Oppo Vs Esoteric


Folks,
I would like to acknowledge the fact that I have heard the Esoteric players at AXPONA and coupe of other places. But my question is how much better is a Esoteric K-07X or K-05X compared to the Oppo UDP-205? I know that the Oppo UDP-205 is a killer machine for $1300. But it is a Jack Of All Trades, while the Esoteric is (soft of) Master Of One. So in that sense, can anyone let me know if it is really worth spending $$$$$ on the Esoteric (or a Marantz SA-10 or Luxman) compared to the Oppo?
Please share your experiences if you have compared the Oppo UDP-205 to any high end CD/SACD player.
Thanks!
128x128milpai

Showing 4 responses by calvinj

Oppo ppl make a great machine but the other brands you mention are leagues ahead of it.  Esoteric, Luxman, Bryston.  I had a parasound cd1 and it ran circles around any oppo machine. Oppo is good for the price but the other stuff is next level. I use the Resonessence Mirus Pro Dac which is the high end Dac of the brother of the guy who makes the oppo. It's a great Dac one of the best I have ever heard!
I wasn't dissing oppo I actually own the brother's company Resonessence Mirus Pro Dac. I think the oppo machines are great for what you pay for them and they do video/sacd etc. The truth is that is a good CD player but not a great one in comparison to the others brands. Those brands cost 3 times the price but the do provide better playback!
I hate that people get defensive about the oppo players. Great bargain but once you have heard great cd playback it's another ball game. There is a level of transparency, soundstage and musicality that the other players reach.
Oppo makes a state of the art blu ray player. It makes an above average CD player that doubles as a blu ray player.  All for a little over a grand.  That's great value. However, I put it up against an older Bryston player and it lost, up against the parsasound cd 1 not even close. Luxman d06 not close. Ayon cd2 not close. Solutions 540. Not in the same building!