Esoteric SA-60 - Anyone have experience with it

[btf1980]

Does anyone have any experience with the Esoteric SA-60? Have you listened to it? Thoughts?

The only chink in my system is my SACD playback. I've been using a Marantz DV7001, which is quite good for such an inexpensive player, but it's time to retire it. I got a demo McIntosh MCD-201 from my dealer, and it had hum and noise issues. Replaced with another one and it was the same issue. I've written it off my list for now.

I auditioned a Primare DVD30 player, and side by side, the cheaper Marantz held its own. I don't know what that says about Marantz or Primare.

So now, I have the opportunity to get an Esoteric SA-60 for a relatively cheap price (half off list price), I haven't committed to anything, I just want the opinions of those who have experience with this player.

[Gremal]

I would not get an Esoteric after reading reviews by many who say the sound is too euphonic and syrupy. I would wait for the new Oppo. I may actually replace my PS3 with one since I rarely have time for games anymore.

[JJ]

I know it's not going to happen anytime soon - I've listened to low-level equipment mostly, but perhaps someday in the future, I long to be able to have the refined ear that can define sound as "euphonic and syrupy." I can't even imagine what that would sound like! I'm hungry for waffles after reading your post, G-Reg. Seriously though. I need to start going to hi-fi stores and just...listen.

[Gremal]

Actually, I'd recommend buying gear on a 30-day return policy and hearing it in your own system over going to a high end store. The high end shops local to me do not set their systems up optimally and most of the clerks are unfamiliar with the gear. There's no way to understand what a component will sound like in your room without actually trying it out. I've never had a good sense of how something sounds in a shop. Trade shows like CES are better, but if you can borrow a component, that would be the best.

[btf1980]

I got a couple of buddies bringing over their players to see how it sounds in my system. One Bel Canto PL-2, one McIntosh MVP861 and one Cary SACD player, don't know the model.

[Gremal]

I was very tempted to get the Cary.

[Halcro 1]

Cary is very good .. Remember listen to your ears ... Who would buy an oppo instead of an Esoteric wow ..... but You have B&W speakers .... very overrated and KEF smokes B&W the far superior British speaker

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

You have B&W speakers .... very overrated and KEF smokes B&W the far superior British speaker

That's subjective. I like B&W and find nothing overrated about the brand. All the accolades are well deserved. KEF is also a fine speaker line, I have heard many of their offerings.

[btf1980]

So I have listened to all the players, and suffice to say, i'll be sticking with my Marantz DV7001.

All connections were via analog to my prepro.

The Bel Canto unit was not discernible from the Marantz in any way, shape or form.

The MVP861 was much like the Bel Canto, the difference between it and the Marantz was nil. However, there was this low level noise. Is there something wrong with McIntosh players, they seem to have this ground level noise. We then used xlr connections and it was still there. It wasn't as bad as the MCD201, but it was there. No thanks.

The best in the bunch was the Cary player. It was all around wonderful. I put in my A Love Supreme SACD by John Coltrane, an album I know like the back of my hand, and man it just hits you when Trane starts hitting the sax. In the middle of the track he start chanting "A Love Supreme". It literally sounded like there was someone right there in front of us chanting "A Love Supreme". Just a great player. I just cannot justify the cost right now.

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by btf1980

Is there something wrong with McIntosh players, they seem to have this ground level noise. We then used xlr connections and it was still there. It wasn't as bad as the MCD201, but it was there. No thanks.

Quoting myself, but in case anyone was wondering. This apparently is a well documented problem with the McIntosh MCD-201. A buddy told me that firmware updates have fixed this.

[Gremal]

Honestly, I don't know about that particular amp, but if folks are interested in tube amps--or any amp for that matter--there are better choices than McIntosh.

[btf1980]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Honestly, I don't know about that particular amp, but if folks are interested in tube amps--or any amp for that matter--there are better choices than McIntosh.

The MCD201 is an SACD player.

[Gremal]

...better choices for those too.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Cary is very good .. Remember listen to your ears ... Who would buy an oppo instead of an Esoteric wow ..... but You have B&W speakers .... very overrated and KEF smokes B&W the far superior British speaker

Very subjective, indeed!

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

Who would buy an oppo instead of an Esoteric wow

The overwhelming majority of SACD adopters, including Kal Rubinson of Stereophile magazine who has similar tastes to mine. I find Esoteric a bit mushy sounding and they're just rebranded Teac. I think they convert the DSD to PCM and therefore don't let you really enjoy the advantages of SACD.

..... but You have B&W speakers .... very overrated and KEF smokes B&W the far superior British speaker

KEF are quality speakers for sure, and may be the better value than B&W depending what models we're talking about. But if we're talking the top of the line models, when B&W designed the diamond tweeter and upgraded the crossover electronics of the Nautilus models, it is no secret they left KEF and most other manufacturers far behind.