ESOTERIC X-03 VS. AYRE C5XE

I own the C5 and think it is outstanding. The real surprise of this unit is its ability to make Redbooks sound so good. I have many Redbooks that sound better than SACD or AudioDVD. I've compared the sound of my VPI Sig with Benz Ebony and often the CD is even better sounding. One caveat... the Ayre is very picky about scratched CD's - simply won't play them properly (skips, etc). I burn a fresh copy from the "bad" one which works well again.

Ayre C-5xe is the best digital player that I have heard in my twenty years audio life.

I totally agree with Sylinnian. I had a DV-50, and had it modded by Refrence Audio Mods. It was better, but when I borrowed an Ayre C5XE, it simply blew the DV-50 away. I am impressed with its performance on every digital audio format, and am really pleased with its "redbook" standard CD playback. Another thing I have not heard mentioned is its ability to deal with "problem discs". It has played such discs flawlessly, including some that would skip tracks, or make static-like noises on certain passages. It is simply a great universal player, and quite unique. I wonder why is is so rarely discussed in this forum.

I´d like to throuw in two other pieces out of german production: T&A as well as AudioNet - very well build, very reliable and very nice to listen to..

I had listen to X-03 in an local dealer and compare with 390s, they come really close. and i think Esoteric will be more solid since 390s already discoutious and Mark has been part of the H Group. I hate that happen.