmmmm. Cables can't make a difference, right? Hmmmm.

Here is the thing, until YOU listen to a variable (no matter what it is), in YOUR system under somewhat controlled conditions (only one variable at a time), you do not know.

Try, listen, enjoy. If you like what you hear, invest.

(Diamonds is right though Joey, don't go listen to an Esoteric unless you are ready to drop coin.)

 

[MiTT]

Christian..

So you moved from a Benchmark to the Theta and the difference was very apparent?

Cool!!!

I am itching to move up my digital end... but the vinyl bug has got me bad...

Joey

Yeah, and what I said about digital front ends above I feel even stronger about for analog front ends. Those two little slabs of vinyl you bought in Lawrence are the beginning of a magical journey my friend. Take your time, it's gonna be a fun ride.

 

[Diamonds]

(Diamonds is right though Joey, don't go listen to an Esoteric unless you are ready to drop coin.)

They are simply the best CDPs in the world! This is one thing I whole heartedly believe. Holy cow are they good!!

 

[Joey_V]

They are simply the best CDPs in the world! This is one thing I whole heartedly believe. Holy cow are they good!!

I want to hear Ayre's C5xe vs a comparably priced Esoteric to see what this hoopla is all about... if only there was a nearby dealer with both.

And yes, Tim my friend, it's going to be one fun ride!

Joey

 

[paulo m]

I want to hear Ayre's C5xe vs a comparably priced Esoteric to see what this hoopla is all about... if only there was a nearby dealer with both.

And yes, Tim my friend, it's going to be one fun ride!

Joey

Add to those two the new Wadia SACD player which includes an option for digital in. I've heard the Ayre and I own an Esoteric one notch above price-wise. Either one is excellent, with smoother sound and broader format support on the Ayre, more detail and better construction on the Esoteric. Why did I go with the Esoteric? Because I always dreamed of having a VRDS transport and because the NYC dealer for Ayre was an arrogant sob when I went there for my audition (he's one of those who like to tell customers what's good). In your case, just listen and see what you prefer.

 

[Joey_V]

Add to those two the new Wadia SACD player which includes an option for digital in. I've heard the Ayre and I own an Esoteric one notch above price-wise. Either one is excellent, with smoother sound and broader format support on the Ayre, more detail and better construction on the Esoteric. Why did I go with the Esoteric? Because I always dreamed of having a VRDS transport and because the NYC dealer for Ayre was an arrogant sob when I went there for my audition (he's one of those who like to tell customers what's good). In your case, just listen and see what you prefer.

I hate arrogant dealers..... good on ya with the Eso though! VRDS... the more I read about it, the more I.... lust.... over one.

 

[captain_tinker]

I hate arrogant dealers..... good on ya with the Eso though! VRDS... the more I read about it, the more I.... lust.... over one.

Dang, you and me both... I've been reading about the DV60 since someone mentioned it to me in one of these threads, and since then I've seen Esoteric mentioned several times, and how everyone seems to like it a lot. It looks perfect for what I would want. I would probably either go with that or the Marantz DV9600. I am sure that either one would just be flat out awesome!

-capT :rocker:

 

[paulo m]

I hate arrogant dealers..... good on ya with the Eso though! VRDS... the more I read about it, the more I.... lust.... over one.

It is worth noting that the Wadias use Teac/Esoteric transport mechanisms. I've lusted over a Wadia or Teac for 15 years now, ever since I saw pics of Wadias and heard a (then) state-of-the-art Teac P-1/D-1 combo. Over time, the Teac/Esoterics grew to look more like the Wadias, so I just had to go for one .

 

[David Matz]

I want to hear Ayre's C5xe vs a comparably priced Esoteric to see what this hoopla is all about... if only there was a nearby dealer with both.

Joey

I have heard both. At the same price point, Ayre is the clear winner. It takes a much more expensive Esoteric to beat the Ayre. Slapping a nice power cord on the Ayre puts it into even more amazing category.

One Esoteric model I have heard that I really like is the P-03/D-03 transport / dac combo (only $26K). The speakers were Wilson Sophias (nice but the Logan midrange is quite amazing also). Ayre is coming out with a new CD player in the upper teens price point also. Can't wait to do an A/B test.

 

[Diamonds]

I have heard both. At the same price point, Ayre is the clear winner. It takes a much more expensive Esoteric to beat the Ayre. Slapping a nice power cord on the Ayre puts it into even more amazing category.

One Esoteric model I have heard that I really like is the P-03/D-03 transport / dac combo (only $26K). The speakers were Wilson Sophias (nice but the Logan midrange is quite amazing also). Ayre is coming out with a new CD player in the upper teens price point also. Can't wait to do an A/B test.

The Ayre is a very good CDP but I personally don't believe it is in the class of the Esoteric. Just my two cents.