Teac Esoteric P-01

andromedaaudio

VIP/Donor
Jan 23, 2011
8,500
2,843
1,400
Amsterdam holland
I am also in the process of going digital ,as a digidummie how does the MA 2 from meitner compare to zanden and esoteric for example , the meitner is a usb dac and player so i can get to use the mainsystem from the computer
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
I am also in the process of going digital ,as a digidummie how does the MA 2 from meitner compare to zanden and esoteric for example , the meitner is a usb dac and player so i can get to use the mainsystem from the computer

I have heard only the CDSA a long time ago...preferred Zanden. Just bear in mind if you go Zanden, you need to work at it: EAT Tube Dampers, replace the stock tubes and add a LOT of isolation. But do that (and for me personally) i have yet to find a digital source that has convinced me to change up. Again, totally personal preference. I just listen and listen and listen...

The Zanden 5000S DAC takes XLR, BNC, RCA and i2s inputs. Not USB. I wonder if the new Zanden 500 takes USB?
 
Last edited:

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
I am also in the process of going digital ,as a digidummie how does the MA 2 from meitner compare to zanden and esoteric for example , the meitner is a usb dac and player so i can get to use the mainsystem from the computer

Just checked...Zanden 500 is specifically for computer audio and does take USB as well as i2s, AES, SPDIF, DSD...

...http://www.ultrahighendreview.com/zanden-audio-develops-new-model-500-high-resolution-dac/

And from http://www.audiostream.com/content/zanden-model-500-dac

"The lovely and understated looking Zanden Model 500 DAC (estimated $7500) was shown in prototype form at CES 2015. Based on the ESS 9018 DAC chip, the Model 500 supports PCM resolutions up to 24/192 as well as DSD. Inputs include I2S, USB, AES/EBU, Coax S/PDIF, and DSD. The DSD input is SDIF (sometimes known as DSD RAW) and requires a special Zanden interface and cable that converts RJ45 to BNC. Outputs include single-ended RCAs and balanced XLR pairs."
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
From today's The Audiobeat website:

"Even with Zanden's full lineup of electronics, we still think of this Japanese company as being a digital specialist, because its Model 2000P transport and Model 5000S DAC remain the best CD-playback hardware we've heard. The new Model 500 ($7500 estimated price) is Zanden's first USB DAC and its first digital product that decodes data above CD resolution -- both PCM and DSD. In addition to USB, it features I²S input, which Zanden has championed with its other digital products, along with Zanden’s patented analog filter that maintains superior phase coherence. AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital inputs are also included, as are XLR and RCA analog outputs.

Given Zanden's expertise with CD playback, this DAC has us more excited about file playback than ever before."

For ( ME ) file playback is for my computer room NOT my main system no thank's.:)
PS: I did mention For me
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
For ( ME ) file playback is for my computer room NOT my main system no thank's.:)
PS: I did mention For me

i have not even gotten around to computer audio...just too busy enjoying the music!
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
I have heard only the CDSA a long time ago...preferred Zanden. Just bear in mind if you go Zanden, you need to work at it: EAT Tube Dampers, replace the stock tubes and add a LOT of isolation. But do that (and for me personally) i have yet to find a digital source that has convinced me to change up. Again, totally personal preference. I just listen and listen and listen...

The Zanden 5000S DAC takes XLR, BNC, RCA and i2s inputs. Not USB. I wonder if the new Zanden 500 takes USB?

You just listen and listen and listen and that is what you are suppose to do.:)
 

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2011
2,192
710
1,200
Alto, NM
Why are you posting about this versus the system Owner?

Quite bizarre IMO. :eek:
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
Why are you posting about this versus the system Owner?

Quite bizarre IMO. :eek:

Simply because i want to and i have the owner's blessing, he does not belong to the forum BUT i do, i am here to talk about audio and i love to, if you are not interested just move on.:)
 
Last edited:

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
News the Zanden 2000 premium as arrived at Mirabel in Montreal today late afternoon and my friend will pick it up tomorrow, i will come back to post some pictures and give a little report on HIS findings.:)
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
News the Zanden 2000 premium as arrived at Mirabel in Montreal today late afternoon and my friend will pick it up tomorrow, i will come back to post some pictures and give a little report on HIS findings.:)

great!
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
12,319
1,429
1,820
Manila, Philippines
What happened to your buddy's Andras?
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
What happened to your buddy's Andras?

Living in a condo he decided to buy the peace, the Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution is easier to live with.:)
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
The Zanden is in the system and it's looking real good, as for a report it will be in a couple of days.:)

Hi i am back to report that my friend as decided to keep the Zanden because it is for ( HIM ) a better match with is Jadis JS-1 MK4 DAC, both units are excellent but different. In his system the Zanden is more envolving and the Esoteric more clinical, it is simply a question of choice. ( tube vs solid state ) :)

Claude 11.jpg Claude 02.jpg
 
Last edited:

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
i have not even gotten around to computer audio...just too busy enjoying the music!

When navigating on the net i also like listening to music that's where the computer music comes in Itunes AIFF 1411kbps files most of my main music is imported into Itunes for the computer room sorry but if i want to be on audio forums i MUST be in the computer room and my main system is in the living room.:)

PS: I prefer my main system BUT music is music. :)
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
The Zanden is in the system and it's looking real good, as for a report it will be in a couple of days.:)

Hi i am back to report that my friend as decided to keep the Zanden because it is for ( HIM ) a better match with is Jadis JS-1 MK4 DAC, both units are excellent but different. In his system the Zanden is more envolving and the Esoteric more clinical, it is simply a question of choice. ( tube vs solid state ) :)

Great stuff!! Glad to hear it as a big Zanden-phile. If your friend is at all curious, i have personally found the Zanden 4-box sensitive to vibration in largely 3 of the 4 boxes...and the transport itself is largely NOT one of them! The PSUs are very very sensitive to vibration.

In my case, i use 4 Ultra 5s plus 4 HRS Nimbus Couplers under the Transport PSU plus 2 large HRS DPX (double thickness) dampers on top. Yes, i do add isolation under and on top of the transport, but the PSU showed even greater improvement in overall detail retrieval, stillness and solidity of images.

Finally, i use Entreq AC miniwraps around all the cables that run between the Transport and PSU...on both the receiving and sending ends...supposedly reduce EMI/RFI...all i can report is continuing naturalness, reduction of 'grunge'. Mine (2nd hand) did not have PC, so i use Purist Audio Ann Contego which works great.

Even without these tweaks, i was extraordinarily happy with the Zanden Transport...after 5 years of debating, hunting and deliberating over the cost of even a 2nd hand unit at a great price. With these tweaks i have been 'done' for a number of years now, and my music collection has exploded from 500 CDs to closing in on 2000...a good sign imho. i am just buying music.

Pls relay my congrats to your friend and hope he enjoys it for years to come...
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
Next for the Zanden's transport & psu will be the SRA IsoBase Ohio Class XL, crazy money but that's what he want's and when Elrocco wants something he usualy gets it.

http://www.silentrunningaudio.com/products/ohio_class_isobase.htm

Good call...i know a few Zanden owners that use them...great stuff apparently. At that price, he might consider Herzan active table from another owner who swears by them. BTW, is this the same elrocco who used to own a lot of Burmester years ago?
 

MrAcoustat

New Member
Jun 5, 2012
847
7
0
78
Quebec Canada
Good call...i know a few Zanden owners that use them...great stuff apparently. At that price, he might consider Herzan active table from another owner who swears by them. BTW, is this the same elrocco who used to own a lot of Burmester years ago?

No before the Lamm's my friend was a HUGE Conrad Johnson fanboy. NO tubes NO music.:)
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
14,430
2,518
1,448
No before the Lamm's my friend was a HUGE Conrad Johnson fanboy. NO tubes NO music.:)

Thanks...seems some commonality here between your friend and a few of us here (including me). I used to have SF Guarneris. Also, a big fan of CJ myself, having used a CJ preamp consecutively for 15+ years and at one time a CJ amp. After the CJ amp, I spent 2 years searching and finalized my amp decisions with Lamm vs Gryphon. Ended up with Gryphon for its greater flexibility in terms of ability to drive difficult-load large speakers.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing