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

Esoteric players are superb and have gotten better with every generation. They deliver natural, unforced sound, and are extremely reliable. The are also one of the few companies who TEAC/Esoteric, build their own mechanisms. There are also changes in the analogue circuitry in the SE upgrade.

My only caution regarding Esoteric may no longer be relevant (read on), but here it is:

I bought my multi-format player (the DV-50s) used, and had it shipped to me. It weighs 46 lbs., and the Esoteric shipping carton barely survived the trip. It is made of not-very-sturdy or thick cardboard, and was almost falling apart by the time it reached me (from the U.S.A. east coast to the west). Even worse were the molded inner styrofoam blocks that the player was ensconced in. The foam is of the stiff/brittle variety (not the softer sponge-like stuff), and had broken into pieces inside the carton. In spite of all that, the player survived and functions perfectly.

I said the above may no longer be relevant, as Esoteric may have improved their packaging (I believe such is the case). Great digital players (good enough for me, at any rate)!

Hands sown the old Cary I believe 306 model  SS not tube OK sounding until you get it modified and then look out - WOW better than most separate DACs, etc.  I will blow your mind.

Happy Listening.

Esoteric makes great sounding players.  My concern would be servicing.  There were a few threads about poor US service approximately a year or 2 ago.  Perhaps there were some pandemic issues that have been resolved, but especially as you identified service as a priority in your OP, I would want to have that sorted out before you buy.

  Personally I use an Oppo 105 as a transport into a Bryston DAC.  With SACD I output the Oppo DSD over HDMI into the Bryston 

Playback Designs MPS-8. Can't be beat.