Oppo Vs Esoteric

@1graber2 Agree 100x. @milpai Yes, higher end products will sound different but, will they provide the sound you are looking for? And will you will be willing to spend that kind of money in order to achieve it? Furthermore; yes a great source is paramount as @1graber2 stated.  However, if your electronics and speakers don't have the resolving power ; you'll never hear this potential.  Until of course you upgrade them.  Frankly, finding a dealer that will let you borrow one of this pieces to hear in your system is the only way to be sure.  Finally;  I also own a 205 and recently upgraded it with the MW 205 upgrade.  It has taken the performance to a new level and I preferred it in my system to the PS/Audio/Directstream combo (that I heard a few months ago with previous firmware).  That stack retails for over 10k.  System synergy and subjective preferences do go a long way. To that end; I'm looking to replace my MW 205 eventually but not as fast as I once thought.  I'm thinking it might take an Esoteric K03X or higher ; Luxman D08u to surpass it.  All those one box players I listed retail for over 10k.

Enjoy the 205.

@in_shore The reason I passed on the PS Audio stack (even though was discounted highly off MSRP) was more so the technical glitches you mentioned.  In addition, I prefer having a one box digital solution.  You might consider checking out the newly released K03Xs model to replace your PS Audio.  I've also seen some used K03X and 01X for sale to make way for the XS models that were just released. I'm also considering Luxman and perhaps even TAD D1000Mk2.  EMM Labs XDSv2 while amazing isn't available new anymore but; probably also very good if you can find a deal.