Esoteric X03SE vs Ayon CD-2 or CD-5

I auditionded the Ayon CD2 through my Joule Electra tube preamp, Vac 80/80 tube amp, Aural Symphonic cables and Sonus Faber Extrema speakers and found instruments in musical selections to be disconnected in space albeit the imaging, resolution and soundstaging were very fine indeed. The
Ayon to me was analytical rather than musical.

Why would you use a preamp like Jolida when the Ayon has a preamp?

Sorry, I stand corrected. I meant Joule Electra preamp. To many stages to get the final product. The Ayon provides outstanding soudstage and is second to only the Ayon CD5.

Nisey - what are you going to buy to replace the CD5 you are selling?

Dear Nisey

One of the "things" the joule preamp does is spread out the music into a "wall of sound" that fills up the room really big. You don't get a framed "acoustic image" between your speakers. I prefer big sound.