It lists for twice as much. It should sound better
Well @paul172 I also had a follow up session after the show at a Hifi Store reopening - AudioConnections Sydney - part of the organization is the importer for Gryphon has been for 30 years and a large % of the Australian hifi market. The Apex really are stunning without a doubt and if money was no object they would be sitting in my room. Honestly you go to these events and they play tracks that just wouldn’t get a run at my place, when i heard and saw the Estelons at the show i went nah but seeing them up close they are a sexy looking speaker and vocals where really really good - if only i could get a hold of that playlist
thinking back at the show i would say these speakers and the FR30 (and not saying that because this is a PS forum) where best at show but gee there was some very poor setups even the gryphon show setup v showroom significantly different . makes me wonder about future shows
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It might not be twice as much if you figure it cost $12k for the streamer like mine, and $8k for the DAC which is slightly more than the DS.
$20k for the N-01XD and $18k for the N=03t + DS.
The Estelons really have my attention. Can’t wait for the Commander and Apex to arrive. Sounds like it will be the middle of August. Sigh.
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Looks like this Commander is one dandy of a preamp! I read Micheal Fremer’s review on it in latest Stereophile and he said some really nice things about it.
So your brother used RCA digital from the CD transport to the Esoteric and then disconnected the Esoteric and used the RCA digital from the CD transport into the DS to compare? So the input into the DS was neither USB nor I2S?
That is correct. He’s still working on getting the streamer section to work. It will not read files from his Apple computers but seems like Microsoft works though. He’s working on transferring data around to a Windows computer, but it might take forever to do. He’ll get back to me once he figures everything out and do a better comparison.
Well that reduces the impact of the destruction of the DSD SR.
It also eliminates credibility somewhat.
My brother likes the gear I give him too. He keeps bringing it up.
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Like Grimm Audio, Esoteric does not use I2S.
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That bad eh…gee whilikers…Mine stock DS sounds awesome
to my ears…
Well Ted and Paul sure have their work cut out for them to test
the new to be released DS MkII vs the Esoteric dac…
You might want to clue Ted and Paul in on this tid bit
Thanks waymanchen
Best wishes
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Well David, I also don’t believe the PS Audio DAC is that bad. I think my brother is a just a little excited about his new toy and is a little over zealous, and I do remember when he brought over his stock PS Audio DAC over to my place, my DAC with the XS4400 and Ultimate Premier fuse mod also blew away his stock DAC, it wasn’t that close either. Now with the M-1 and RF absorber on the display panel, it’s even better. He at the time said himself that my DAC sounded like a whole different DAC. I’ll, when he is ready, bring over my DAC or him bring over his Esoteric and we’ll have a more proper shootout. Should be fun.
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So understandable…I know I get excited over my new toys…
er…M1 fuses 
So looking forward to the shoot your modded DS vs the Esoteric…
should be a lot of fun!!
Thanks guy!!
Best wishes
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SR Quantum Orange fuses are in the house for P10, DMP and DS Sr.
Installed in PP and transport. DAC will have to wait until I have some time and inspiration to open the chassis to install the fuse.
System sounds good, but have not noticed any material impacts (for good or Ill) to performance yet.
More to come after some extended listening.
(Thanks to the fuse upgraders for selling their cast offs to me.)
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My NAS is loaded with music. My Pink Faun Roon Server is reading the drives now. It has been a challenge to get this underway. I needed Jord from Pink Faun to work with my system to get Roon to see my NAS. I have not listened yet. I will soon. The NAS is grinding away as Roon looks at all the files. Fun?
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So happy that I and my financial advisor have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. 
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I find that with SR Blue and Orange, the differences to stock are harder to tell, I had to listen more intently and for longer periods to hear any difference, but with SR Purple and M-1, the differences are greater therefor more easily heard. I heard differences right away with the latter two fuses.
Well that’s awfully convenient @waymanchen11 (a/k/a fuse pusher-man).
Unless and until the latest and greatest/all the rage fuses start to get replaced and become available on the used market for less than half of their typical, actual retail price, I will be pausing at the SR Orange level and focusing on other areas of potential system improvement.
That said, I am going to take a look at my non-PSA kit and see if SR Orange fuses might be in order.
In all seriousness, thanks for the input/feedback.
SEE
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Is that a legal business?
Ha ha…
Best wishes
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Embarrassed, here I thought Nas was the name of the maid on the Jettsons. lol
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Rosie I think was her name lol
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