#11
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toga-- sorry for the delayed response. i was out of town for few days......
if you are now auditioning the accuphase, and comparing it to the esoteric p/d-02(which i did, among others), and soulution 540- several things should stand out--- the accuphase mechanism is very quiet, alot quieter then the esoteric's. also, it is very smooth and simply project gorgeous sound. no sacd player that i have had, sound as true to the sacd platform as this accuphase duo.(had the dp-85 or 75 model years ago as well). i'm not sure about the bass complaint- i find the accu's bass to be very articluate with just the right slam.btw, they take about 100 hours to really sound complete, so what might be lacking in bass, maybe resolved once the hours pile up. to my ears ,the esoteric p-01/d-01 combo was great in detail retrieval but was cold and sterile in comparison to the accuphase. the later are also very clean sounding yet, warmish and so muiscal to the ears! hope this helps, and please let us know which you ended up with. Last edited by ozy; 05-09-2012 at 07:51 AM. |
#12
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Thanks so much Ozy,
No more bass problem. I swap power cords and I get the right bass. Sound of 900.901 was so good that I don't care to listen to anything else anymore. Problem is that Esoteric dealer convinced me to wait until next month, they will send 02 to my home to listen. I also get an incredible offer on Burmester 111 too. During listening, I use Transparent PLMM2 with 900 and AQ NRG100 with DAC, this set up was much more better than using AQ WEL on both. WEL on both made very bright and glassy sound with light bass. So, I moved WEL to connect power amps instead. Now I really like sound of 900/901, but same complaints remains, very uselessly small display, no sampling rate displayed, and display that cannot be dimmed. Chance is that I will get 900.901 if it not cost a lot more than Esoteric 02. If it cost a lot more but sound a bit better, then I might go with Esoteric to save $$$. I glad to know that you also heard 02 before you purchase 900/901, that assure me that my ears are quite ok that I like 900/901 so much as well. Now my pre amp is ARC Ref40 and Moon's powerful W7M as power amp. Dealer convince me to buy 900/901 together with C3800 and new 200w class A amps coming soon. What do you think ? I am sure C3800 will be great, but I am also sure that Ref40 is just as great too. However, I am interested in new amps which will be coming in August 2012. Toga P.S. I love your system.. and listening room too. |
#13
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I would be interested to read your impressions from comparing C3800 and Ref 40.
A close friend of mine sold his C2810 (so a step below in Accu lineup) and got himself ARC Ref-5 (non SE) a year ago. There was no contest - Ref 5 was much better than his C2810. |
#14
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Adam, I will inform you as soon as they bring C3800+A65 for me to try, will post as new topic. Frankly I think Ref40 can be competitive with C3800. Thinking about C3800 only because of cosmetic reason in case I purchase DP900/DC901. I Sold Moon P8 RS right away and purchaseก Ref5 too, 2 years ago, then a week later I upgraded to Ref40. But I owned Accuphase before when I was teenager, and there is something to love about owning them. If only they make top preamp with beefy,separate power supply.
Actually there are review of both Ref40 and C3800, not direct comparison, by same Magazine, in Chinese. here. Google Translate Last edited by TOGA; 05-10-2012 at 12:32 PM. |
#15
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Here's a review of C-3800 and A-65 in the German magazine Hifi&Records
http://www.monomedia.de/hifi_%26_rec...800%3AA-65.pdf In English Last edited by wizard; 05-11-2012 at 11:29 AM. |
#16
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toga-- to my ears, the accuphase trumps all other conteders in the latest digital incarnations. accuphase emphasis is on bit rate(32) and not frequency rate. that's their strength and it shows in their sound. as for the small dispaly ,etc- not that crucial to me -- the trade off in sound quality makes up on the minor drawbacks.
btw, thanks, i'm enjoying this system immensly. |
#17
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Source said, Accuphase HQ guarantee they will not make music server/media player of any kinds as DP900/DC901 always sound better. But I've heard this kind of promised from other before, and at the end they changed their mind.
If my ears confirm that Accu is more musical than 02 and not too much more expensive then I should place order in a few months, need a bit more saving. Ozy, will you pls explain main different between Esoteric P02/D02 that you said you've tried as well and the 900.901 ? Wasn't 35 bit Esoteric better than 01 or 03 that you have explained to me ? Toga |
#18
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Ozy, did you have a chance to compare your 900/901 to the latest MSB Platinium IV DAC ?
A friend of mine, 800/801 owner, is looking for a new front end. He has a Scarlatti stack and MSB Platinium IV DAC / Data IV combo with Femto Clock on loan right now. He was thinking about giving a try to the 900/901 as well, but after reading only a lukewarm review of 900/901 in the Polish AUDIO, he wasn't sure if it is worth his time and effort. |
#19
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toga----the d-02 sounded a lot more resolving and open then any of the esoteric gear i have had(p/d-03, p/d01vu). that said, it still sounded quite sterile and a bit harsh in its presentation. to my ears ,the accu 900/901 sounds more organic, tonally accurate, and simply gorgeous to listen to. will it be to your taste? only you can answer it.
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#20
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adam--- no, the msb platinum was not on my short list. maybe it should have been. on the few occasions i heard it at ces, it was quite good.
i read the polish review of the 900/901 and didn't think it was a lukewarm review. quite the contrary. maybe something was lost in the transaltion? plus ,we all know what reviews are for......... for the most part. having had the dp-75 years ago, i can attest that accuphase reowrked their sound , and came out with a winner with the 900/901. as mentioned to toga, it may not be your or your friend's cup of tea ,but it should be a consideration in the top 3 digital set ups. just my $0.02. |
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