Just find a dealer willing to loan you both units and make your own judgements. It your ears!
Audio Research Ref CD8 vs Esoteric X03SE
Looking to take my digital front end up a few notches and am looking at the CD8 and the X03SE. I have an Audio Research Ref3 preamp, Pass Labs X250.5 amp, and Magnepan 20.1 speakers and want a CD player with good bottom end control and extension. Need help deciding.