Esoteric X-01 limitted or Meridian 808?

I can only comment on the X-03 versus the P-03/D-03 but it wasn't in the same league, the combo was significantly better than than the X-03, much less the X-01, in every aspect. At the pricepoint though, if you have to have a new player then the X-03 is a good value. However, I would recommend you think about picking up a used Wadia 850/861 and have it modded by Great Northern Sound Co.; the performance of the modded unit should be far superior to a stock X-03.

budt, of course performance and its associated value is all subjective. That being said, I thought the improvement over the X-03se was worth the money (though I may have more money than sense!). To my ears, the P3/D5 did a much better job of separating the instruments and notes. Everything sounded more distinguished, versus a mass of sound. Additionally, I thought the sound was more refined, and liquid, more like analog. Dont get me wrong, the X-03se is a great player. The one both systems share is their incredible ability to retrieve detail. I am consistently amazed at what I am hearing.

I guess the bottom line is if you have a system that can take advantage of the extra performance of the P3/D5 and more importantly do you have the ability and desire to hear the differences.

I'm also in the Esoteric camp as I believe their transport mechanism gives them the edge in retriving information from the silver discs.

If you want to go for single box, go for the X01, if 2 boxes (for more than a single digital source), the P5/D5 is a great combo. Careful setup is required, but it does give you the option to "upgrade" (if you are so inclined) with their superclocks.