I seriously considered an Esoteric and I’m sure they are fabulous players. Didn’t have an opportunity to compare the brands and I’m sure I’d have been satisfied either way. Three considerations pointed me to Marantz: 1) the 90s Marantz I owned was the first and only ‘early days’ player in my experience that sounded good to me, 2) the top end SA-10 Marantz cost what a mid tier Esoteric cost, 3) the dealer I bought it from described the Marantz as a player that didn’t sound hyper-detailed nor digital. It sounded like music, not equipment. I have to agree.