the best CD player between 6'000 - 10'000 $ ?

I listen almost exclusively to classical music (both small and large ensembles) and I suggest you save some cash and get a Marantz SA11-S2 CD/SACD player (around $3500 new). It does everything well for acoustic instruments in both CD and SACD. I've enjoyed mine going on 9 months now and has been a stellar musical performer. If you want to burn some more money, there's always the top-of-the-line Maranta SA7-S1 (which I have not heard). That one costs $6500 new. Good luck.

Esoteric X03-SE - awesome on both redbook and sacd.

...sacd...

WOW!

Ummmm...how about an Imac to a MHDT Havana NOS Dac? Sure gives my Exemplar a run for the money :)

I have not heard the Marantz SA 7s1, but did the 11s1 very good. I heard the X03SE at a NYC store last year very impressive detail and dynamics. I have not heard Simaudio Super Nova, I have heard the Andromeda but its more than 10K now. All of these are excellent in my opinion, and may match in some sytems better than others. Thanks

Bill

I've been running an Esoteric X-03SE for the past few months and am thrilled. It replaced a Naim CDX2 and surpasses it easily. Can't say I've heard many others at this price point though.