Marantz SA-10 Vs Esoteric K-05Xs

Here's how I do things, though I usue a Furman with mulitple zones, I plug in everything:

https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html

@erik_squires ,Very nice write-up. Thank You for sharing.

Finally! A CD player that helps me resist the desire to grab a record!   The Marantz SA-10 has introduced a listening experience that compels me to keep playing CDs.  I’ve owned Audiomeca, Hegel, Sony, and Jungson CDPs, among others,  but my memory of a 90s Marantz CDP I owned and enjoyed steered me towards the new Marantz.  I’m sure other reference players provide similarly expressive and quality listening experiences, but the SA-10 has been a revelation for me. At  less than half of what my vinyl rig cost me, it gets me close, provided the recording is of good quality (of course).  After 50+ years of chasing the dragon I actually feel like it might just be time to focus much more on the music and less on the gear.  Finally! 

@ markmendenhall,Thank You for sharing about the SA-10. Yeah, I keep hearing great things about it. One of these days, maybe, I should drag my Oppo to the local Marantz dealer and compare it to the Marantz.

I seriously considered an Esoteric and I’m sure they are fabulous players.  Didn’t have an opportunity to compare the brands and I’m sure I’d have been satisfied either way.  Three considerations pointed me to Marantz:  1) the 90s Marantz I owned was the first and only ‘early days’ player in my experience that sounded good to me, 2) the top end SA-10 Marantz cost what a mid tier Esoteric cost, 3) the dealer I bought it from described the Marantz as a player that didn’t sound hyper-detailed nor digital.  It sounded like music, not equipment.  I have to agree.