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In Reply to: Re: Reference Audio Mods Esoteric X-01 SACD Player (Modded) posted by Dave Garretson on March 6, 2007 at 17:11:25:
Yes, after the mods, I did notice that the gap between SACD and Redbook had widened considerably. IMO, the quality of the output stage is absolutely crucial.
Follow Ups:
Andy, with mine, redbook sounds like SACD used too, it is frikin amazing what my 20 dac's per channel pull from the redbook, just FABULOUS.
"RBCD...sounds like SACD used too"I assume you are saying that RBCD on the APL 2.5 equals or surpasses SACD on the stock Esoteric. I agree this is certainly possible with a well-modded SACD/RBCD player. But I would guess that comparing formats on the same modded player, SACD beats RBCD hands down.
Several posters have reported that RBCD on the APL 2.5 surpasses very high quality vinyl in some respects. This has been my observation as well with my modded SCD-1. But if this is so, I would think that the further advance of SACD on the modded APL or perhaps the RAM/Esoteric will definitively better even the best vinyl. I don't know whether you or Quint have a TT to make the comparison... but I have proved the the point myself against a Lyra Helikon, Graham 1.5tc, VPI TNT w/flywheel, and BAT P10 and Atma-Sphere MP-1 phono stages.
To extend the point to MC, show me a SACD MC system that is faithful to the musical truth in manner of the best vinyl....and buy it if you can find one for less than 5x the price of a SOTA 2CH SACD or vinyl rig.
Dave:I fully agree with you about a great modified CD player's ability to hang with, and in many cases, better even the best vinyl on many points. At some point, however, the fundamental differences between digital and analog playback will lead most audiophiles to prefer one or the other--I greatly prefer digital--so I think it ultimately comes down to preference. That said, I've had exposure to some of the best turntables out there. I've owned a tricked-out LP12, SME 20 and 30, and Kuzma, among others. I've heard the Continuum, Rockport Sirius II and III, Walker Proscenium, Brinkmann Balance, and a few other uber-tables at various people's homes over the years, and, granted you can't make an apples-to-apples comparison because the systems were all so different from mine, but I'm hearing sound that I think is pretty special and can easily compete with the best vinyl setups out there. Of course, saying that here is tantamount to heresy and deserves a good burning! :)
"At some point, however, the fundamental differences between digital and analog playback will lead most audiophiles to prefer one or the other..."Problem is I think with recent equipment it's gotten tougher to find any "fundamental" differences between the digital & analog. It's as you say a matter of taste and a test of vocabulary to describe the relatives merits. In my set-up, relative to vinyl SACD (and to a lesser extent RBCD) has more throw weight, rock-solid bass control & extension, silkier midrange & treble, bigger envelope-- all the audiophile superlatives. Vinyl does slightly better transients on strings and brass & seems in general a bit more vivid & honest. I can hear the shortcomings of vinyl to a greater degree than digital but the vinyl format is very forgiving. Digital is ruthless and needs to be taken to the highest level to obtain escape velocity from listener fatigue. But the latest CDPs are definitely over the top.
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