I know this is an old thread but in case anyone is still comparing an Esoteric with Marantz. I have owned both brands, and I still have an Esoteric specificallly a UX-3SE. Any Marantz I tried in my home was stomped into the ground by my Esoteric and that includes a Marantz KI Ruby. And where did someone come up with Esoteric being unreliable? Marantz yes, Esoteric no. I had Marantz players have lasers fail after a few years and then have Marantz tell me that there are no laser assemblies made for that model anymore? After three years? Esoteric has a wonderful repair center in LA that can repair any Esoteric model.
Pricey for Esoteric? Yes, but like a well built auto the Esoteric performs as designed, and does so for a long time.
No competiton - Esoteric is the way to go if one can afford it...
Pricey for Esoteric? Yes, but like a well built auto the Esoteric performs as designed, and does so for a long time.
No competiton - Esoteric is the way to go if one can afford it...