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Best SACD: Modwright OPPO vs Esoteric X03 series?

There seem to be about 5 of each available on Audiogon right now for about $3k +/- $300. I can maybe stretch my budget and lay my hands on cash in few days. In the mean time, I need to decide which type is likely to sound better. I am running a hodge-podge system made from a few 'over achievers' and a lot of attention to detail. Amps are 600w D-Sonic and the preamp is a W4S STP buffered passive. Speakers are 6.1 Genesis and most of my cabling is from Kaplan or his new Waevform Fidelity. I have no chance to audition either model as the Milwaukee area is kind of an audiophile dessert, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has.
mcbuddah
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
10-14-15: Mattmiller
Go with the OPPO, not only will you save a bunch of money, the sound will be much warmer and more analogue like, easy to listen to for long periods at higher volumes. Yes the Esoteric is built like a battleship, the OPPO is a very dependable machine as well. Regards,

Matt
I'm with Matt on this, the Esoteric players i've heard are good sacd players yes, but there are better sounding rbcd players. So it really depends whether you're heavily invested in sacd's or listen mostly to rbcd's. Also, if you need a good bluray player, the Oppo is a no-brainer & will allow you to play DVD-A, Bluray audio & obviously bluray movies.
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
it would not even be close between those two players. All you need to do is liten to them both. The Oppo is good for the money. The esoteric is good, regardless of the money.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Everyone knows the MW oppo 105 competes with players up to $15k. No one would deny the Esoteric would have the wood over the Oppo on SACD, but I would very happily throw a fully loaded Modwright Oppo 105 with the Bybee & Audio Magico options up against an Esoteric X03 playing a well mastered XRCD. The other benefit of the Oppo is, you can further improve & tune the player by upgrading the factory tubes to some matched NOS tubes. Any one else car to chime in?
missioncoonery
1,223 posts
 
Again as stated, I looked and listened to the MW oppo.Made no sense to me to take a $1300 inferior player ,do the mod which if not mistaken was $25-2600 at that time with a long list of "better option mods you can add to make It sound even better" to compete with what is already a great player right out of the crate.I never bought into the Harley buy it stock and spend a ton to make it sound and look cool.Esoteric was and still is a better made and better sounding player to me.
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Fair enough Mission. There is plenty of room for all views and opinions here, and no right or wrong. Some folks like tubed gear, others prefer ss. There is no doubt the Esoteric has a very good transport & excellent build quality. But at end of the day, you buy gear based on a balancing act between subjective sound, quality and other considerations such as resale value. Even if you describe the Esoteric as Mercedes, the next guy might prefer a Mustang. Different horses for different courses.
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