ESOTERIC X-03 VS. AYRE C5XE


I am looking for an SACD player with great redbook as well.
My price range is $5000.00 with a $7500.00 maximum. It seems nearly impossible to hear the Esoteric X-03 along
with the Ayre C5XE. I'd prefer to buy after hearing both together. Has anybody out there heard the two together, or
personally owns either and can venture their opinion as to the quality of sound that each produces?
kjl
Ayre C-5xe is the best digital player that I have heard in my twenty years audio life.
I totally agree with Sylinnian. I had a DV-50, and had it modded by Refrence Audio Mods. It was better, but when I borrowed an Ayre C5XE, it simply blew the DV-50 away. I am impressed with its performance on every digital audio format, and am really pleased with its "redbook" standard CD playback. Another thing I have not heard mentioned is its ability to deal with "problem discs". It has played such discs flawlessly, including some that would skip tracks, or make static-like noises on certain passages. It is simply a great universal player, and quite unique. I wonder why is is so rarely discussed in this forum.
I´d like to throuw in two other pieces out of german production: T&A as well as AudioNet - very well build, very reliable and very nice to listen to..
I had listen to X-03 in an local dealer and compare with 390s, they come really close. and i think Esoteric will be more solid since 390s already discoutious and Mark has been part of the H Group. I hate that happen.