Absolute best source?

[crispy98007]

Hi Ken,

Yes it is a sickness, but a fun one. I have consistently found over the years that I prefer DACs based on the 24 bit Burr-Brown chipset rather than the AD Delta-Sigma 1 bit noise-shaping ones. The following seems to correlate with what I hear; a slight amusical brightness, that can seem like more detail but is really modulated high-frequency noise. The Esoteric uses 8 DACs per channel in parallel. Interesting reading here:

http://www.mother-of-tone.com/conversion.htm

I run the Estoteric stack directly via the analog output volume control to an Accuphase F-25V electronic crossover, which feeds 6 (transformer-based) Jeff Rowland power amps into heavily modified Klipschorns, with JBL 2226H woofers, Atlas midrange drivers, time-aligned tweeters in custom enclosures, and internal crossovers removed. All the electronics sit on a 6 shelf Grand Prix Audio Monaco rack with Kevlar/carbon fiber shelves and Black Diamond #4 racing cones throughout. Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects and speaker cables, and a Tice PB-3C-HP power conditioner round out the system. Currently on order is an Equitech 10RQ balanced-power isolation transformer which will reside in the electrical room. Electricians are coming out to install a 50A 240V line to feed it all. Video will follow next, I am planning on a Marantz VP-15S1 with a Stewart Studiotek 6 or 6.5' screen (video is least important to me). I have 2 Yamaha Motif ES-8 keyboards with various MIDI sound modules and a custom PC with an RME AES-32, a 16 channel AES/EBU digital input/output sound card. An RME ADI-192 format converter/sync device connects all that to the G-0s with word clock I/O (so everything is perfectly sample synced), and the sound card allows me to play keyboards along with music via a second digital input on the DACs.

I have 2 other systems in other rooms...do you prefer the Dynaudio Confidence series or B&W 803Ds? By the way I just got to hear the new Dynaudio Sapphires yesterday, the first pair in North America, before they go off to Stereophile for review...

Have sound, but alas cannot travel (the system weighs well over 2000 lbs...travelling requires Ipod) :-)

What is your system like? I liked the Meitner second best...

Cheers

Chris

[kennyt]

Chris,

I haven't listened to the 803D's, but in general I prefer the Dynaudio sound. I saw the Saphires @ CEDIA this year, funky looking speaker, and I would love to listen to them but....

I run Meridian's 861v4 and G98, an Esoteric DV-50s plus a host of Blu-ray and HD DVD players through a ML 433 and Proceed HPA-2 into whatever speakers are being reviewed this month, my reference are the Canton Vento's but must admit they haven't been in that system for a couple months now. All the front is wired with Transparent reference cables. Power comes from 5 dedicated 20A lines and two 15A lines all on their own panel.

So, as you can see, while I really like the EMM Labs gear, I too own Esoteric...

[deacongreg]

Never had the opportunity to hear the Linn CD12 that everyone loves. But, have heard Esoteric. Very, very clean, and quiet. Whether cds, sacds, or dvd-as, I was impressed with its retrieval of the music.

[kennyt]

I have to agree greg, for the money you will have a tough time beating the DV-50. I have gotten several folks (Silver Supra included) to buy one of these unheard and noone has seriously complained to me.

Chris has the upper end Esoteric stuff, which is a significant step up from there, I for one like the CD12 over the Esoteric as it is just SO DAMN MUSICAL!!!

[netAudio]

CD12 is dead, but what about Linn's new Klimax DS. Get a DEM and you will be blown away by the performance!!!!

I heard it at CEDIA and it totally blows the CD12 away.

[deacongreg]

Originally Posted by kennyt

I have to agree greg, for the money you will have a tough time beating the DV-50. I have gotten several folks (Silver Supra included) to buy one of these unheard and noone has seriously complained to me.

Chris has the upper end Esoteric stuff, which is a significant step up from there, I for one like the CD12 over the Esoteric as it is just SO DAMN MUSICAL!!!

That is good to hear kennyt. And, though you are saying the Linn is more musical, in todays world of formats, the Esoteric is probably considering quality, performance, and sound, and the ability to play multi - high res cds, is a better purchase overall. And, if you go with the next model that plays video as well, its hard to beat the Esoteric.