ESOTERIC X-03 VS. AYRE C5XE

Kjl, another player you might want to consider is Lexicon´s new RT 20 CD/SACD-player. In Germany, two magazines tested the unit to sound as good, or even slightly better, than the Ayre and the Esoteric. Reinhold Martin of HiFi&Records, who owns the super-expensive, three-piece-dcs-CD/SACD-combo, tested both the Esoteric, and then the Lexicon, against it. His verdict about the RT 20: "So far, I have not heard another competitor in my chain, which played so close to the (dcs)Verdi/Delius-combo. The RT 20 is awarded second place." Another advantage is that the Lexicon is cheaper than both the Ayre and the Esoteric.

Which Teac Esoteric model did Mr. martin compare to the DCS stack?

Sorry, I thought that was obvious - it was the X-03.

Before purchasing my X03 I asked a very respected designer in the busines his opinion.He said the Lexicon was the best. But he had concerns about build quality and the dependability of a small company.

I would agree that some digital players can present a different sonic character compared to the Esoteric UX-3, but that does NOT necessarily means they would sound better to all consumers.

When it comes to a digital player, some of the most important things are enclosure built quality (to reduce vibrations), power supply, clocking and MOST important - the digital transport inside.

Nothing in current existence comes even remotely close to the Esoteric's VRDS-NEO transports. What they have done is a TRUE piece of mechanical ART. It is 5 times bigger and 20 times heavier than any conventional transport (read disc spinning mechanism), there are no vibrations whatsoever and the entire design ensures the best possible/achievable error-free disc reading. Esoteric’s VRDS-NEO is simply light years ahead compared to anything else.

Regards,
Alex