guys thanks for sharing, i like the versatility of SA-50, but so many suggest x-05 is better sounding cdp despite a newer filter in SA-50.
never auditioned oppo, my current cdp is CEC, it does everything well, very musical, but shows shortcomings in the treble area, soundstage is not so dimensional, on the contrary with high end stuff there will be no problem with measurement(which demonstrates the diminishing return rule in hi-fi), there won't be night and day differences in sound, but with that much more money, you paying for the presentation, and realism. Like you guys said, it's not just about hearing the instrument, the ambience, the timbre is something the lower end can not acheive.