I haven't owned both the C5XEMP or the X-05, just the C5XE, but have sold it last year to upgrade to the PS Audio Perfect Wave combo.
Based on the sound character of the two companies, I will pick the C5 if you are looking for a more musical and warmer presentation. The sound of Esoteric is more digital and sound brighter at the sub-$10K level.
If you have $6K to spend on a player, I would definitely go for the PS Audio Perfect Wave combo at the same price. The combo is just at a different class, unless you must have a SACD player.
I would like to tell you that after you hear what the HRx disc can do from the PW combo, you will laugth at the SACD.
Based on the sound character of the two companies, I will pick the C5 if you are looking for a more musical and warmer presentation. The sound of Esoteric is more digital and sound brighter at the sub-$10K level.
If you have $6K to spend on a player, I would definitely go for the PS Audio Perfect Wave combo at the same price. The combo is just at a different class, unless you must have a SACD player.
I would like to tell you that after you hear what the HRx disc can do from the PW combo, you will laugth at the SACD.