CD players - Luxman vs. Esoteric?

I am on the verge of buying a system from a dealer that carries some Luxman, but I do not have the opportunity to audition the Luxman cdp or compare it to an Esoteric, hence this thread. There is also scant information out there on the new Luxman cdps.

As I have heard the Esoteric, and would also consider the equivalent Luxman, I am curious to know if anyone has heard the Luxman D-06 or D-05 and/or compared them to the Esoteric X-05.

I am considering Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation speakers driven by a Luxman integrated amp (590Aii or v509u). The one Luxman dealer in my city does not yet have a Luxman cdp on demo, but I have heard the equivalent Esoteric elsewhere in a comletely different system, and it sounded wonderful. Given the lack of info, feedback, or reviews of the Luxman cdp, I am a little hesitant to buy one sight unseen as opposed to the highly regarded Esoteric X-05. Luxman and Esoteric compete head-on in the Japanese market, but in North America Luxman is not as well established.

So to put it simply, if I buy a Luxman cdp, the whole system comes from one dealer, but I do not have enough of a comfort level to just go ahead sight unseen on the cdp at this point.

The Luxman amps that I have seen (and heard) are wonderfully musical and meticulously built, so I imagine that the cdps are built to a high standard as well. I just wish I had more to go on, otherwise I will play it safe and but the Esoteric X-05.

Regards,

Mark

It sounds like the Wadia 381, at around $7K, should also be considered. It is Redbook only cdp (no SACD), but then again most of my cds are Redbook only...

Has anyone compared it to the Esoteric X-05?

Regards,

Mark

Come on, this is a no brainer. 20 years ago? Luxman...

Today? Esoteric X-05 CD for sure.

Chatta,
That's a rather naive comment. 20 years ago Alpine nearly caused Luxman's extinction. Today's Luxman products are Fantastic.

Toronto416,
If it is shear resolution you are looking for, Esoteric will out perform the Luxman digital gear. However, if you are looking for musicality and tonal accuracy, you may want to try the Luxman. From my experience having owned a DU-80, the Luxman gear must be given time in evaluating as they tend to be more laid back in presentation, initially sounding as if they lack in detail retrieval. However the information is there, it is just not front row like other players.

Thanks Andrew.

Though I cannot yet audition them, I am leaning towards either the DU-80 or the newer D-06 (which the local dealer will shortly have on demo). The DU-80 has certainly received some rave reviews, especially for its fluid musicality and build quality.

How do you find the quality of the transport mechanism? I beleive that the DU-80 uses a modified Pioneer transport. Luxman now makes their own transport mechanism for the D-05, D-06, and D-08.

I have auditioned one of the Luxman integrated amps, and the sound and build quality were outstanding. I will order either a 509u or a 590Aii.

Esoteric has penetrated the North American cd player market to a much greater extent than Luxman, so it is encouraging to hear some positive feedback as I get the sense that Luxman does make outstanding cdps.

Regards,

Mark