Esoteric DV-50 vs the Newer Esoteric players?

Alpha,

I have heard the Esoteric SA-60 & XO 1 Limited. I felt they were great players but a bit too analytical for my taste. Conversely I also have owned a Marantz SA 7S1 and it was a very musical player. The only fault I had with it is when I changed to a tube based system the Marantz did not synergize with the tube system. It sounded bland and boring. In summary they are, to me, on opposite ends of the spectrum. Marantz on the warm and musical side and the Esoteric on the cool side of Neutral.

Hope my .02 cents helps.

Here is a recent comparison between old Esoteric vs new ones vs Marantz;

http://desirableaudio.blogspot.com/2009/05/music-sweet-music-esoteric-x-03-sacdcd.html

hope it helps

Thanks guys on the info.

Alpha3, I am a musician and I have used the Marantz SA 11S-1 CD player for several years and I love it. It is very musical and plays RBCD wonderfully and a great SACD reminds me of what I hear in an excellent concert hall
Each year manufacturers come out with a new product that may be somewhat better than the model that one has at the time, but IMO a person could spend a fortune trying to keep up with the latest and greatest component. I personally prefer to have components that are musical, then all that I do is listen to the music.
Carter