Esoteric D-07

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Dan,
Sorry, I am getting to that today. I will post my thoughts a bit later tonight.

Jim.......No problem. I think I still have a few days left.

[Still-One]

The following are my initial thoughts on the Esoteric D-07 DAC that is on loan from my Dealer. I probably put about 8 hours of listening in from Friday afternoon 'till Sunday evening. When I inserted the unit into my system I just disconnected the XLR outputs and digital input from the MCD-500 and connected them to the D-07. Until this afternoon I was using a stock power cord on the Esoteric unit.

The first thing I noticed is that I had to increase the volume on my C-1000 from its normal position of around 40-41 to about 45-46 to get the same output from my speakers.

I knew that it would not as easy to compare the DAC's in the MCD-500 to those in the D-07 since I do not have enough of the same cables and connections to have both connected to my C-1000 at the same time. Therefore the MCD-500 has not been connected so I cannot quickly A-B the two units.

Right from the start I knew I liked the sound. Vocals were a little clearer and the overall sound a bit smoother. I am guessing I have been hearing some of the benefits of the apodizing filters on the leading edge of the notes.

The only negative I could identify during my listening sessions was a bit of missing bass content as compared to the MCD-500. If you remember my comments when I replaced a Esoteric X03-SE with the 500, I had noted that the bass was much better with the McIntosh unit. I sat here last evening and this morning wondering if this was a common trait with Esoteric gear. I decided to swap out the stock power cord for one of the Transparent Reference units I use on most of my gear. I think I have located the missing bass.

There is something else and it comes down to ones personal preferences. Awhile back I was comparing a Wadia unit in a showroom against the MCD-500. I preferred the MCD-500 because it presented a slightly more forward sound, especially on vocals. Some individuals place negative connotations on a "forward" sound, but either I define it differently or I just prefer it this way. The Esoteric D-07 is not quite as forward as my MCD-500.

Later this evening or tomorrow I will re-insert the MCD-500 into my system and see if I can confirm the differences I think I have been hearing.

Questions I am asking myself.
1) Do I really want to go back to separate DAC and Transport?
2) Do I want to cobble up my system mixing the look of McIntosh and Esoteric?
3) If I go with DAC/Transport here comes the extra expense for additional power cords and interconnects.
4) Do I borrow a D-05 or D-03 to match up with the D-07?

I think I will be calling the dealer to talk .

More to follow.
Jim

[jdandy]

Jim.......More questions than answers right now. This is interesting.

[-E-]

Out of curiosity, how much is the DAC by Esoteric?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

Out of curiosity, how much is the DAC by Esoteric?

I think the list price is $4800. I have a call into the the Dealer.

[Audio 1]

Yes, I do believe the list price is $4,800.00

[Face]

Originally Posted by Still-One

I think the list price is $4800. I have a call into the the Dealer.

I was told the same thing from a local dealer. He was only willing to take $3-400 off the list price.

[Audio 1]

Jim,

When I was using the D-07 my previous reference player was sold, so all I had on hand was an Oppo BDP83 SE for comparison. My initial observations almost mirrored yours:

-Lower output level even with the D-07 at maximum output.
-Biggest difference was in the midrange presentation.
-Smoother sound with less forwardness.
-Bass seemed similiar once the Esoteric was fully boken in, however I am still not convinced that the bass on the Esoteric is as robust, but without question very accurate.

Fun to read your observations after what I just encountered for the last 6 weeks or so.

Buddy

[Audio 1]

Face,

I can help you substantially with the price if you are interested in buying one.

PM me and I will be glad to help.

Buddy

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Audio 1

Jim,

When I was using the D-07 my previous reference player was sold, so all I had on hand was an Oppo BDP83 SE for comparison. My initial observations almost mirrored yours:

-Lower output level even with the D-07 at maximum output.
-Biggest difference was in the midrange presentation.
-Smoother sound with less forwardness.
-Bass seemed similiar once the Esoteric was fully boken in, however I am still not convinced that the bass on the Esoteric is as robust, but without question very accurate.

Fun to read your observations after what I just encountered for the last 6 weeks or so.

Buddy

Buddy
Yes, I am glad that you experienced much of what I am hearing.

I think the swap to the Transparent Power cord really brought back most of the missing bass.

If I get real ambitious tonight I will see if I can get the unit to accept the SACD output from my MCD-500 and see how it handles the 24/192 signal from my Olive 4HD.

Jim