Which is the best cd player under $10k?

Look at the Ayon players from Austria.

Try Burmester ... they make very good product.

With the premise that a 'best' player simply does not exist, the Esoteric X-01 Limited, and the newer D2 variant of the same model are incredibly 'emotional' devices, which deliver equal amounts of resolution, authority, harmonic richness, and the low level information/dynamics that makes the whole thing 'emotional'. It's one of those cases where you can have the cake and eat it too! . . And yes, alas, I am proud owner of an X-01 Limited. However, all X-01s at this point are inherently 'limited' by their I/O capabilities, which reflect their 2004 design vintage. You should find them used for well under $10K.

If flexibility of connectivity, sampling rates, etc. . . are important to you, I would also consider the PD MPS-5 a truly magnificent player in its own right, which share a lot of the musical attributes of the flagship Esoteric single box players. . . except for its case, whose unorthodox styling reminds me of a very fine Italian 'torta canestrata'.

Saluti, Guido

Ancient Audio Lektor Prime

Look at the products from any company whose name starts with an "A"***, plus Esoteric X-03SE and Wadia 581.

***like: Audioaero Prestige, Audio Note CD-4.1x, Audio Research CD5, Ayon Audio CD-5, Ayre C-5xe(with MP upgrade).

The "best"? HA! These are all good, and slightly different, but could be said to have the characteristics you are seeking. The "best" thing to do is get yourself into a store and listen to them - or start buying and trading used on Agon stopping when you find what floats your boat.