Esoteric K-03 versus McIntosh MCD1100

[Masterlu]

PaulC... Welcome!

[jdandy]

PaulC.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

[PaulC]

Thanks! I've been on a three year journey designing and building a dedicated room with acoustic treatments and new components. This site has been a great resource and i look forward to more useful advice and opinion.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I auditioned the Esoteric K-03, D-02 and EMM DAC2X at a dealer yesterday. Up to this point my favorite CD/SACD Player that I have auditioned was the McIntosh MCD-1100. Yesterday I was listening through a Chord Reference pre-amp and monoblocks and KEF Blade Speakers. Yesterday's audition was limited to redbook CDs, so my comments apply to CD performance only. Settings used on the Esoteric were 4x oversampling and apodizing filter setting 2.

Let me start by saying I was mightily impressed by the K-03's performance. I was concerned that vocals would sound sterile or thin compared to the lush midrange of the MCD-1100. This was not the case at all. Both male and female vocals came through with a warmth and naturalness that was intoxicating. Midrange was thick but not bloated. In addition, I heard tremendous extension in the treble but without a hint of brightness or listener fatigue. Furthermore, there was additional detail or nuance that I had not previously heard on CDs I've listened to many many times. The soundstage was wide and deep and there was a great deal of air around instruments and voices. I noticed nice decay on piano notes on my Telarc Gershwin CD.

The D-02 was used with the K-03 transport. With this combination I noticed slight improvement over the K-03 in smoothness and density of the music, and in general, a slightly more refined sound. I would say that I slightly preferred this combo to the K-03.

The EMM DAC2X with K-03 transport was very smooth and analog sounding but after listening to the Esoterics, I have to say it sounded a bit muffled in the treble compared to the tremendous extension of the Esoterics. Listener fatigue was very low with this DAC and the sound was very enjoyable. However, after just listening to the Esoterics, it sounded like there was a lid on the top end and something was definitely missing.

At this point, it now looks like my next CD/SACD player will be an Esoteric. I'm leaning towards the K-03 but haven't ruled out the K-01 if I can justify the additional cost.

Please keep in mind, these are just my opinions and observations, based on a three hour listening session.

Thanks,
PSF

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I auditioned the Esoteric K-03, D-02 and EMM DAC2X at a dealer yesterday. Up to this point my favorite CD/SACD Player that I have auditioned was the McIntosh MCD-1100. Yesterday I was listening through a Chord Reference pre-amp and monoblocks and KEF Blade Speakers. Yesterday's audition was limited to redbook CDs, so my comments apply to CD performance only. Settings used on the Esoteric were 4x oversampling and apodizing filter setting 2.

Let me start by saying I was mightily impressed by the K-03's performance. I was concerned that vocals would sound sterile or thin compared to the lush midrange of the MCD-1100. This was not the case at all. Both male and female vocals came through with a warmth and naturalness that was intoxicating. Midrange was thick but not bloated. In addition, I heard tremendous extension in the treble but without a hint of brightness or listener fatigue. Furthermore, there was additional detail or nuance that I had not previously heard on CDs I've listened to many many times. The soundstage was wide and deep and there was a great deal of air around instruments and voices. I noticed nice decay on piano notes on my Telarc Gershwin CD.

The D-02 was used with the K-03 transport. With this combination I noticed slight improvement over the K-03 in smoothness and weight of the music and in general, a slightly more refined sound. I would say that I slightly preferred this combo to the K-03.

The EMM DAC2X with K-03 transport was very smooth and analog sounding but after listening to the Esoterics, I have to say it sounded a bit muffled in the treble compared to the tremendous extension of the Esoterics. Listener fatigue was very low with this DAC and the sound was very enjoyable. However, after just listening to the Esoterics, it sounded like there was a lid on the top end and something was definitely missing.

At this point, it now looks like my next CD/SACD player will be an Esoteric. I'm leaning towards the K-03 but haven't ruled out the K-01 if I can justify the additional cost.

Please keep in mind, these are just my opinions and observations, based on a three hour listening session.

Thanks,
PSF

PSF....thanks for posting....

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I auditioned the Esoteric K-03, D-02 and EMM DAC2X at a dealer yesterday. Up to this point my favorite CD/SACD Player that I have auditioned was the McIntosh MCD-1100. Yesterday I was listening through a Chord Reference pre-amp and monoblocks and KEF Blade Speakers. Yesterday's audition was limited to redbook CDs, so my comments apply to CD performance only. Settings used on the Esoteric were 4x oversampling and apodizing filter setting 2.

Let me start by saying I was mightily impressed by the K-03's performance. I was concerned that vocals would sound sterile or thin compared to the lush midrange of the MCD-1100. This was not the case at all. Both male and female vocals came through with a warmth and naturalness that was intoxicating. Midrange was thick but not bloated. In addition, I heard tremendous extension in the treble but without a hint of brightness or listener fatigue. Furthermore, there was additional detail or nuance that I had not previously heard on CDs I've listened to many many times. The soundstage was wide and deep and there was a great deal of air around instruments and voices. I noticed nice decay on piano notes on my Telarc Gershwin CD.

The D-02 was used with the K-03 transport. With this combination I noticed slight improvement over the K-03 in smoothness and density of the music, and in general, a slightly more refined sound. I would say that I slightly preferred this combo to the K-03.

The EMM DAC2X with K-03 transport was very smooth and analog sounding but after listening to the Esoterics, I have to say it sounded a bit muffled in the treble compared to the tremendous extension of the Esoterics. Listener fatigue was very low with this DAC and the sound was very enjoyable. However, after just listening to the Esoterics, it sounded like there was a lid on the top end and something was definitely missing.

At this point, it now looks like my next CD/SACD player will be an Esoteric. I'm leaning towards the K-03 but haven't ruled out the K-01 if I can justify the additional cost.

Please keep in mind, these are just my opinions and observations, based on a three hour listening session.

Thanks,
PSF

Ken... I knew you would be impressed.

[Car commander]

I don't think you can ever justify the cost. You just do it if you can and want to. The K-01 is significantly better than the K-03. I have owned both. Ivan can probably make you a great deal on the K-01 do it if you can.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I auditioned the Esoteric K-03, D-02 and EMM DAC2X at a dealer yesterday. Up to this point my favorite CD/SACD Player that I have auditioned was the McIntosh MCD-1100. Yesterday I was listening through a Chord Reference pre-amp and monoblocks and KEF Blade Speakers. Yesterday's audition was limited to redbook CDs, so my comments apply to CD performance only. Settings used on the Esoteric were 4x oversampling and apodizing filter setting 2.

Let me start by saying I was mightily impressed by the K-03's performance. I was concerned that vocals would sound sterile or thin compared to the lush midrange of the MCD-1100. This was not the case at all. Both male and female vocals came through with a warmth and naturalness that was intoxicating. Midrange was thick but not bloated. In addition, I heard tremendous extension in the treble but without a hint of brightness or listener fatigue. Furthermore, there was additional detail or nuance that I had not previously heard on CDs I've listened to many many times. The soundstage was wide and deep and there was a great deal of air around instruments and voices. I noticed nice decay on piano notes on my Telarc Gershwin CD.

The D-02 was used with the K-03 transport. With this combination I noticed slight improvement over the K-03 in smoothness and density of the music, and in general, a slightly more refined sound. I would say that I slightly preferred this combo to the K-03.

The EMM DAC2X with K-03 transport was very smooth and analog sounding but after listening to the Esoterics, I have to say it sounded a bit muffled in the treble compared to the tremendous extension of the Esoterics. Listener fatigue was very low with this DAC and the sound was very enjoyable. However, after just listening to the Esoterics, it sounded like there was a lid on the top end and something was definitely missing.

At this point, it now looks like my next CD/SACD player will be an Esoteric. I'm leaning towards the K-03 but haven't ruled out the K-01 if I can justify the additional cost.

Please keep in mind, these are just my opinions and observations, based on a three hour listening session.

Thanks,
PSF

Ken.......Thanks for posting your impression on the Esoteric K-03 with and without the Esoteric D-02. I would fully expect that the D-02 DAC would outperform the K-03's DAC, although I would have to ask myself if the "slight improvement" is worth the additional $23,990.00 on top of the K-03's $11,650.00. To my way of thinking, the K-01 at $20,450.00 represents a better combination unless you are going to really jump into the deep end of the pool with the Esoteric P-02 and D-02 combination at (gulp) $47,980.00. Without the direct comparison of the K-03 to the D-02 DAC or the K-01 I think you could live quite happily for a long time with the K-03. I now have two K-03's in different systems in my home and find myself thoroughly mesmerized with the performance of both systems. The grand total was slightly less than a single D-02, and you would still need a transport if you went that route.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts on the audition. I enjoyed reading your impressions.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Thanks MyPal. Not to take anything away from the MCD-1100, it is a great sounding player.

Ivan, you were so right about the K-03. Thanks!

PSF/Ken

[MyPal]

As we shall undoubtably converge into the de-facto world of DSD downloads, the D02 does some fancy DSD processing via async USB.

That is one DAC I would love to own & hang a CAPS off. : yes:

If you already have a decent spinner, the D02 could be a logical way forward.....And then there's the matter of a separate clock.