Any experience with the Esoteric UX-1

LBSILVER, you have a legitimate concern. Give a call to John as I suggested. He does carry both brands and is very familiar with UX-1. He will give you his very knowledgeable opinion.
I have personally compare X-01 with the Burmester 001 and Bel Canto PL1-a. They were all on the same system. X-01 was so much better than Burmester it was like night and day. Bel Canto was closer to X-01, but still no cigar.
My detailed findings are on the following thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1090867688&openfrom&4&4#4

I have not heard the UX-1 but have listened to the X-01, which does only redbook and SACD and absolutely love it. Please note that the X-01 does not have DVD nor video, but has twice the DAC chips as the UX-1 and is supposed to sound better for audio than UX-1.
You may want to give a call to my friend John Loranger, proprietor of Rangers Audio in Beaverton (Or). His company carries both AYRE and Esoteric. Last I spoke to him he did have a UX-1 in stock. By the way, the UX-1 and X-01 cost the same. If your interest is purely audio you may want to consider X-01. The sound of X-01 is further enhanced by the application of an upgraded powerchord, like the Shunyata Anaconda.
Rangers Audio can be found at 508-627-0847.

EJLIF, I did read the sound thrashing that the X-01 and UX-1 players received on Absolute Sound and the reviews left me befuddled. My admittedly short experience with X-01 was very different. I can't even decide if it's the usual matter of 'beauty is in the ears of the audiofool', or it's a matter of me not having heard as many players as the reviewer. But this far TAS is the only dissenting thumbs-down review of the X-01, whatever the reasons.
Isn't amazing how the same device can be praised and thrashed by different equally respectable reviewers?

Steve, I am glad I must not have been the only one to ablate significant amounts of scalp scratching my head after having read the TAS review.
Was the reviewer just trying to be 'different'?
Having said that, I have also heard that the new AYRE multiformat player is supposed to be outstanding.