Esoteric SA-10 SA-60

I never had any reliability issues with the MF5. It had alot of phasing issues I guess would be the best way to describe it. The imaging seemed to be all over the place. Other owners I talked to confirmed my findings.
Perhaps their other products are better.

I auditioned the MF and the Esoteric SA-10.
There is no comparison. The SA-10 sounded superb. And even though it doesn't have tubes, it sounded more "tube-like" than the tubed MF. I mean that in a good way.
My amp and pre-amp are MF so its not like I don't care for their product; but there is no comparison. Go Esoteric!

Thanks for the input everyone. Budt, what was your experience with the MFA5? Did you have a failure or just bad sound. Also I will audition the SA-60.

Somehow Esoteric units sound "different" from other manufacturer's digital sources. There's more detail and a certain musically "correct" balance which I attribute primarily to their transport/lens mechanism.

Mnewman56,
Yes, I have heard the MF...its not an Esoteric. Get an Esoteric!

I used to own a MF A5 .What a load of marketing hype on that ting. Don't walk away from this unit , instead run as far and as fast as you can from it.

Thanks for the info Brm1. I heard a Musical Fidelity A5CD today and was very impressed. Have you ever heard one? If so how would you rate it to the Esoteric?. It was not SACD but for that quality of sound I would consider going CD only.

Hands down the Sa-60 is better. The sound has more weight, better bass,deeper soundstage. Its a better made cdp. I have the sa-10 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, the sa-60 is just better....and more $$$.