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  #1  
Old 02-24-2013, 11:07 PM
Blippy Blippy is offline
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Default Any downside to Esoteric K-03 as a CD transport?

I'm in the market for a CD transport and am currently using a Wadia 571 which is on loan from my dealer. It's performing admirably and I have no complaints.


When I started thinking about the cost of the 571 I realized that for a few dollars more I could get an Esoteric K-03 and use its digital output to my DAC for CDs while at the same time gaining SACD playback.

I understand that as an SACD player the K-03 is outstanding, but I've read some comments that its redbook performance isn't on the same level. I vaguely remember reading a comment or review in which someone tested the K-03's digital output when playing a CD and ended up with performance similar to playback through the unit's internal DAC. Any truth to this or am I imagining it?

In other words is there a fundamental problem with the transport and supporting circuitry in the K-03 when it comes to redbook performance? Any potential issues with using the K-03 primarily as a transport?
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Old 02-24-2013, 11:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AMP View Post
I'm in the market for a CD transport and am currently using a Wadia 571 which is on loan from my dealer. It's performing admirably and I have no complaints.


When I started thinking about the cost of the 571 I realized that for a few dollars more I could get an Esoteric K-03 and use its digital output to my DAC for CDs while at the same time gaining SACD playback.

I understand that as an SACD player the K-03 is outstanding, but I've read some comments that its redbook performance isn't on the same level. I vaguely remember reading a comment or review in which someone tested the K-03's digital output when playing a CD and ended up with performance similar to playback through the unit's internal DAC. Any truth to this or am I imagining it?

In other words is there a fundamental problem with the transport and supporting circuitry in the K-03 when it comes to redbook performance? Any potential issues with using the K-03 primarily as a transport?
AMP.......If you have not read my review http://www.audioaficionado.org/esote...h-mcd1100.html, you may gain some insight into its redbook CD playback qualities. The redbook playback of the K-03 is exceptional, even compared to the McIntosh MCD1100. It would be accurate to say redbook does not equal the K-03's SACD playback, but then redbook (PCM) is not SACD (DSD) is it?

Why anyone would want to use the Esoteric K-03 as a transport only is a complete mystery to me. The eight AKM 4399 DAC’s in the K-03 produce astonishing lifelike sound, be it redbook, SACD, hi-res from a music server or hi-res via USB. There is no fundamental problem with Esoteric's newest VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 transport, either. I'm not sure what information is triggering your doubt, but my experience with the K-03 has been nothing short of phenomenal.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 02-25-2013 at 12:00 AM.
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  #3  
Old 02-24-2013, 11:52 PM
Car commander Car commander is offline
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I would second that. If you read other reviews none of them agree that the CD performance is anything less than world class. Mine was fantastic. The Absolute Sound is the only one who had that opinion on the CD performance. Talk to Ivan (master lu) he gives some great deals. My Puccini and 808.3 were not close. I have not listen to a Vivaldi or Scarletti set up but those players are much more expensive.
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Old 02-25-2013, 01:54 AM
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The K03 is Amazing... we have three more AA'rs that will be receiving one this week.
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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Old 02-25-2013, 11:36 AM
Blippy Blippy is offline
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Thanks for the feedback everyone. I checked and indeed it was the TAS review which planted the seed of bias in the back of my head. A brief search yielded similar comments, but with further investigation it became apparent that most were nothing more than hearsay.

I understand that the K-03 is an excellent player in its own right, but I have a DAC which I'm quite happy with and figured it would be easiest to limit my buying criteria to players with excellent digital outputs. Getting SACD and a top quality built-in DAC is merely a bonus.
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Old 02-25-2013, 12:13 PM
Car commander Car commander is offline
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I owed a Mitner MA-1, Benchmark and the DAC in my Puccini and I think the K-03 dac smoked um. I was using a mac book pro running pure and a Meridian control 15.

Having said that I think the CD performance is great than most of the High res stuff. I sold the control 15.

I don't know what dac you are running but I bet the DAC in the K-03 is better.
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Old 02-25-2013, 12:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AMP View Post
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I checked and indeed it was the TAS review which planted the seed of bias in the back of my head. A brief search yielded similar comments, but with further investigation it became apparent that most were nothing more than hearsay.

I understand that the K-03 is an excellent player in its own right, but I have a DAC which I'm quite happy with and figured it would be easiest to limit my buying criteria to players with excellent digital outputs. Getting SACD and a top quality built-in DAC is merely a bonus.
AMP
If you are happy with your DAC why not consider the P-03 or P-02 as a Transport?

I love the build quality of Esoteric gear and enjoyed having their gear in my system. I ultimately found that I preferred other solutions when I compared their latest offerings to some other gear currently available. That said, they are not night and day differences.
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Old 02-25-2013, 01:19 PM
Blippy Blippy is offline
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Quote:
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AMP
If you are happy with your DAC why not consider the P-03 or P-02 as a Transport?
I considered this, but the P-02 is well outside of what I want to spend and the P-03 appears to be going away. Even if one is still to be had I look at the K-03 as being a better solution as I get the bonus of a VERY, VERY good SACD player.
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Old 02-26-2013, 03:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Car commander View Post
I owed a Mitner MA-1, Benchmark and the DAC in my Puccini and I think the K-03 dac smoked um. I was using a mac book pro running pure and a Meridian control 15.

Having said that I think the CD performance is great than most of the High res stuff. I sold the control 15.

I don't know what dac you are running but I bet the DAC in the K-03 is better.
Jim,

Did you try the C15 into the Esoteric dac at all?

howie
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Old 02-26-2013, 10:56 AM
Car commander Car commander is offline
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Yes it worked great. SPDIF connection and simple. I tried a bunch of SPDIF cables and could not tell that it made a difference. The C15 is a nice piece of gear. I owned one for awhile and decided I like playing CD's better. I also think that they sound a little better.
I owned a 808.3 for awhile as well. I think the K-03 and K-01 sound better than the 808.3. But as always that's just my opionion. I didn't think the 808.3 sounded better than the X-03SE I had at the time to compare it to. Then of course there is the SACD issue. The 808.3 is a great sounding player. If I were thinking of making a change I would try to borrow a K-03 (broken in) and see what you think.
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