In Reply to: Esoteric 5-box ----Meitner shootout-----tomorrow posted by mikel on February 4, 2005 at 20:49:59:
Fact: The Meitner gear sounded MUCH better than the Esoteric with all recordings I listened to.
Fact: The Esoteric gear is gorgeous, the Meitner gear at best tolerable to look at.
Opinion: Something was wrong with the Esoteric system. SACD sounded no better than ordinary redbook. It did not sound like SACD to me. Whether this was cabling (digital or otherwise), break-in, a defect in the gear, I do not know. I have heard many SACD players and the SACD layer sounded so much like ordinary red-book that I even asked if there was a misstake in the playback medium. This is NOT to take anything away from Mikel and friends who worked very hard to make the Esoteric system set up as perfect as possible. In fact, I could see nothing wrong with the set up at all. But something was not right with the sound for an SACD player.
Conclusion: I would like to hear the Esoteric optimally set up by the manufacturer, distributor or knowledgeable dealer before making a final conclusion.
N.B. I own the Meitner transport and DCC2, and am very happy with it (except for the looks).
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Follow Ups
- A different opinion on this subject from one who listened.... - Bud 02/7/0510:16:31 02/7/05 (3)
- Re: A different opinion on this subject from one who listened.... - Jonathan Tinn 23:01:22 02/7/05 (0)
- Yes, it sounds like it needs more extended listening or different samples/setup. - cjfrbw 12:51:43 02/7/05 (0)
- Two more possibilities.... - Bud 10:31:25 02/7/05 (0)