Question for Neil Gader on Esoteric X05 Review
default -- Mon, 01/05/2009 - 19:55
Neil,
Thanks for a great read on a great product. I have the X 03 SE and just enjoyed reading about the 05.
I do have a few questions about your time with the CD player, if you don't mind.
How was break in? Did it take a very long time?
Did you listen through balanced or single ended outputs?
Did you use any isolation devices in lieu of te three feet and, if so, what did you use? Did you remove the feet?
Did you use an aftermarket power cord?
Appreciate the input. I am in process of recommending one for a buddy but would like to know the fine details.
Thanks! And keep up the great work.
Dennis
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What about the new SA-50 from Esoteric which digital output and input?
Greg,
You've got ESP- Actually Robert Harley just received one for review and will be reporting his findings in a forthcoming issue. Perhps he'll be weighing in on the forum soon.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Neil,
The reason I want an SACD player is because I hear a musically noticable improvement with SACD. If you're considering a CD player with digital input, are you of the opinion that a music server with an excellent high rez DAC can produce sonics as well as an SACD player such as the Esoteric X-05?
Presumably, by high rez DAC you mean via 24-bit/192kHz source material that some sites are offering like HRx from Reference Recordings (actually 24-bit/176.4kHz)? If so, then IMHO these would give SACD a run for the money. However there is still a wider array of SACD titles to be had in the here and now. Not to mention the aesthetic aspect of having your system tethered to a computer or other server-type piece of hardware–an issue many of the old guard find hideous. For what it's worth, if you already have a budding collection of SACD titles then by all means go for a premium player like the Esoteric. However, if you're of the generation raised on the computer and internet and don't even know how to spell SACD, stick to your server.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thanks Neil,
I think I'll buy a premium SACD player. Internet sourced high rez recordings seem to have the potential to supplant SACD as THE digital medium for audiophiles, but the day when there is a large library of downloadable high rez music AND premium hardware seems years away. Agree?
At this moment I doubt it. SACD is mature, refined technology with a great deal of software still available. It sounds great. High rez DACs and servers are still developing but consider PS Audio's Memory Player as just one example. It sounds fabulous. What is clear, is that the battle-lines have been drawn-the way we receive and store our music is changing. I want the highest rez that my system will support and I don't want it abandoned in the end in the way SACD failed to capture the interest of the high end.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Neil-
You are one of the few I know of who has extensive experience with both high-end disc players and high-end server based systems. How would you compare the sound of the PS Audio and Empirical Audio based systems to the high-end disc players such as the Esoteric?
Thanks
Neil, the ps audio player that you mentioned. Did you try it in your system ?Or In comparison to x05 or the new simaudio u have or relative to ur reference player? Or was it fabulous at a show? If you have some more info about that player do share with us. Also seems like some of these companies come out with new things and quickly within short time it dies out. Recall the "digital lens"by the same person?
The original post by Dennis caught my attention since he owns an Esoteric X-03 SE. As I read through the thread, I was hoping to find a comparison between the X-03 SE and the X-05 but couldn't find any.
Can Mr Gader or anyone shed some light on the two machines? Would the X-03 SE be worth the extra money over the X-05? Or is the difference so close that it makes more sense to get the less expensive X-05 due to the law of diminishing returns?
Also, what are the sound characteristics of the X-05 and the Ayre C5xeMP? Really need your help here as I depend a lot on reviews and forums to choose my equipment since it's very inconvenient for me to travel 200km to audition equipment every time. Thanks!
As Neil said in one of his posts...... the X-05 is reference caliber. The better players then that are almost 3 times the price like the Maridian 808, or Spectral but these require equally as top end associated gear to benifit from that, Otherwise having ex. the spectral cd player in a moderate system will not shine and likely dissapoint. From those who have tested the X-05 and Ayre C5xeMP its a toss up based on taste. Both in the top teir. I would consider the Berkeley Alpha DAC if high resolution and music server is your goal. Otherwise I'd go with the X-05 or Ayre C5xeMP if I had a huge collection of SACD that I planned on keep spinning. Although I believe SACD and DVD-A will die out if they haven't started already. The top end SACD players are for those who already have huge collections, otherwise overtime these players will dissapear, as will CD single disk players. Hard disk based music is the future and its here. Most all of my pals who used LP's and single disk players have switched to Wadia ipod docs or music servers......so my guess is that this trend is where we are headed to. The convenience factor alone is HUGE and with sound quality bettering the best of disk players on the fly, its a no brainer. Best of luck with your purchase.