Esoteric K-01 / DCS Puccini / Playback MPS-5

fredtam

恭喜發財 gentlemen.
As I am going to have my Spectral DMC-30SS Series on hand by April (2 month wait time here), instead of getting DMA-260, want to hold on the Modwright KWA-120SE for the time being since I just have this for 2.5 years to push my Sophia 3 and wish to use the money to buy one of the following :
Esoteric K-01
DCS Puccini
Playback Designs DPS-5
they are almost in the same price range in New York here and I believe I can free up the money from DMA-260 plus new Spectral / MIT cable sets for a much better front end.
As you can see all these 3 units are SACD / CD player with Esoteric drive mechanism, thinking to use one of these for a long time and wish to use this as transport as well if necessary; plus the fact that I have a not too small collection of SACD which I have no intention to get rid.
Any suggestion or insight ?
I listen a lot of classical music, mostly chamber music and opera.
Jazz is not my cup of tea even though I have some but most of them are vinyl, so as my Beatles collection.
Thanks in advance.

CKKeung

Hi Fredtam hing,

What's the net price of Esoteric K-01 & dCS Puccini in New York?

fredtam

USD16500.00 net for K-01
USD18000.00 for Puccini (not too sure how much discount I can get)
USD16000.00 for Playback MPS-5 (no too sure how much discount I can get as well)
I will to a series of audition on these in New York and may be in Hong Kong early March if I have time.
any hint ?

CKKeung

fredtam 發表於 2013-2-13 00:15
USD16500.00 net for K-01
USD18000.00 for Puccini (not too sure how much discount I can get)
USD16000 ...

Pls check pm.

fredtam

thanks and just replied.

lovefancy

Many NY dealers carry all those brands in one shop, seriously its not hard to get an audition and to do A/B, just google it

fredtam

thanks.
The dealer I have been working with in NYC carries Spectral, Wilson Audio, DCS, MSB, Meridian and Naim, but not Esoteric and Playback Designs.
Will have to do some research then.

MM622

Why don't you go to test these CDP then make your own decision, trust your ears is the BEST choice.

I also a Esoteric CDP user, but I only have 2 SACD. Today many good recording CD has very high quality, not necessary to have many SACD then to buy a SACD Player.

huangkang

fredtam 發表於 2013-2-12 12:11
thanks.
The dealer I have been working with in NYC carries Spectral, Wilson Audio, DCS, MSB, Meridia ...

Which dealer in NYC you go? I am also in NYC.

fredtam

MM622 發表於 2013-2-13 01:48
Why don't you go to test these CDP then make your own decision, trust your ears is the BEST choice.
...

Thanks for your input MM622.
Since I am going to invest quite serious money here, at least to my humble standard and I wish to hold on this for quite some time, a second opinion will always be fruitful. If I do not have a lot of SACD, I will not go for a SACD player, and will for for Spectral 4000 CD players. FYI, I am using Accuphrase DP-77 for more than 7 years, it's time for me to move onto a next level especially when I got my Sophia 3 three Christmas ago.

fredtam

huangkang 發表於 2013-2-13 02:23
Which dealer in NYC you go? I am also in NYC.

Innovative Audio at 58th Street.

huangkang

fredtam 發表於 2013-2-12 14:51
Innovative Audio at 58th Street.

They look very hi-end, same as your gears! How much discount they will give to you? You can PM me. Thanks!

racewong

I vote Soulution 540

sims

I listened to both DCS Puccini + U clock and Playback Designs MPS-5.  Wanted to upgrade my SACD player but ended up buying neither.

Playback is very truthful to the recording, so great recordings will sound even greater.  But if you listen to less-than-perfect old classical recording, it will be reflected accurately.

DCS is more forgivable in terms of tonal balance, but definitely score lower points in terms of hi-fi attributes (inc. low level resolution, soundstage, dynamics....etc)

Think I will wait for an upgrade from DCS (see if they use Vivaldi technology on a single chasis player)

fredtam

sims 發表於 2013-2-13 12:19
I listened to both DCS Puccini + U clock and Playback Designs MPS-5.  Wanted to upgrade my SACD play ...

Thanks Race & Sims for your input.
While Soulution will be far beyond what I can afford, I will wait and see and meanwhile will visit an old friend - MSB Technology which I will have a chance to borrow the latest version of their Signature DAC IV together with the Data Transport for home audition by next month. This will be very interesting. Will share with you my experience by then.

ChoiChoi

I have sold my playback mps5 and now got MSB platilum dac4 plus with UMT, really happy and no regret.

fredtam

ChoiChoi 發表於 2013-2-14 03:32
I have sold my playback mps5 and now got MSB platilum dac4 plus with UMT, really happy and no regret ...

Dear Choi Choi,
Congratulations.
UMT = Oppo converted player ?
Are you going to run this DAC directly with your power amp or with preamp ?
I am told by MSB to run that with power amp without preamp for better result. If that's the case, I will discard my plan on getting Spectral DMC-30SS series 2 and I will not be getting the Spectral DMA-260 since it's not supposed to be run by itself or with pre-amp from other brands. Might have to look for another power amp like Pass Lab or Jeff Rowland then.

MUWA

Did you audition EMM LABS XDS1?

It is a SACD player and using ESO. mechanism as well.

fredtam

MUWA 發表於 2013-2-14 06:57
Did you audition EMM LABS XDS1?

It is a SACD player and using ESO. mechanism as well.

I did. The sound is very pleasant and comfortable. Did not realize the drive mechanism is from Esoteric. I did not put this brand on the list was because the price is beyond my budget and I found the prior model, it's the 2 chassis one, the mechanism was not quite responsive and I remember while I was playing an old CD from Clarity Record, the system crashed !

ChoiChoi

fredtam 發表於 2013-2-14 04:18
Dear Choi Choi,
Congratulations.
UMT = Oppo converted player ?

I havnt bought the preamp option in my MSB dac, cos I have my own preamp. UMT is the transport from MSB which they have modified from a oppo 95 blueray player. Together they perform really well.