Marantz SA-10 Vs Esoteric K-05Xs

I owned the K-01 a wonderful CD player, had massive attack and dynamics that put vinyl to shame. Loved it. Got ill so I sold the K-01, and the only player I considered was the Marantz SA-10S1. I’ve not looked back with regret. The K-01 still has more massive in the attack, but the Marantz reproduce the music with a flair, a class to it, does not throw things at you it just there to enjoy the performance. 20K vs. 7K in pricing no contest sound-wise, perhaps weight-wise 40 lbs. vs 80 lbs. both are a bit different but both oh so good. Depending on one’s system and gear you might prefer one over the other. I think in SACD discs the Marantz might edge the K-01. The K-01 power supply is much larger which is why it sounds more massive than it should for 20K. But the Marantz with that Mastering Engine design makes USB to CD sound so natural and real. 

Over the years, I auditioned an Esoteric DV-60. I did not enjoy the CD filters? The SACD playback was excellent. Cables and Cords were Wireworld Silver Electra 7 (PC) on the DV-60. Silent Source cables/cords on Pass Labs gear. TAD-1 loudspeakers.

Happy Listening!

I know this is an old thread but in case anyone is still comparing an Esoteric with Marantz. I have owned both brands, and I still have an Esoteric specificallly a UX-3SE. Any Marantz I tried in my home was stomped into the ground by my Esoteric and that includes a Marantz KI Ruby. And where did someone come up with Esoteric being unreliable? Marantz yes, Esoteric no. I had Marantz players have lasers fail after a few years and then have Marantz tell me that there are no laser assemblies made for that model anymore? After three years? Esoteric has a wonderful repair center in LA that can repair any Esoteric model. 
Pricey for Esoteric? Yes, but like a well built auto the Esoteric performs as designed, and does so for a long time.
No competiton - Esoteric is the way to go if one can afford it...

I've been using an Oppo BDP-95 for the past 10 years with CDs, SACD, Blu Ray audio and Blue Ray movies. But I've been looking to get a dedicated SACD/CD player.

A few models on my list are the Marantz SA-10, Esoteric K-07XS and K-05XS, Technics SL-G700.

The think I like about the Marantz and the newer Esoteric is that the will convert CD PCM to DSD.

 

What I'd like to know a bit more is the sound difference between the Matantz SA-10 and the Esoteric K-07XS or K-05XS, since they are all around the same price for pre-owned.

I have dropped the idea of a disc player. I am looking forward to getting a T+A DAC 200 soon. I am currently using the Oppo UDP-205 purely in DAC mode since July 2020, feeding DSD 256 though Foobar. I have heard that the T+A performs on a completely differently level using DSD stream. HQPlayer is something that I might explore next.