Anyone compare Esoteric with DCS?

[TOGA]

I would like to know what I can expect changing from Esoteric P03/D03 to DCS Paganini 4 pieces stack.
My Esoteric are pretty good but just wanna know the differences between these two brands.. Such as tonality, dynamic, musicality.
Toga.

[amati]

Originally Posted by TOGA

I would like to know what I can expect changing from Esoteric P03/D03 to DCS Paganini 4 pieces stack.
My Esoteric are pretty good but just wanna know the differences between these two brands.. Such as tonality, dynamic, musicality.
Toga.

Toga, i haven't compared the Esotaric but i do have compared the DCS with the MSB platinum Signature. After that i got the MSB for a week at home.
I ordered the MSB platinum Diamond. I really can recommend you to give the MSB a try for an audition. Look for a review overhere:
http://www.msbtech.com/reviews/HFC21...rez-Review.pdf
They work very well with the DD Momentum's.. http://www.audioaficionado.org/wilso...ha-w-p-17.html
To me it's the best sounding CD/DAC at the moment which i have heard.
I haven't heard everything offcourse

[TommyC]

At this price, you should also consider Burmester's belt drive CD player. 069 or 089.

[TOGA]

Thanks, MSB is technically interesting, but I just don't like the designs.
For Burmester, no official distributor in the country yet.
I happen to like designs of DcS and Wadia.
Just interesting to know the difference in sonic character between DCS and Esoteric.
But no plan to purchase yet. New power amps have priority .

[jdebonth]

In this price category I would definitely also consider the new (2010) Weiss Medea +

[jfrech]

Toga, I replaced a Esoteric DV50s with a dCS Puccinni and U clock. Now the price diff here is substantial. The dCS is much much more natural in the top end...closer to a vinyl presentation (I run vinyl about 80% of the time). I have buddy that has the esoteric separates. This same top end signature I could clearly hear is his set up also...I am not saying the dCS is right and the Esoteric is wrong.

My Wilson's (maxx 3's) I have to be careful with matching (the tweeters can get a bit hot on top), dCS is a wonderful match with the Wilsons....

This is NOT a fair comparison, many different variables....hope this helps a bit

[Car commander]

I had a Esoteric X03 SE and replaced it with a DCS Puccinni. The Punccinni is more musical and more detailed. It should be it's twice the price. I also tried a 808.3 it was not to my ears better than the Esoteric.

[asiufy]

TOGA,

I've replaced the exact same models of Esoteric gear, that I loved, for the DCS Puccini+U-Clock, and never looked back.
My deal with the dealer was that he could bring it for a demo. The DCS had to be clearly and immediately better than the Esoteric for me to keep it.
I've used a Stevie Wonder track that I know well, and as soon as Stevie started singing, I hit STOP and grabbed the checkbook...
So, yes, the DCS is that much better, more natural, more transparent. It *is* literal, as some people like to put it, but I like it that way.


alexandre

[JSCC]

To be fair, the price point (over here) for the dCS Puccini+U Clock is far greater than that of the Esoteric X03SE. Should compare to the same price point the new K-01.

Personally, I preferred the dCS BUT I would not say the K-01 is much lesser. To be fair, its so new, difficult to do an "A" "B" comparison and certainly no home auditions as they are represented by different dealers!

The only thing the Meridian "lacks" is SACD playability. In my system, the 808.3 beat the dCS hands down. Maybe its because of overall system compatibility, as the 808.3 are from the same factory and hence the algorithm matches perfectly with each other - all the way to the speakers! All said and done, all 3 machines are great ones. I would and can live with any one of them - which I did .. the 808.3.

If I can build a second system, the dCS Puccini+U Clock OR the Esoteric K-01 would be high on my list.

Cheers!

[ozy]

iwas at last ces show 2 weeks ago and listened specificlly to -- stahl-tek, dcs scarletti, the soulution 745(they only had the 540 playing), the new esoteric p-02/d02,& neodio.
the dcs scarletti had the most life and vividenss. the stahl-tek was the most annalog- like.
the new esoteric had more resolution compred to the stack i'm using, but was also "drier'" in its presentation. the540 was incredibly detailed and refined. i can only imagine just how good the 745 would be....
so which one did i pick to replace my esotericp-01/d/01? none yet, but tbc....:-))