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

Regarding Esoteric's packaging, current models are shipped double boxed in extremely strong cardboard boxes. However, they are heavy machines and ultimately, if shippers want to destroy something, they will.
 

Yes, my K-05XD arrived on a pallet in a triple wall cardboard box.

personally, i'd get a separate transport + dac (which will be upgradeable) before dropping $10k on a cdp, but it's your dough. if you do want a single box, the denon dcd a110 is a helluva good sounding piece. i also saw the yamaha s3000 for less than half price at accessories4less, but i haven't heard it.

Please take a look at the Bricasti Design M19 CD/SACD transport. Its MSRP is exactly $10,000. Made in the US, the M19 competes well against the Esoteric transports. I should mention that transports are NOT players; they do not have internal DACs. 

There is a new Luxman CD player at Sound By Singer in the 3K price range.  It is 50% off retail and brand new.  The store is in its final month of closing due to the owner passing away. All sales are final. 

My Esoteric UX3 came in 3 boxes which made the 55 pound SACD player  80 pounds.