#21
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Across the country in CA
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#22
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Is there something marked about esoteric you feel puts it firmly ahead of dcs, comparing across both at similar price point models? |
#23
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I understand that with dCS some of their gear is upgradable without a trade in. I would be very very happy to own either Esoteric or dCS as I believe their sound superb. I know that some would raise their eyebrows but I believe I have an extremely cost effective system. If I could, I would own Esoteric or dCS for digital. It really depends on where you want to spend your money, unless you have unlimited funds. crwilli is fortunate because he has found his speakers and his amps. I don't think he's "stuck" at all. He's in a really good place to move up the Esoteric line, if he wants and I am sure his Strads and 2301's would do the move justice. Charles Last edited by Charles; 02-08-2020 at 07:07 PM. |
#24
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If you have not been able to audition or find what you want by mid April, there is a huge audio show in Chicago in mid April. It is called Axpona. Everything that you have mentioned plus much more in all price ranges will be demonstrated there. You might want to check it out. Nice to have the problem you have! |
#25
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Higher End DACs
To Craig’s (crwilli’s) point - I think without hearing a DAC in your system over a period of time you will be hard pressed to make a decision based on Sonics. Shows are great for getting a feel for the gear, how it looks, how it might fit into your home. But as a way to audition high performance DACs? Let’s just say it will be very difficult to come to any conclusion that is based on Sonics. There are just too many variables outside your control to make a meaningful sonic judgement of a high performance DAC at a show.
You could bring your own closed back headphones, amp, and source material. That would work, maybe. You would also definitely be a pariah. To Marc’s (2FastDriving’s) point there is a lot more to the decision than Sonics alone. So this is a very high class problem and the good news is that all these products are excellent in their own right and ‘better’ is in the ears and eyes of the beholder. Buying Esoteric or dCS based on reputation alone is a very low risk scenario!
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v Last edited by W9TR; 02-08-2020 at 09:01 PM. |
#26
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Higher End DACs
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Hey Charles, For sure moving up the Esoteric line would not be a move backward but I honesty am not sure it would be a step forward or at least a big enough step to justify the cost. I have given thought to finding a DAC with a volume control and selling my K-03x, Cybershaft Clock AND my C1100 PreAmp to pay for it. The Lampizator Pacific or GG come to mind. But there is no way I would make that big a move without being able to audition it in my room. I am just too risk adverse on a retirees budget. To the OPs question, when starting out the issue is simpler. Jump into a brand you learn to trust as high up the line as you feel comfortable with. Find a couple of them and then zero in on as much comparison listening as possible. Once you buy it, enjoy the heck out of it until you become like me, and see things seemingly evolving. THATs when the really tough decision occurs.
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack Last edited by crwilli; 02-08-2020 at 10:53 PM. |
#27
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Two questions are really coming to mind as I look into this further and gather more and more understanding: 1) are there ANY generalities that could be shared in terms of sonic ‘signature’ when considering DCS/Esoteric/MSB/T+A DACs or transports? Those are the brands I am fishing around in...would any thought to be a better pairing with the c1100/611s I would be running through? 2) Within a given brand, what are folks’ thoughts on when diminishing returns really kick in across the respective lines: DCS; Bartok - Rossini - Vivaldi MSb; Premier - Reference - Select Actually, I guess a couple other questions (I think more solely dependent on what I want, however, but I would still be curious if others have thoughts); 3) The idea of a CD player/transport is still hanging around...I dont have a large cd collection at all (pitiful, tbh)...but for some reason, whether it is the physical medium/ownership/familiarity from my youth) I keep wondering if I should think of getting a 2-box transport/DAC or an integrated player/DAC, rather than just a DAC and streamer. 4) Originally, after getting my Mac setup, I was going to get a vinyl setup. Once I started to understand how high the costs could go on a really great vinyl rig, however, I decided to postpone and just go digital with its convenience and lower cost outlay. As I have been delving more into the digital research, I find myself sliding into more expensive areas than I was originally thinking of negating some of the benefit of going the ‘lower’ cost solution vs analog... I still think the digital pieces I am thinking of are still less than the outlay for the phono (I was thinking like CA Master Innovation/ goldfinger just to give a sense of outlay) but its not as big a price difference as originally if I am thinking about something like Vivaldi or MSB or 2-box transport/DAC... Any thought on making a BIG investment in the DAC (and potentially player/transport/streamer) setup vs REALLY BIG investment in turntable/arm/cartridge? I realize it all comes down to what I want - and no one can really answer that for me - but I’ve been trying to get some clarity myself and any and all views could be quite helpful...it’s exciting and agonizing at the same time Sorry, for the rambling but appreciate any thoughts! |
#28
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#29
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Regarding the digital vs analog, you need to determine how much you will actually use the vinyl rig. It's a lot of work and hassle to do vinyl but it is also rewarding. As for the cost.. I don't think you need to buy a gold finger to be very very happy. That's overkill for your first setup IMHO. You can put together a great analog setup for much less.
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#30
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crwilli I looked into the Lampizator Pacific. Absolutely beautiful gear but too exotic for me. I think your instincts are very good. For example a Rossini Player has a volume control. Eliminating the classic pre is an excellent idea. It's what I did. I haven't regretted it.
It has expandability and upgradability. It's beautiful. It's established with excellent reputation. Although quite expensive, it's is affordable. Certainly an alternative to Esoteric. In regards to Ivan's generous offer. Ed Meitner is in the same class as Nelson Pass or Dan D'Agostino. I don't know if his DA2 has a volume control and exactly what you are looking for. It may be more of a stand alone dac. The Rossini is quite competitive with my D1100 regarding digital inputs and really functions like a digital pre. It's inputs are staggering to say the least. Charles I just noted it does not support SACD. I would have to have SACD. Esoteric Players do. Many of my very best recordings are on SACD. Last edited by Charles; 02-09-2020 at 06:44 AM. |
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