New K-03 review (sort of)

[Matt Lan]

Yesterday, I finally picked up my new K-03 SACD/CD player – as you well know, there is nothing like the anticipation of adding a new, quality component to your system. All the more so when the expected improvement is not incremental, but rather on an order of magnitude. High hopes indeed as I upgrade from my trusty Oppo-95, now doing Blu-ray duty exclusively.

First off, no new owner review can compete with those of our very own Dan – his authoritative reviews are the gold standard, as much for how well they are written as for the “ring of truth”. There is no doubt that his review comparing the K-03 to the MCD1100 moved many of us to take the plunge. And many more here have since reviewed their K-03 - and can do a much better job than me of describing exactly what they hear. I don’t have that level of experience, and probably don’t have golden ears, so I won’t bore or mislead any of you by telling you I think it sounds [insert: lovely, haunting, warm, cold, detailed, smooth, laid back, non-fatiguing, dynamic, stunning, lemon meringue pie…]

Suffice to say, I am sure it will sound GREAT – and I’ll just let you know if that’s not the case in a few months’ time after it settles in.

What I can do is share my owner experience, for what it’s worth, some little observations about the product itself and my road to get here.

I did a lot of reading here and elsewhere on the K-03, and did not demo a unit in person. Based on my research, I was comfortable taking the plunge. My decision was driven by 3 main things (besides the great sound):

1. The unit appears extremely well-built and solid. The transport in particular was a big attraction – no unit costing this much money should be anything less than that, IMHO.

2. I plan to set up a server in the future – and having access to the great DACS with multiple inputs, esp. USB, is a big plus for me in terms of longer term usefulness.

3. The price, while very expensive by my standards, was not completely out of reach. Doable, if just so. Please do not ask me about pricing, I encourage you to reach out to Ivan when you are ready to buy.

Speaking of, Ivan was very easy to do business with. As is the case with many of you here, I feel I know you and trust you based on our interactions. Certainly not all, but many of the active folks here. The purchase was a ten minute phone call with credit card – and nine of the minutes were spent chatting and saying hello. Smooth, seamless, can’t ask for more than that. Thanks Ivan.

Shipping was fast once the unit was in stock, two weeks total from the date of order. Packaging is world class – this has been mentioned before, nothing to add here – I had utmost confidence it would be delivered in perfect condition, and it was. I also confirmed the triple-boxed unit fits with room to spare in the trunk of a Hyundai Elantra. My car also enjoyed the fact that it doubled in value on the way home…



It’s a heavy sucker, probably over 80 pounds packaged. Actually, not so much heavy as awkward – definitely easier to lug up stairs with a second set of arms. Kinda reminds me of the pictogram on my 800D shipping cartons, the one with the 3 stickmen and a lightning bolt shooting out of their lower back. You get the idea… Huffed and puffed it up the stairs on my own, and deposited it in the living room for installation last night after work.

Like a linebacker at a Chinese buffet, I tucked in to the sweet packing materials and laid everything out. No issues here – everything in order.
I struggled badly, however, with the connection of my unit, and actually broke down with a call to Esoteric support. No, not Dan or Ivan, the actual support line…



Good news is they called back promptly, better news is that I had “solved” my problem by then. Quick sidebar, there seems to be an intermittent issue with my C2300 – when I switch cables or toggle between inputs with the remote (CD to DVD for example) sometimes the unit will not pick up an input signal – no noise, no movement of the meters, nothing in both channels. Need to look into that at some point soon.

Many have commented on the large number of K-03 programmable settings – this probably added to my issues as I was not sure if the problem was at the unit setup level or with the preamp. I read through the manual to make sure all was connected properly and the settings were correct for balanced outs. I had to confirm the “hot pin #2” setting with the C2300 manual, which refers to pin “#2 Positive”. Once I confirmed they mean the same thing, I was convinced the problem had to be elsewhere. After reconnecting the same cables to the Oppo, then reverting them back to the K-03 – we had blessed sound. Kind of a frustrating first hour through…



A few observations (not related to how the unit sounds):

The manual is fairly poor. Not that it’s excessively over-or-under complicated, but it just isn’t that well done. I had to re-read it and cross reference a fair bit while I was trying to trouble shoot my lack of sound. It’s not horrible, just not great – and there are still things I am not quite sure of:

Does the unit really only turn off with the faceplate button – can’t be done with the remote? (more on the remote below).

I assume the Analog Output Attenuation should be off if using a preamp?

Assuming yes, then the volume controls +/- are inoperative, just fixed output?

Digital Output - OFF/CD/THRU – not sure what this does. I have it set to OFF.

The 6db boost – I found this brings the output in line with what I am used to. My listening (501’s into 800D) is generally at 30 to 40 displayed on the C2300, 50 is LOUD.

As for the remote, I guess I had unrealistic expectations based on what I read. Yes, it’s heavy and wrapped in leather. So is my rear end when I attend Oktoberfest.



The ergonomics are horrible. The majority of the TINY buttons do not even work with the K-03. Besides Open/Close and the standard Play/Stop/Pause/FF array, I count 24 buttons that will never be used. I know this is a multi-remote for other products in the lineup, but for the price of admission for this or the K-01, you would expect something a little bit better thought out. I almost spilled my beer, laughing uncontrollably, when I realized you need to undo two Phillips screws to access the battery compartment. You have to be kidding me.



I got to listen to 4 or 5 CD’s and SACDs before bed, and it sounds good to me, right out of the box. I am of course reserving judgment until I have played it for a few months.

I ran the supplied break in disc for the last 15 hours or so – how can anyone resist the promised strict mathematical criteria, demagnetization, conditioning and rejuvenation? From here on in, I will be doing the break-in primarily with music, and I look forward to the ride.

I will try the various filters and up-sampling over the coming weeks, and am really looking forward to the journey as much as the destination.

Have a great weekend folks!

Cheers

Matt

[jdandy]

Matt.......That was an enjoyable read. Your comment about the value of your car doubling on the way home gave me a good laugh.

Unfortunately the K-03 only turns on and off from the front panel button. I have elected to simply leave mine energized. It doesn't hurt anything, and the player is always warm and ready.

The digital out should be set to Off unless you plan to use the digital out to another DAC, which is highly unlikely.

Analog output Attenuation is set to Off unless you plan to use the K-03 as a preamplifier.

The remote volume works only with the Attenuation turned On.

+6dB is the correct setting for XLR and McIntosh.

Have fun breaking in your new Esoteric K-03. It is a tremendous SACD/CD/DAC.

[Matt Lan]

Thanks Dan - I enjoy writing, and always hope folks can find a laugh or at least a smile.

Appreciate the concise answers - that pretty much covers my open questions for the moment.

Martini chilled, I just fired her up and will be spinning my first of many SACD's tonight!

Cheers

Matt

[jdandy]

Matt........My suggestion for break-in is to use the provided break-in disc when you are not listening to music. Just shut down the system but leave the K-03 energized. Spin the break-in disc on the repeat disc setting, accessed from the remote control. It lights the repeat song/repeat disc symbol in the display window. That way you will speed up logging break-in hours on the player when you're not enjoying music.

[Haydn]

Matt, I enjoyed your 'first day' review

Thanks for asking your questions. I am sure I will benefit from your solutions.

[Matt Lan]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Matt........My suggestion for break-in is to use the provided break-in disc when you are not listening to music. Just shut down the system but leave the K-03 energized. Spin the break-in disc on the repeat disc setting, accessed from the remote control. It lights the repeat song/repeat disc symbol in the display window. That way you will speed up logging break-in hours on the player when you're not enjoying music.

Sure thing - will run it from time to time.

I measure my system upgrade interval in decades, LOL, this recent foray is replacing a well-loved MA6100 and XR7's!

No rush whatsoever...



Cheers

Matt

[Matt Lan]

Originally Posted by Haydn

Matt, I enjoyed your 'first day' review

Thanks for asking your questions. I am sure I will benefit from your solutions.

No kidding - this place is a wealth of knowledge. I only hope to give a little along the way, while benefitting from everyone's generosity.



Mc/Esoteric Group Hug, What do you Say?

[edkoz]

Matt, Thank you for one of the best "non-reviews" I have read in some time. It was to the point, well thought out and with ample room for the reader to use thier own imagination.
Thanks for giving me smile
Ed

[Tompy]

Matt, that was the most to-the-point First Contact review I have ever read. You dealt with issues normally left out in reviews, and I find them very helpful. I will no doubt grab back to your honest review once I have bought my K-03 (still saving for that big moment). Very well written with a nice dry sense of humour in the right places. Compliments mate!

[bart]

Originally Posted by Tompy

Matt, that was the most to-the-point First Contact review I have ever read. You dealt with issues normally left out in reviews, and I find them very helpful. I will no doubt grab back to your honest review once I have bought my K-03 (still saving for that big moment). Very well written with a nice dry sense of humour in the right places. Compliments mate!

Absolutely!