Looking for a CD / SACD player. Also, tell me about Esoteric


Budget is $10k.

I want something that plays SACDs as well as redbook.

Must have US service available.

I mention Esoteric as they appear to be one of the few still pushing the envelope as well as supporting SACD in this price range.

gthirteen

I have an Esoteric UX-3 I purchased new in 2012, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Just FYI, Esoteric has a new generation of players out.  The K-01XD and K-03XD have been upgraded to SE designation.  I don't know anything about how the SE players sound or if the K-05XD and K-07XD players will also be upgraded, but it may cause more XD and earlier generation players to be sold and may lower the price on earlier generations.  I can't say any of that will happen for sure, I just thought I'd let you know about the new upgrade.

Here is a quote from the Esoteric website referring to the K-01XD SE:

"Finally, the SE version of the digital player models is now available with new discrete clock technology and improved analog circuitry in the DAC. We are proud of our brand and always strive for the best sound. The SE models we are releasing this time reflect every conceivable technological accumulation from the time the original model was launched to the present. Enjoy the enhanced presence, dynamics, and beautifully organic and musical textures of the new SE models."

In this day and age I would always look at a CD player as a DAC with a transport and assess it on the sound quality of the DAC. Then inevitably when you plug in a streamer you will get the sound quality out of it equivalent to playing CDs or SACDs.