Marantz SA-10 Vs Esoteric K-05Xs

@goose @tomcy6

Since it says the upconversion upsample mode is available for each input (except that a SACD is passed through staying at DSD) does it allow for these settings on normal CD playback? (Picture below).

This is from the K-05XS and K-07XS manual download PDF about upconversion.

It says it available by pressing the Mode button on the front of the unit, but it appears there isn't a Model button on the remote. So you can only make these settings on the unit itself? That's a bit inconvenient.

For filtering, it says

Digital filter setting during DSD playback.

DSDF>*** OFF No digital filter is used . ON A digital filter is used .

So it looks like there is only 1 filter available (on). Some players give multiple filters (3-6)

The SA-10 has been replaced by the new Model 10 SA-CD player. Coming in at 75-76 pounds this is a very large and heavy unit. The Model 10 is about half again more expensive  than the SA-10 it is replacing.

@regafan I had seen the newer Marantz Model 10 in several videos and it does look quite nice, but I believe the price is between $12-15K for it.

@fauguy the PCM upconversion cannot be done via the remote only via the mode button on the unit itself so "on the fly" changes aren't possible.  For now I have settled on the 2Fs setting on PCM.  On my player there are 3 filter settings for DSD (SACD) playback.  The cutoff frequency becomes progressively lower from F1 to F2 to F3.  Mine is set on F2.  I think one could get hung up on all the oversampling and filter stuff.  The player sounds wonderful with the native settings.  The new model 10 from Marantz looks interesting and it would be interesting to compare it to my K-03XD which new was discounted to 12K from my dealer. 

@fauguy , Yes the upconversion settings do apply to CDs and I would guess, but the manual doesn't say it, they would apply to streamed PCM also.  There appears to be only one digital filter.

I agree with @goose, these are probably not settings that you will change a lot.  You'll probably find one setting you like and leave it, if you can hear much of a difference at all.

Really the way to decide between the players is to listen to them and buy the one you like best.