Icorem, having owned several Esoteric players, DV-50, X-03SE and currently an SA-50 I can tell you with a high degree of certainty that if you love the smoothness of the Lector (which I think is a very good player) you are likely to be disappointed with the Esoteric. The Esoteric has much different "sound" goals vs. the Lector.
Personally, I prefer the sound of Esoteric over the warmer sound of the Lector (or Audio Aero Capitole and other "warmish" sound digital players). It seems based on your other equipment (pass labs, Lector) that if you still feel the Esoteric is too detailed for you, then this may not be the best player/brand for you.
I'd give it a bit more time to break in, but in the end, I just doubt you get the warmth you want.
But also, I would suggest possibly the room treatments you have considered already. Your hardwood floor and bare walls are probably adding to your feeling of need to warm things up.
Will a tube DAC warm up the Esoteric? Sure and there are a lot of different ones that will do this. But is this really the best approach to reach your goals? I can't answer this with certainty, but I would have to suggest not.
Personally, I prefer the sound of Esoteric over the warmer sound of the Lector (or Audio Aero Capitole and other "warmish" sound digital players). It seems based on your other equipment (pass labs, Lector) that if you still feel the Esoteric is too detailed for you, then this may not be the best player/brand for you.
I'd give it a bit more time to break in, but in the end, I just doubt you get the warmth you want.
But also, I would suggest possibly the room treatments you have considered already. Your hardwood floor and bare walls are probably adding to your feeling of need to warm things up.
Will a tube DAC warm up the Esoteric? Sure and there are a lot of different ones that will do this. But is this really the best approach to reach your goals? I can't answer this with certainty, but I would have to suggest not.