Esoteric SA-10 or Ayre CX-7e: Too close to call??

Sunnyjim, you are a riot. You don't want to pay full price, you don't want to ship, you don't want to pack, you don't want to pay restocking fees. Yet, you somehow want A'gon members to magically tell you which player you will enjoy listening to. You said you heard and liked the Ayre, so I suggested that it was sensible to purchase something you were familiar with. I'm sorry this offended you but I thought it was sound advice when I gave it. Perhaps you are realizing that was pretty silly to ask strangers whether you should purchase something you know you like or something you have never heard. I don't mean to insult anyone, but if you have two dealers, I suggest to avail yourself of their services, pay their price and hopefully pick out some gear you will be happy with for years to come rather than trying to do it by telepathy. Ultimately, you will save money and, more important - you might just enjoy audio instead of it being a source of grief, as it is to so many audiophiles who endlessly buy and sell. Best of luck to you.

Chayro, I think you missed the point again. Audio is not a "source of grief" for me.I enjoy the "helpful" and reasonable responses to my threads, and reading the threads of others. However, rude, intolerant, and overly self-assured people ARE a source of grief. Even though, you don't completely fall into that category as Tom6897, you are nibbling at the edges.

Take a look at Stereo5's response above yours. That, to me is helpful advice without the chastizing lecture. I always offer advice to members if I have knowledge of a particular component,or to issues of acoustics and speaker placement, etc.

Case closed!!! After 41 years of doing audio, maybe, it is time to learn how to sail, surf, and paint sunsets.

Sunnyjim - What value was Stereo5's post when he could not compare it to the Ayre? In his opinion, the Esoteric was "too smooth", but you might love it. Judging from your post history, you are just another neurotic audiophile, endlessly asking questions and never reaching a high degree of satisfaction with your system. Case (really) closed!!!.

Charyo, I was correct; you and Tom6897 are cut from the same cloth.....judgemental, arrogant, and opinionated

Let me see if I can find an old Rolling Stones copy of "I Can't Get No (Satisfaction)" Should provide the appropriate musical background necessary to create, by your myopic standards, more unsettling threads.

I really don't understand why someone should be ridiculed for asking for advice on these forums.
We all need to listen and make our own decisions, but what is the harm in querying others?
Some people should take some Prozac and chill