Esoteric K07 + Audio Research Dac 9 = Audio Research Cd 9

    In another post I asked about the required USB drivers for a Mac running El  Captian to a Cd 9. The response was that the CD 9 ( trade in from a dealer ) being sold to me ( currently still on home audition ) is a circa 2013 production unit which needs a Dac hardware upgrade costing almost $2000. No wonder I couldn't get it to work. Anyway, I still stream music half the time so the Dac upgrade is important to me and this unit is not being sold for a song either. So, it's either I purchase this one or return it.
     Now the problem, having the Cd 9 for the past 2 weeks ( still haven't returned it ) on audition I find my Esoteric unlistenable ( at least on redbook CD's). I prefer the overall presentation or "bloom" as other have called it on the Cd 9. I was willing to shell out the dough for a 2nd hand CD 9 but a new one is quite pricey at $13000.  But it is  only the circa 2017 units that will have the Dac that will be compatible with USB 2.0 or least with El Capitan. So a different 2nd hand unit is out of the question.
     My other concern aside from the price is that the Cd 9 has been out 4 years and will be due for an upgrade to maybe a cd 10 soon.
     Hence, the question above. Anybody tried it? I know it won't be the same but will it be close? My dealer does not have one on hand. It is by order only and no auditions. It will be a blind buy. But if it works out, I get to save almost half the cost plus I don't have to sell or trade in my Esoteric at a loss. 
     Inputs appreciated. Thanx.

My equipment
Audio Research LS 28
Audio Research Ref 75SE
Esoteric k07
IC's /speaker - MIT
PC's -  Shunyata
Harbeth SHL5+