the best CD player between 6'000 - 10'000 $ ?

I had an EAR Acute that I liked a lot until I discovered the Ancient Audio Lektor Prime. Both are excellent.

I listen almost exclusively to classical music (both small and large ensembles) and I suggest you save some cash and get a Marantz SA11-S2 CD/SACD player (around $3500 new). It does everything well for acoustic instruments in both CD and SACD. I've enjoyed mine going on 9 months now and has been a stellar musical performer. If you want to burn some more money, there's always the top-of-the-line Maranta SA7-S1 (which I have not heard). That one costs $6500 new. Good luck.

Esoteric X03-SE - awesome on both redbook and sacd.

...sacd...

WOW!

Ummmm...how about an Imac to a MHDT Havana NOS Dac? Sure gives my Exemplar a run for the money :)

I have not heard the Marantz SA 7s1, but did the 11s1 very good. I heard the X03SE at a NYC store last year very impressive detail and dynamics. I have not heard Simaudio Super Nova, I have heard the Andromeda but its more than 10K now. All of these are excellent in my opinion, and may match in some sytems better than others. Thanks

Bill