In a space of 3 years I went up the Oppo ladder from DV-980H to BDP-105D with EVS mods in several steps. I could hear clear improvement with each upgrade which made me hungry for the ultimate upgrade. I knew I couldn't afford my dream Esoteric X-01, but I thought it would be fun to make a spreadsheet comparing the features, MSRPs, date of release, and going price for a used model of all the high-end SACD/Universal disc players that might fit my dream. ABSOLUTELY just for fun and amusement. Then I thought it wouldn't hurt to search for bargains on the used market...just for fun. BIG Mistake!
My spreadsheet kept growing and growing until my head spun. I knew that one feature I loved about the Oppo was the USB input. I can download music onto thumb drives and and scroll through them with ease. In the process of doing my research I came across much praise for the Ayre C-5Xce. So I added it to my spreadsheet. Alas, it lacks the USB port. The Ayre DX-5 has USB. I am not so good at keeping model names and numbers straight in my head.
A month or so goes by and I see a C-5Xce MP on the bay for a good price. I shave a few hundred off and make an offer. It is accepted and I joyfully make the payment. When I get it all set up I will sell the BDP-105 so I really didn't spend too much, anyway. The next day I had a haunting feeling that something was wrong. I went back and consulted my spreadsheet and as you can see, I had bought the wrong Ayre model! It does sound a tad better than the BDP-105; (maybe my hearing is not good enough to fully appreciate the benefits) but it can't replace it because it doesn't fulfill all the same functions. I can't sell the Oppo or defray the cost of the Ayre, which I seldom use because navigation is a PIA. I can't see the LED screen from my chair. So I definitely wouldn't miss the Ayre if it was gone. Sometimes I think I'll resell it but I never get around to it.
My spreadsheet kept growing and growing until my head spun. I knew that one feature I loved about the Oppo was the USB input. I can download music onto thumb drives and and scroll through them with ease. In the process of doing my research I came across much praise for the Ayre C-5Xce. So I added it to my spreadsheet. Alas, it lacks the USB port. The Ayre DX-5 has USB. I am not so good at keeping model names and numbers straight in my head.
A month or so goes by and I see a C-5Xce MP on the bay for a good price. I shave a few hundred off and make an offer. It is accepted and I joyfully make the payment. When I get it all set up I will sell the BDP-105 so I really didn't spend too much, anyway. The next day I had a haunting feeling that something was wrong. I went back and consulted my spreadsheet and as you can see, I had bought the wrong Ayre model! It does sound a tad better than the BDP-105; (maybe my hearing is not good enough to fully appreciate the benefits) but it can't replace it because it doesn't fulfill all the same functions. I can't sell the Oppo or defray the cost of the Ayre, which I seldom use because navigation is a PIA. I can't see the LED screen from my chair. So I definitely wouldn't miss the Ayre if it was gone. Sometimes I think I'll resell it but I never get around to it.