K-03 Shootout Coming...

[analog brother]

her sister is newer se model, some improvement in image palpability, depth, and staging.

[Wasatch]

Well, I got a chance to hear the K-03 Thursday. Associated gear what I can recall: Vienna Acoustic Speakers ($30K), ARC Mono Blocks ($40K), not sure which pre, Kimber Kables speaker (around $5-7K), Kimber Kable interconnects. Sounded very nice, but I would take the Burmester 089 any day in the week, and I heard the K-03 went up in price. The Burmester has a more natural sound, more tubey/warm, the K-03 is more analytical/digital and way brighter than the Burmester, but the Burmester has the same detail, go figure. Could not get it to play 192k files.

[jdandy]

John.......Good to know you got to hear the Esoteric K-03. Comparing the K-03 ($10,900) to the Burmester 089 ($30,495) is a bit of an apples to oranges audition. Perhaps the Esoteric K-01 ($19,500) against the Burmester 089 may have been closer but still an $11,000 difference in retail price.

[Wasatch]

Originally Posted by jdandy

John.......Good to know you got to hear the Esoteric K-03. Comparing the K-03 ($10,900) to the Burmester 089 ($30,495) is a bit of an apples to oranges audition. Perhaps the Esoteric K-01 ($19,500) against the Burmester 089 may have been closer but still an $11,000 difference in retail price.

Wait a minute, you have threads here that people said that the K-03 is better than the Burmester 089. I also heard the K-03 is going up to $15K soon.

[Wasatch]

If not this thread, another. I did not make this stuff up. I believe a few people said the K-03 is better on this forum. That is one of the reasons I went to this meet to checkout the K-03, and those are my thoughts about it, a friend also was not that impressed with it for the price, especially.

[jdandy]

John.......I am not challenging your opinion of what you heard. I simply made an observation. Obviously, you and your friend may enjoy whatever makes you happy. Your opinion doesn't alter my enjoyment of the Esoteric K-03 in the least. To each their own.

[Masterlu]

I own both the Burmester 089 and the Esoteric K01 & K03.

Not to derail this thread, but the K01 will run circles around the 089; and I love my Burmester gear.

[djwhog]

I would not own and other sacd/dac machine. It is that good!

And PS I like digital that plays digital. I use a table for warm pure analog reproductions..

to each there own

it is all good!

[Tremayne]

Originally Posted by jdandy

John.......Good to know you got to hear the Esoteric K-03. Comparing the K-03 ($10,900) to the Burmester 089 ($30,495) is a bit of an apples to oranges audition. Perhaps the Esoteric K-01 ($19,500) against the Burmester 089 may have been closer but still an $11,000 difference in retail price.

Dan,
In the UK, until Wednesday, the K-01 and the 089 at around £15k each are virtually the same price, making this a valid comparison.
Esoteric's 33% price increase (UK only) on the 1st of May will make the K-01 £5k more expensive.

[jdandy]

Colin.......Everyone's opinion is valid, at least one person.