Esound E5

[dc_tubes]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and would like to know if anyone has any experience and comments about the Esound E5. I am considering getting one but am worried I may be disapointed with it in comparison to the Theta Miles I am currently using. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[maf_au]

Hi dc_tubes,

Well, not much I can say, except that this player has gotten itself a lot of positive forum reviews. The general consensus seems to be that it's a step or two above it's price, and to be fair, it's price would be at least double what it is if it was sold through a normal distribution network.

Good Points:

It's buzzword compliant. It has a fancy clock and clock distribution network; A class A output stage; Good transport; Arguably good DAC, although there is more to the DAC than the chip employed; It's built like no other - 25+lbs weight; It's been compared favorably against players costing multiples of it's price.

Bad Points:

Balanced outputs are not via the class-a output stage, they utilise some opamps, and apparently don't sound so hot; No local support if something goes wrong; You cannot audition it before purchase unless you happen to know someone in your area with one.

There seems to be a lot of interest in it over at www.head-fi.org, so I'd reckon that you could probably buy one, and if you didn't like it, resell it for cost or close to it.

Good luck with it. I've not heard or seen ever the E5 or Theta Miles, so I cannot help you there...

Michael