Don't know about the Esoteric at all, but I do have the Marantz. Compared to others that I have (BAT, Raysonic, Wadia, Cal Audio) and I have compared it to them at length, the Marantz is more forward in the mid-range. It has excellent bass and is not 'bright' at all. Compared to the others, except the Wadia, it is more transparent. It is more dynamic than all of the others and it gets a lot of listening time.
Re the headphone out put. Using Senn 650's it is flat and cold. I much more enjoy these phones with a Woo WA3 (with up graded tubes). On the cheap you might like a Fournier headphone amp for about 1/3d the cost. Looks cheap! but sounds quite good with my Senn 650s or 590. I use this and the 590 on my TV.
Hope that helps a bit.
Re the headphone out put. Using Senn 650's it is flat and cold. I much more enjoy these phones with a Woo WA3 (with up graded tubes). On the cheap you might like a Fournier headphone amp for about 1/3d the cost. Looks cheap! but sounds quite good with my Senn 650s or 590. I use this and the 590 on my TV.
Hope that helps a bit.