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Accuphase or Esoteric?

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a new CD player. I've had an Accuphase DP-78 that sounds wonderful, but has developed some mechanical issues, so I think it's time for a new player. I've been offered a great deal on a new Accuphase DP-600, but also very good deals on an Esoteric K-03 or K-01. The only one of any of these I've heard is the K-03. I have a friend who has one, and we auditioned his against my Accuphase side by side, and found them roughly equal in sound quality, although they were different and we preferred one or the other, depending on what was playing. I'm interested in whether anyone has heard the Esoteric against the Accuphase, and also how much better the K-01 really is. The Absolute Sound review was pretty unequivocal, but I never know what reviewers are thinking, and there is a big price difference. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
skreich

Showing 1 response by 2channel8

2channel8
760 posts
 
I have a $17,000-ish system including an Oppo BDP-95 and about $1,300 to spend on an upgrade. I have about 60 hi-res albums including downloads on a USB drive and 350 RBCDs.

There are a number of used players on the market that interest me right now and I have no hope of auditioning any of them. The ones I can afford right now include an Esoteric DV-60 (or DV-50), and an Oppo BDP-105 with EVS mods.

Just beyond my reach are an Esoteric X-05, Ux- 3Pi and a McCormack UDP-1 Deluxe.

I worry that the ones I can afford are all very long in the tooth except the Oppo, yet the BDP-105 EVS won't sound that much better than the BDP-95. The UX-3Pi probably makes the most sense; but while I'm saving up for it I would probably loose the opportunity to buy the BDP-105 EVS or the UX-3Pi itself.

Does it make sense to spend money on an Esoteric or McCormack that's already older than my BDP-95? I am only interested in 2 channel audio and my Primare I32 does have balanced inputs.

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