Greg, i never enjoyed early Esoteric. The K series though really hit the mark. I will say best buy in a New CD player is Marantz Reference players, the new one is musical as the old one but more purity. I could live with any of them. The K01 is just more of everything. I like my vinyl and I like my digital I don't expect one to sound like other. When I read that crap in the magazines I laugh sounds more analog like, that is crap. Analog can sound many ways and as bright as a bad CD player or recording. Both formats you have to take care with setup, more electronics in a CD player so noise is a big thing like it is in preamps etc. Good power cords, great stand, clean your CD's and speaking that I've had many of the top ones and they made the sound different, some warmer to brighter. Go figure much like adjusting the VTA on a turntable go one way to far off it sounds bright, then the other was off to much bass. So much goes into your final sound like your room that any review is about worthless, you have to get the product in you own home, room and system. If people worked more on setup and their room they enjoy their system more. Sticking expensive speakers in corner or with gear and TV between them is a waste of money. Your audio system needs it own room and be dedicated to it and it alone.
