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

Sunnyjim asked a valid question about comparing Ayre to Esoteric and I believe we should answer his question. It makes no difference to me how many questions he asks as long as it helps him get closer to making a decision. His equipment choices are limited since he lives in Honolulu and he has a limited number of retailers to select from. Many people are asking questions on Audiogon to help them get closer to the right decision for them.

I own the Ayre CX-7e MP CD player and like it very much. I experimented once with the Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. At first, I was impressed with the way it sounded. I used the MAC Book Pro computer with 4 GB RAM and the 120GB solid state drive. I used the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive to store my music files.

After many months of listening, I decided I did not like it the way it sounded in my system. In addition, there were too many boxes and too many wires in my living room. I sold everything and returned to my Ayre CX-7e MP CD player. I never looked back and like my CX-7e MP CD player very much.

For me, I liked the sound coming from the Ayre CX-7e MP better than the sound coming from the MAC computer and the Ayre QB-9 DAC. It felt more natural and clearer than the computer and DAC did. I do not know how the Ayre sounds compared to the Esoteric but I like my Ayre very much. My Ayre CX-7eMP is running balanced into my integrated amplifier. I hope this helps.

I have enjoyed the SA-10 for over two years , finally selling my Electrocompaniet 1Up. I love the way it plays both formats an sounds excellent. I have auditioned a couple of more expensive Esoteric model (SA50, X03SE) and the SA-10 really holds its own. As you move up their line you may hear more detail but if you didn't hear the more expensive models, you wouldn't realize anything from the presentation was missing.

Sorry for taking this slightly off topic.

"For me, I liked the sound coming from the Ayre CX-7e MP better than the sound coming from the MAC computer and the Ayre QB-9 DAC. "

When I got my QB-9, I compared it directly to my CX-7eMP (using rips in the QB-9 of the same CD played in the CX-7). I was careful to use the same interconnect on both units. In my system/my ears, they sounded *almost* indistinguishable. The QB-9 was, maybe, a tad smoother and musical. The CX-7 *might* have been just a touch more dynamic. But it was a close thing and I doubt I could have distinguished them blindfolded.

The CX-7 is MUCH easier to use: just plop in a silver disc and you're golden. Computer audio is a PITA with ripping, tagging, and backing up files. Plus, you can drive yourself crazy with the endless computer-side tweaks (luckily, the QB-9 seems pretty immune to most of this non-sense). But the big pay-off is being able to play hi-res files up to 24/192 (soon to be DSD files after the upcoming upgrade). The great majority of my favorite music is at CD resolution but I find myself gravitating to my >16/44 library. Most of those files just sound so good! I now listen to classical way more than I ever did, mostly because that genre dominates my highest resolution files.

YMMV.

I've been a part of this forum and others for years. Your preference and electronics in your system is always going to make the performance of every disc player, dac, and component, vary from stereo system to stereo system; this has become common knowledge in audiophilia. This is what diminishes some, but not all of the value of owner/user testimonials and critiques of high end gear. You never know until you put the piece in your system whether it will perform as others have said. Independently, these pieces are quality performers, but only with the right associated pieces.

Foster 9 post above is absolutely correct. You can ask 100 people for their opinion on a component but you will never know how it sounds until you listen to it in your system and listening space. While it is reassuring to hear positive comments from others, the real test is if you like it in your environment. Unfortunately, there are no short cuts to determine the impact of a new component in your system until you listen in your system. Hopefully you can find a retailer that will allow you to return the component if you do not like it. I know that many people buy used, listen and sell again if they do not like it.

If you cannot do this, you have a problem. You can ask for the opinion of others but the answers you receive may, or may not, mean the piece is for you. My only recommendation is to find a retailer you trust and, hopefully, he can help guide you to make the right decision for your system. I use this approach and it generally works. Yes, I have made costly mistake so I correct the mistake and move on with this crazy hobby..