Ayre C 5xe Universal vs. Cary 306 SACD

It would be great to get feedback and direct comparisons of the following from these 2 players head to head:
Redbook
HDCD
SACD

Khrys: "The C-5xe is the finest Redbook player yet made."
Are you kidding?
Over at AA, I got into a bit of a tussle when I observed, based on a A-B test, that I didn't care for the CD playback of the C5xe compared to my Moon Supernova. Too smooth, not involving enough - for me. I WAS blown away by the SACD playback of the Ayre, however.
I'm quite sure that the CD playback of one of the higher priced, highly regarded units (such as EMM, Reimko, etc) could be better than what I've heard - but I can't afford them, so I'm better off being ignorant and blissful.
The Ayre (and the Cary) are fine units, but the best?
Nah. Ayre is fine gear, but the hype (not from the company)is a bit much. For certain, it is not all things to all people. BTW, I do own an Ayre V5xe. I have nothing against the company. Is it the best? No, but at it's price, it is VERY good.

Sorry but it's the best. Sorry about your AA tussle. What, pray tell, sounds better than the C-5xe on 99% of Redbook?

I'd agree that "best" may be a bit of a reach however it is the "best" I have heard that I can reasonably aspire to someday own. Like I said earlier it was the best my system had ever sounded when the C5 was put into the mix last weekend. The fact that it was so much beyond the C7Xe which is a very well respected CD player in its own right and one which I'll have until a C5 shows up for $3,900. I'm reasonably certain that it is likely the best I can find for a $3,900 investment. This all said everything in this price range is often different more so than better...a couple of buddies of mine were over and we were comparing the Aesthetix Calypso to the Pass X1. Was one better than the other? The two buddies preferred the Pass, I preferred the Calypso but the point is I certainly would not call one better than the other. As with the C5 both of these preamps are at the upper limit of my spending threshold. It would still be nice to get some direct comparisons to the Ayre & the Cary which is where this thread started.

I'm glad to finally know which is the best redbook player. Khrys, would you please also tell me which are the best speakers, amplifier and preamplier. It'll save me a lot of research.