Esoteric X-05 SACD/CD player  Esoteric unveiled its new X-05
SACD/CD player ($5600), which employs a new VRDS-NEO "VMK-5"
drive mechanism that includes a precision machined aluminum
turntable and a polycarbonate clamping mechanism. The VMK-5 is
said to be extremely rigid and optimized for SACD's high-
rotation speeds.  The X-05 also uses Esoteric's new lens
tracking system, which mounts the laser-pickup assembly on a
shaft to ensure that the laser optical axis is always centered
on the the pit track. Esoteric credits this with a huge amount
of the mechanical performance of the X-05.  The X-05's D/A
converter incorporate Cirrus Logic’s 24-bit / 192 kHz processing
DAC device in a dual mono configuration. The analog audio output
circuits are also dual mono for better channel separation.  We
found the X-05 a fascinating example of how dedicated high-end
manufacturers continue to perfect playback mechanisms for
formats that the recording industry have essentially torpedoed.
The turntable was more or less perfected