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What do you guys think about XP-33?

post #1 of 25
8/20/03 at 12:53am
Thread Starter 
hey everyone:
In my country someone´s selling an awia xp-33. Is it worth the buying?
Thanks
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post #2 of 25
8/20/03 at 12:59am
I assume you can get it cheap?
As long as it is in good working condition, or you can DIY any repairs, go for it, you will be pleasantly surprised
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post #3 of 25
9/8/03 at 2:42pm

Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by seis66
hey everyone:
In my country someone´s selling an awia xp-33. Is it worth the buying?
Thanks
I just got an Aiwa XP-33 PCDP on eBay. It sounds just terrific- extremely powerful through the headphone jack and quite good through the line out. The sound is visceral yet transparent, sonorous and rich. It may not be the most refined sound but is very exciting to listen to. Its sound reminds me of Belgium chocolate- rich and dark, neither veiled nor edgy. There is no sense of strain with my Senn 600's. I suspect that this is a VERY underrated PCDP. This was an altogether pleasant and inexpensive surprise.

AM
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post #4 of 25
9/8/03 at 6:16pm

Re: Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by amadeus-mozart
I just got an Aiwa XP-33 PCDP on eBay. It sounds just terrific- extremely powerful through the headphone jack and quite good through the line out. The sound is visceral yet transparent, sonorous and rich. It may not be the most refined sound but is very exciting to listen to. Its sound reminds me of Belgium chocolate- rich and dark, neither veiled nor edgy. There is no sense of strain with my Senn 600's. I suspect that this is a VERY underrated PCDP. This was an altogether pleasant and inexpensive surprise.

AM
It's an extremely underrated player, just like it's identical twin, the XP-55. Even newer R-series Aiwa's (R-100, 220, 320) are hidden surprises. I wrote a review of the 320 here on Head-Fi a few months back. I say stock up on some Aiwa's while they still can be had for less than $10, because if one of the senior members of this board gets one and posts a favorable review, the fun's over
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post #5 of 25
9/8/03 at 6:44pm

Re: Re: Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by EyeAmEye
It's an extremely underrated player, just like it's identical twin, the XP-55. Even newer R-series Aiwa's (R-100, 220, 320) are hidden surprises. I wrote a review of the 320 here on Head-Fi a few months back. I say stock up on some Aiwa's while they still can be had for less than $10, because if one of the senior members of this board gets one and posts a favorable review, the fun's over
I fear you may be right. The XP-33 blows away the D-25s, D-33, D-111, D-141, D-321 which are the best PCDPs I have. It has freaky power and clarity. My second CD deck is a 1991 NEC with 4x oversampling. The Aiwa line out is almost as good...

AM
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post #6 of 25
9/8/03 at 6:49pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by amadeus-mozart
The XP-33 blows away the D-25s, D-33, D-111, D-141, D-321 which are the best PCDPs I have. It has freaky power and clarity. My second CD deck is a 1991 NEC with 4x oversampling. The Aiwa line out is almost as good...

AM
Hold Thy Tongue!!!!! It's comments like that that are going to get us in trouble. Remember, silence is golden...
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post #7 of 25
9/8/03 at 7:07pm

Re: Re: Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by EyeAmEye
It's an extremely underrated player, just like it's identical twin, the XP-55. Even newer R-series Aiwa's (R-100, 220, 320) are hidden surprises. I wrote a review of the 320 here on Head-Fi a few months back. I say stock up on some Aiwa's while they still can be had for less than $10, because if one of the senior members of this board gets one and posts a favorable review, the fun's over
Are those models XP-R-100 XP-R220, etc?

AM
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post #8 of 25
9/8/03 at 7:15pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by amadeus-mozart
Are those models XP-R-100 XP-R220, etc?

AM
Yes. They (at 12mW per channel), are not as powerful as the XP-33, but they have similar sound. Much better than Sony's, and better overall than Panasonic. The AM/FM tuners are fairly good too, though I have little use for them myself. Much better battery life than the 33, and of course, portability. I use my XP-55 at home, and use the R220 on the road. Oh, they do not have a lineout like the XP-33, so if that makes the difference for you...
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post #9 of 25
9/8/03 at 11:21pm
Quote:
The XP-33 blows away the D-25s, D-33, D-111, D-141, D-321
The D-321? Are you sure? I would be interested in a more detailed comparison there. What kind of music do you listen to? Have you done a direct comparison between these two? Do you have a headphone amp to check the line out jack?

I wouldn't even characterize the D-515 or D-311 as "blowing away" the D-321. Also, I think the D-321 is slightly better than the D-211. So this Aiwa would also have to "blow away" the D-211 and (needless to say) the D-777 as well.

Because "Aggressiveness" does not impress me, I have ignored most of the comments on the Aiwa. Detail, soundstage, warmth, and liveliness are what impress me. I think I'll wait this one out. I suspect some other Sony PCDP owners will land one of these soon.

I have also seen a few comments about older Kenwood PCDPs, but I haven't paid much attention since there was no direct comparison with the well known Sony reference players.
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post #10 of 25
9/8/03 at 11:41pm
Gojira,
Besides being "aggressive", I have, in a previous thread, mentioned the excellent detail and soundstage of the Aiwas. As for warmth, I haven't heard a Sony PCDP yet I would consider "warm", atleast not in comparison to either Aiwa or Panasonic.
Since I listen mostly to metal/hard rock, Sony can't come close to Aiwa or Panasonic, or even Kenwood for that matter. The gap narrows slightly when I listen to softer music. Aiwa still is tops, with Panasonic and Sony swapping second depending upon what headphones one is using, then Kenwood. To me, Sony's have good detail, but they sound cold and lifeless.
For collector's reasons, I've kept the Sony D-5. I currently own five Aiwa's (XP-55, XP-560, XP-R210, 310 and XP-V7210), they all offer FAR better sound than the D-5.
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post #11 of 25
9/9/03 at 12:58am
Quote:
Originally posted by Gojira
The D-321? Are you sure? I would be interested in a more detailed comparison there. What kind of music do you listen to? Have you done a direct comparison between these two? Do you have a headphone amp to check the line out jack?

I wouldn't even characterize the D-515 or D-311 as "blowing away" the D-321. Also, I think the D-321 is slightly better than the D-211. So this Aiwa would also have to "blow away" the D-211 and (needless to say) the D-777 as well.

Because "Aggressiveness" does not impress me, I have ignored most of the comments on the Aiwa. Detail, soundstage, warmth, and liveliness are what impress me. I think I'll wait this one out. I suspect some other Sony PCDP owners will land one of these soon.

I have also seen a few comments about older Kenwood PCDPs, but I haven't paid much attention since there was no direct comparison with the well known Sony reference players.
Hi Gojira,

My XP-'s arrived today. I hooked it up to my Total Airhead via the line out and used AKG-35 Phones. I received my D-321's just about a week ago and have been using them pretty constantly. Music listened to included Beethoven Piano Sonatas, Beethoven 6th and 3rd Symphony, some Bach and some Schubert lieder. One thing I have not liked about my portable setup has been a lack of headroom. (no pun intended) I would be aware when listening that the PCDP's amp was straining. Because of this the volume had to be more limited than I would have liked.

The first thing I noticed about the XP-33's was a sense of headroom. The sound was powerful, clarity and definition were excellent. I haven't done a head to head comparison as yet between the XP-33's and the 321's. I think that from this very preliminary listening that the D-321 sound is more refined but also less exciting. Since I was listening through the amp rather than the headphone jack I may have been hearing a kind of 'synergy' between the individual components rather than the player. I found the sound to have a great sense of immediacy. I think I use immediacy in the same sense Duncan does when he says 'impact. I have not heard the 211's or the 303/311's so I can't make a comparison. Do the XP-33 blow away the 321's? Perhaps not. More listening is necessary. One thing is certain- this is not your average sounding PCDP.

AM
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post #12 of 25
9/9/03 at 1:10am
As for warmth, I haven't heard a Sony PCDP yet I would consider "warm",

Well it is difficult to imagine a PCDP warmer than the D-777. I'm half expecting to see little vacuum tubes when I open it up. I would find it difficult to characterize the D-321, D-311, and D-515 as not being at least slightly warm. They certainly are not thin sounding like modern PCDPs. I guess I'm going to have to pick up an Aiwa now. Arrgh.

Which Aiwa would you say has the most detail and the widest soundstage? You previously mentioned an XP-33. Would you rate that as the best Aiwa PCDP?
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post #13 of 25
9/9/03 at 1:34am

Re: What do you guys think about XP-33?

Quote:
Originally posted by seis66
hey everyone:
In my country someone´s selling an awia xp-33. Is it worth the buying?
Thanks
So, what happened with your D-141? Saludos a Chile
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post #14 of 25
9/9/03 at 3:34am
Quote:
Originally posted by Gojira
As for warmth, I haven't heard a Sony PCDP yet I would consider "warm",

Well it is difficult to imagine a PCDP warmer than the D-777. I'm half expecting to see little vacuum tubes when I open it up. I would find it difficult to characterize the D-321, D-311, and D-515 as not being at least slightly warm. They certainly are not thin sounding like modern PCDPs. I guess I'm going to have to pick up an Aiwa now. Arrgh.

Which Aiwa would you say has the most detail and the widest soundstage? You previously mentioned an XP-33. Would you rate that as the best Aiwa PCDP?
Haven't heard a D-777, but I have heard a D-321 and D-311, and I personally wouldn't categorize them as warm, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm betting it's you
All kidding aside, when you spot either the XP-33, or even better, the XP-55, grab one. It won't cost you an arm and a leg like the Sonys, and I think, whether you personally still prefer the Sonys, you'll agree it can certainly compete with the best of them.
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post #15 of 25
9/10/03 at 3:26pm
There are two XP-33's in my local pawn shop (same place where I found two Sony D-33's). The Aiwas are going for $35 a piece. I tried one and it was ok, but I still prefer the D-33. I wish I would have had my preferred headphones on me at the time (the SR80's). I've got enough older players now anyway (D-121, D-131, D-33, D-180K...aaargh! stop me!)

Noiseunit-- you out there? I can pick you up one of these like I did the D-33.... since I'm getting that Airhead off you..

appar111
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