Marantz SA-10 Vs Esoteric K-05Xs

I agree that it would be best to try the Marantz SA-10 and Esoteric players before buying (new or used). But there are only a small handful of Marantz dealers in South FL and haven't found one yet that as the SA-10 on display that I could listen to. 

@fauguy  , have you considered Music Direct?  I believe they still sell them (that's where I got mine) and they do offer free shipping to you with a 60 day audition period.  (I assume if one decides to send something back that Music Direct does not pay the freight for shipping on that end of the deal.)

@immatthewj I looked at Music Direct, and for example, the Marantz SA-10 they show it for $7500 and with the 60 day. Other SACD players they have are Denon and McIntosh. But all are brand new, so out of by budget. That's why I was looking on sites such as eBay and Audiogon and others, to find players at a discount.

@fauguy , keep your eye on them, because they occasionally have open box or factory refurb specials at significant discounts and still with the 60 day audition. (Mine was a "factory refurb for 2k off of list.) I think there is a way to sign up on MD for their emails that advertise when they have those sales.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsa10s1-rb/marantz-sa10-sacd-player-black/1.html

I did see one post of a person from 2018 that had bought a Esoteric K-07X and the switching power supply developed a hum from the unit itself. They send it in for repair, but still has the issue, so had to pay the pri difference for the K-05K that has the Toroidal power supply and no hum. But this is the only post I can find on line about somone with this issue. I was looking for the newer K-07XS model, but it also uses a switching power supply. For the price, I would think Esoteric would have a Toroidal power supply in all their players.

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/38554-noisy-esoteric-k07x-dac/