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Is the "tray error" issue on an Esoteric X-03 CD player worth fixing?

I have a Esoteric X-03SE CD player that is still in my system that I loved for many years. I purchased the unit in 2011. Then late in 2017, it started slipping with its belt and started giving me the dreaded "tray error."

I took it to a place to be repaired, and got the belt replaced. A couple years later, the error started to appear again. With the suggestion of a longtime and trusted audio local salesperson, instead of trying to repair the X-03SE again, I instead turned my 600-plus CD collection into a Bluesound digital library with the purchase of a Vault 2i. For the last five years, I had thought I was pretty much set using the Bluesound, and the X-03 largely sat idle over that time.

Recently, at his store, I saw a used Esoteric DAC unit for sale. I was curious if adding it to my system would be an improvement to my system’s overall sound, and he assured me it would, saying the Esoteric DAC is miles above of what is inside of the Bluesound for a DAC.

In just the couple hours I have been test driving the Esoteric DAC unit at home, and it certainly makes my system sound better when listening the Bluesound library. I think I’ve pretty much decided on adding that unit to my system.

What does all that have to do with the X-03SE? As a side note, he said that the DAC would also make my X-03SE CD player that I still have in my system sound better, if I opted to get the X-03SE repaired.

Since I still have it, I wonder if there’s much value to fixing it, getting back to sometimes using the X-03 (since I still have my physical CDs), versus always listening to the Bluesound. Or do you think the Bluesound/Esoteric DAC combo simply stands as worthwhile on its own, without the added expense and hassle of repairing the Esoteric X-03?

Thoughts?

And then the question becomes who still would take on such a repair, as comments about the "tray error" and repair issues for an X-03 I saw on one comment thread here that date back seven years, with many comments largely talking about how hard it was to find someone to repair the unit back then. Usually with used gear, it only gets harder with time, but maybe I’m wrong in this instance? Curious ...

acaamano
acaamano OP
8 posts
 

Dr. Bond, thanks for that link. Just sent you a message with a quick question.

bolong
621 posts
 

A little trick I have been using on my Dell desktop CD drive which is also gear stripping is to insert a thin tip knife into the edge of the tray, but rather than attempting to pry the drive open which is futile, I instead "flick" the tray edge with the knife. For some reason this works at opening it. Also, after doing a few flicks the CD tray will go on a spree of opening the normal way. Additionally, it is sometimes better to pry the bottom side of the tray. How long this will keep working is anybody's guess. In the meantime, I am looking at exterior drives for my Dell.

 

daveyf's avatar
daveyf
2,874 posts
 

The Esoteric D-03 DAC is a very nice DAC. Like your dealer pointed out, far superior to the Blue Sound DAC. 

I use an Esoteric DV60 player as a transport and an Esoteric D-05 DAC, the pairing sounds amazing. I would suggest that you have your nice X-03SE repaired, and then use it as a transport for your DAC. You will get much better SQ than from the Blue Sound. 

 

parker65310
212 posts
 

I have 2 x Nodes controlling different zones. The newest generation model is in my main system. It was a huge upgrade adding an MHDT external DAC followed by an external linear power supply for the Node streamer. I highly recommend getting an external DAC and LPS. Both are mediocre in the Node. Once replaced you get a package that punches way above its total investment.

acaamano OP
8 posts
 

Thanks daveyf for the advice. I will look to see about incorporating the X-03SE into my system, once I can find somone who can repair the unit. That, I imagine, will take some doing. I'm rather impressed with the D-03 DAC and the sound it adds to my system, versus just the Vault 2i. 

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