New Esoteric K-03 in the studio rack

[jerry1404]

Is anyone thinking of adding a master clock such as the ESOTERIC G-ORB RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK GENERATOR or Esoteric G-03X Master Clock Generator? Ive read some reviews in TAS and on the web and all the review claim a huge incredible difference in the SQ level.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jerry1404

Is anyone thinking of adding a master clock such as the ESOTERIC G-ORB RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK GENERATOR or Esoteric G-03X Master Clock Generator? Ive read some reviews in TAS and on the web and all the review claim a huge incredible difference in the SQ level.

Jerry... According to Esoteric the clock built in to the K03 is superior to the G-03X. Now the G-ORB is a completely different story.

[hkval]

Thanks to Dan's incredible review and enthusiasm, my new Esoteric K-03 arrived yesterday and is installed in the rack. The packaging of the Esoteric far exceeds any piece of electronics I have ever owned. It is triple boxed, resting snuggly in quality styrofoam and has release handles to allow you to separate the boxes without cutting the seam tapes. I currently am running the FULL SYSTEM ENHANCER AND REJUVENATION DISC that comes with the unit. Later today, I will actually be playing some music. Here is my first pic of the new baby in its new home.

[JJinID]

Originally Posted by hkval

Thanks to Dan's incredible review and enthusiasm, my new Esoteric K-03 arrived yesterday and is installed in the rack. The packaging of the Esoteric far exceeds any piece of electronics I have ever owned. It is triple boxed, resting snuggly in quality styrofoam and has release handles to allow you to separate the boxes without cutting the seam tapes. I currently am running the FULL SYSTEM ENHANCER AND REJUVENATION DISC that comes with the unit. Later today, I will actually be playing some music. Here is my first pic of the new baby in its new home.

Awesome! Congratulations Howard! I look forward to your listening impressions!

[j3brow]

Congrats Howard!! She is a beauty.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by hkval

Thanks to Dan's incredible review and enthusiasm, my new Esoteric K-03 arrived yesterday and is installed in the rack. The packaging of the Esoteric far exceeds any piece of electronics I have ever owned. It is triple boxed, resting snuggly in quality styrofoam and has release handles to allow you to separate the boxes without cutting the seam tapes. I currently am running the FULL SYSTEM ENHANCER AND REJUVENATION DISC that comes with the unit. Later today, I will actually be playing some music. Here is my first pic of the new baby in its new home.

Howard.......I have just spent the past three hours in the studio listening to my K-03. It is totally thrilling and intoxicating to hear. I am so happy for you because I know how much you and Val enjoy listening to good music and how important high quality sound in your home is to both of you.

I notice you are using the Symposium Rollerblock Jr.'s under your K-03. I have three spare ones myself and may give this a try, although the Esoteric feet are designed for isolation, too. I'll probably try the Rollerblock Jr.'s eventually, but for now I am so blown away by the K-03's performance I can't stop playing it long enough to make the change.

It takes quite some time for the Esoteric K-03 to get fully broken in, but the rewards far outweigh the agony of the wait. We all know that more money can always be spent on a high-end component, but to my ears the K-03 has to be the sweet spot for price to performance in the Esoteric SACD/CD/DAC line. Not only does it deliver outstanding sound, but that sound is highly musical without a hint of digital artifact. If the K-03 doesn't make your toe tap and your head bob, you better have someone check your pulse.

Happy listening, Howard. I'll be watching for your review.

[Audio 1]

Looking awesome HK

[hkval]

I have been getting so much new equipment in the last couple of weeks that I have not had time to start new threads or update the pics of the entertainment center. Actually, that is a nice complaint to have.

Dan: I just played my first couple of CD's on the Esoteric and I have to think you must have had something wrong in your review. You said, and continue to say, that it keeps improving with more hours on it. At this point, I just do not see how that is possible.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by hkval

I have been getting so much new equipment in the last couple of weeks that I have not had time to start new threads or update the pics of the entertainment center. Actually, that is a nice complaint to have.

Dan: I just played my first couple of CD's on the Esoteric and I have to think you must have had something wrong in your review. You said, and continue to say, that it keeps improving with more hours on it. At this point, I just do not see how that is possible.

Congrats, Howard! I am real happy for you.

Be sure to spill the rest of the beans soon.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by hkval

I have been getting so much new equipment in the last couple of weeks that I have not had time to start new threads or update the pics of the entertainment center. Actually, that is a nice complaint to have.

Dan: I just played my first couple of CD's on the Esoteric and I have to think you must have had something wrong in your review. You said, and continue to say, that it keeps improving with more hours on it. At this point, I just do not see how that is possible.

Howard.......You are hearing the K-03 at an earlier stage than I had an opportunity to listen. The demo K-03 I reviewed had 200 hours on it, and I added an additional 175 hours before starting any critical listening for the review. The K-03 I purchased was Ivan's. He bought it new, ran the break-in disc for 500 straight hours, then played three SACD's in it before shipping it to me. I did not have to endure any break-in period on the Esoteric K-03 that is in my rack now. This puts you in virgin territory compared to my experiences with the K-03. None the less, between 200 hours and 375 hours on the demo K-03 I experienced a deepening of the sound stage which I attributed to additional micro dynamics being revealed. I also experienced the presentation taking on an even greater sense of organic life, sounding more like real instruments and real voices as the hours were logged. I have zero doubt you are experiencing some amazing sound from your K-03, but trust me on this, it will get better. An analogy might be to say the difference will be similar to smelling Thanksgiving dinner cooking in your home and actually sitting down at the table with family and enjoying the feast you so patiently anticipated. Enjoy your new Esoteric K-03 in good health.