I am a big Cary fan (I have the 306 SACD)but I think which player you choose really depends on the sound you are after. I think the Cary does a great job with the mids and bass. It emphasizes the mids a bit, adding weight and dimension. The Ayre to me sounded very clear and dynamic but a little lean for my taste. Dont get me wrong, the sound was airy (no pun intended) and uncolored but I tend to like a little midrange bloom. The Esoteric is one of the most neutral players out there. Some people (like me) find it a bit clinical but that is no fault of the Esoteric. Its just so neutral that component matching is important. If it was me, given you system I would get the Ayre or Esoteric.
Cary 306sacd vs. Esoteric SA60 vs. Ayre C-5xe
I have changed my system around since getting the Thiel speakers. I have got a new pre, phonostage and upgraded my turntable. Now its on to digital. I'm wonering what opinions people have that have heard these players. I'm assuming the sacd and redbook of the Esoteric would be the same as on the DV50 or DV60. I'm using an Ayre K-1xe pre and JC-1 monoblock amps into Thiel CS7.2 speakers. I've heard the Ayre and it was very nice. But the review in TAS of the Cary, and online talk has made me very intersted in it also. I also use the Ayre phonostage with my table, and have plans to someday own the new Ayre monoblocks. Any other opinions in the $6K range new or used with my system? Thanks for any thoughts you folks might have.