@stereo5 has the right idea.
I bought a used (obviously) Esoteric DV-50S about 6 years ago for $900 (original price was $6,000). It was 11 years old when I bought it and it is now 17 years old and still going strong. Most of my CDs have been ripped to FLAC files, but not all recent purchases have.
I have a few SACDs as well (maybe a dozen). If I have a choice, I’ll opt for a hi-res digital version of an album over physical media but I won’t pass up a bargain on SACD or CD either.
The DAC of the Esoteric has stood up well against modern DACs. It is only recently that have I started to by-pass the internal DAC of the Esoteric (when playing CDs) in favour of my external DAC (a tweaked Gustard x20 Pro). Although, to be fair, the differences are still very close. I would probably hear more of a difference with a more expensive DAC.
I anticipate that I will continue to use the DV-50S as a CD transport for quite a while longer. Whenever it dies, I will replace it with another (older) high quality player. YMMV.
I bought a used (obviously) Esoteric DV-50S about 6 years ago for $900 (original price was $6,000). It was 11 years old when I bought it and it is now 17 years old and still going strong. Most of my CDs have been ripped to FLAC files, but not all recent purchases have.
I have a few SACDs as well (maybe a dozen). If I have a choice, I’ll opt for a hi-res digital version of an album over physical media but I won’t pass up a bargain on SACD or CD either.
The DAC of the Esoteric has stood up well against modern DACs. It is only recently that have I started to by-pass the internal DAC of the Esoteric (when playing CDs) in favour of my external DAC (a tweaked Gustard x20 Pro). Although, to be fair, the differences are still very close. I would probably hear more of a difference with a more expensive DAC.
I anticipate that I will continue to use the DV-50S as a CD transport for quite a while longer. Whenever it dies, I will replace it with another (older) high quality player. YMMV.