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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 4 responses by skreich

skreich OP
20 posts
 
Tboooe,

I don't think I got a direct message from you, at least not by this name. You can contact me at steven.k.reich@gmail.com.
skreich OP
20 posts
 
Both redbook and SACD. I have far more redbooks, but I think the SACDs sound significantly better and am not ready to give them up.
skreich OP
20 posts
 
The rest of my system is pretty good including the cabling. As I've been using an Accuphase player for the last 4 years, and love its organic, slightly warm sound, I'm just a little uneasy about ending up with a player more on the analytic/sterile side. I have also heard some scattered stories about the Esoteric transports being noisy.
skreich OP
20 posts
 
I'm starting to think that I asked an unfair, or perhaps, unanswerable question. A lot of people are advising the Esoteric, but I get the sense that few, if any, have actually heard an Accuphase. I know they don't get reviewed in the major stereo magazines, have a pretty small dealer network, and are pretty expensive. I can see that the Esoteric players have a loyal following, but I'm still not sure I've gotten many real comparisons. I do appreciate the comments that have been made so far, though.
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