ESound E5 CDP - any opions please?

michaelmickj7 · « **on:** 8 May 2006, 10:10 pm »

Has anyone heard this CDP - I was thinking of getting the signature version.

I currently have Marantz CD63se with Mcintosh MA6900 and PMC FB1 speakers.

I'm looking for a smooth sound and really good bass. I'm not looking for an analytical sound.

I was considering the Vincent CD6 as I've read it has excellent bass.

Many thanks for any help, you can give,

Mick.

mojoman · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 May 2006, 03:29 am »

This player is popular over at Head-Fi. You might search there for some opinions. It seems to be pretty highly regarded for the price.

kavu · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 May 2006, 05:09 pm »

Demoed one briefly in my system...it lost out in almost every category to my mensa di/o going into a parasound belt-driven transport...

decent value for the price, but I don't endorse the head-fi raves.

jeffjazz · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 May 2006, 04:29 am »

Quote from: kavu

Demoed one briefly in my system...it lost out in almost every category to my mensa di/o going into a parasound belt-driven transport...

decent value for the price, but I don't endorse the head-fi raves.

i wonder how long it was in your system. i did not like it either until I broke it in for about 100 hours after which it smoothed out and trumped my Jolida JD100 with NOS 5751 GE tubes. I also have a Dio not to Mensa level though, and I prefer the Esound.

Hogg · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 May 2006, 05:39 pm »

I have the East Sound CD-5. It's a good player for $700. The only two players that have bettered it in my system are the Talk Thunder 3.1b and the Naim CD5x with Hicap2. It doesn't have the bass of the Talk or the drive of the Naim but it's very good for the money. I found working with Cattylink to be easy and a pleasure. My unit arrived with a broken transport motor mount. Cattylink has a service center in Florida. I sent it there and had a new transport installed; all free.

Jim

kavu · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 May 2006, 04:31 am »

Well, I didn't hit 100 hours with, that is true....
however, it was not a new player, I bought it second-hand with plenty of hours on it.
Also, my di/o has the upgraded power supply...which helps a lot (mensa mod makes a huge difference). Still looking for a piece that will beat it...

i wonder how long it was in your system. i did not like it either until I broke it in for about 100 hours after which it smoothed out and trumped my Jolida JD100 with NOS 5751 GE tubes. I also have a Dio not to Mensa level though, and I prefer the Esound.[/quote]

eric the red · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 May 2006, 07:44 am »

Quote from: michaelmickj7

Has anyone heard this CDP - I was thinking of getting the signature version.

I currently have Marantz CD63se with Mcintosh MA6900 and PMC FB1 speakers.

I'm looking for a smooth sound and really good bass. I'm not looking for an analytical sound.

I was considering the Vincent CD6 as I've read it has excellent bass.

Many thanks for any help, you can give,

Mick.

Rega Jupiter. Preowned for @ $750.00 now that Rega is introducing a new cdp line up. The Jupiter is a fabulous, fun to own cdp.

michaelmickj7 · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 May 2006, 09:24 pm »

thanks to you all. I keep hearing good things about the regas.

trouble is I don't really know if the CD63se CDP is bright. It sounds bright to my ears.Good bass and detailing but a bit too bright in the HF.
I'm wondering if it's the CDP. What is the recognized sound of the CD63se?

many thanks again.

PhishPhan · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 May 2006, 11:26 pm »

I just recently got a CD-E5. It is the best player I've owned yet. I'm still breaking it in but it sounds wonderful. I've been told to use the RCA outputs over the balanced outs for several technical reasons that are beyond my understanding.

It's built like a tank and has great synergy with my Jungson JA-88D amp.

prokennex · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Jun 2006, 01:50 am »

I can't comment on the CD-E5, but I did find the marantz 63CDse to be bright. Using it with my Dodd 120's I found the player to have to much sibilance and brash on the highs. This was easily revealed by the Dodd gear and the Sl3 electrostats. It did have pretty good base and wasn't a bad player in its time. I'm now using a modified sony xe670 with lc audio clock and zapfilter. Doesn't quite have the base of the marantz but it's not near as bright and has more detail with better extended and refined highs.
Not thinking about upgrading the digital source until I finish treating the room with eightnerve products. They make as much difference as components.

Ray

michaelmickj7 · « **Reply #10 on:** 2 Jun 2006, 08:31 pm »

That's my thoughts about the marantz also. I've read that the CD63se was warm and that the newer Marantz CD players were brighter.
I can't believe they could be any brighter than the CD63se.

I'm thinking of trying some vibropods under it to see if it will tame the treble and make the bass more tuneful.

As a reggae fan would the ESound suit my tastes?
I've also considered the Vicent CD6(mase by Sheng ya I believe) which I've heard has strong bass.

fajimr · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Jun 2006, 07:09 pm »

just wanted to add my 0.02 to the break in... I am currently in the process of rebuilding my system (literally) so when I got the E5, it was part of a midfi system.... nevertheless, it was a bit bright at the beginning, even a bit difficult to listen to for extended perionds of time but then it broke in (100 hrs sounds right).... and sounded very nice. I am looking forward to integrating it into a system with a toobed pre-amp. One person I talked to said it matched up very well with a RAKK (??) DAC.... couldn't say personally. go over to head-fi as perviously suggested as there are pages and pages of reviews... good luck with your search!

michaelmickj7 · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Jun 2006, 07:52 pm »

Thanks Jim. much appreciated. From what you've told me it doesn't sound like what I'm after.I'm looking something with good bass and mids but a not bright treble, even a recessed treble would be better than a too prominent one IMO.

rosconey · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Jun 2006, 09:07 pm »

look for a vincent tube cdp -
i have a shengya(they make vincent)and it sounds just like what your after-
rock solid bass,great mids and vocals with a smooth easy top end-no glare-

you can listen all day

you should be able to find one on your side of the pond

btw-find a telefunkin diamond bottom tube for it

fajimr · « **Reply #14 on:** 6 Jun 2006, 12:16 pm »

Quote from: michaelmickj7

From what you've told me it doesn't sound like what I'm after.I'm looking something with good bass and mids but a not bright treble, even a recessed treble would be better than a too prominent one IMO.

mick- just to restate that this player was in a friend's so-so system so I wouldn't want to make any claims about bass, mids or treble (especially since I was not that familiar with their system).

I would probably describe it as more analytic than warm.