Forget the Accuphase and Esoteric if your worried about cost. The new Marantz Reference SA-11S3 for $4K will get you all the high end performance you could ever want from a digital player. Has the warmth and smoothness of the Accuphase and all the dynamics, detail and transparency of the Esoteric. Weighs 38 pounds with a decent power supply. Has filter settings like the Esoteric models to tailor the sound to your liking. The unit is constantly out of stock and usually there is a two week waiting period. Outstanding quality and transport. A steal for the price.
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.