Looking for a CD / SACD player. Also, tell me about Esoteric

My Esoteric UX3 came in 3 boxes which made the 55 pound SACD player  80 pounds. 

Budget is $10k.

See if some TAD dealer will come down a bit in price and give you a TAD d1000tx for 10k. It can also be used as a standalone end-game dac with streaming gear, i.e. try and hit additional birds with one stone.

Esoteric and Luxman units around that price are also pretty good.

Luxman D-O3X CD Player - NEW MARKDOWN - SALE PRICE IS $2100 (50% OFF M – Sound by Singer Sale 2024   for OP

I have both a Sony XA 5400ES with the Modwright upgrades and a off the shelf used Denon 2910.....and through my audio chain (Bel Canto > ML Ethos) cannot tell much of a difference with SACD's...., the Sony is much better with low compression redbook CD's.

Both esoteric and marantz are excellent, But if you need service you might not get it. Esoteric use Sal from California. Marantz is terrible on service after warranty, my SA 10 laser gave up and no help. I agree OP buy player with good tech service.

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