Vinyl guy seeking recommendation for a top level cd player


I know cds are dead.  Best time to buy a cd player, the way it looks.  I want an all in one box.  I don't stream so a separate DAC is not required.  Most of my cd collection have been ripped to a PC as Flac files and then down loaded to a Sony HAP-Z1ES.  Currently about 3000 Redbook and perhaps 100 SACDs.  The way cds are being dumped I figure on becoming a buyer again so these numbers will go up.  I have looked at Marantz SA10, Esoteric K1 (lightly used), and Luxman D-10X, so far.  It would be good if the sound could approach vinyl.  The Z1 does up to a point.  Listening this morning to the same recordings, the Z1 compares to a high end MM cartridge, but not to a SoundSmith Experion.  Maybe I am asking too much, but in any event a new cd player is being sought.  Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bill
billstevenson
We have some on this forum that live by specifications.  Since most all CD players have pretty much identical specs, just buy the cheapest CD player you can find and it will sound better than vinyl- by their logic.  Of course, most of us know better...
I have owned almost all of the  Sony ES players a Marantz SA7S1, an Esoteric K01 and now a Marantz SA10. The Esoteric was an outstanding player, but the SA10 is even better with a more extended and detailed high end and a better depth of field for a third of the cost. It gives my SME 20/2 table a run for the money. It benefits highly from a good power cord. I use a Harmonic Technology Reference cord. Good luck!
K01 is 10 years old. Thats like 4 generations ago. Sounds NOTHING like a current NON Dac Chip Esoteric. SA-10 was a Slight Upgrade from the Pearl K-1 which can be had for a little over 1K now.  I had em all.
The advice you get on this site can be invaluable when making a purchase like you just did. Congrats on your choice of the Luxman D-10X Looking forward to hearing how it sounds in your system.

Mike