If the Esoteric K03Xs CD/SACD Player has harsh leading and trailing edges...

[Addicted to hifi]

I found a simpler path and a cheaper path through Luxman. Having sold my 03Xs I’m not missing anything rather I’m able to enjoy great resolution without strain or harshness. I’m waiting for the return of my ARC Ref CD9. The unit had a power supply issue. I heard it only briefly before it failed. Frustrating because the cost of 2xshipping is rather high @$1kUSD plus the cost of repair.

Cart go wrong with luxman.I love my d10x.

 

[Phillyb]

Funny, I owned the Esoteric K-01 and I found it very musical. I used no tweaks on my cables or power cords. Which can cause issues with the balance of the signal where highs become forward etc. If I played 1950s Sinatra the playback was as warm as the tube gear the cording was made on. Played current produced over processed compressed music and it sounded that way. Loved the K-01 one of the better CD players I owned. I downsized after selling it to a Marantz SA-10 which sounds very good also but does not have the grunt of the K-01, and that is due to the K-01's huge power supply. Marantz is elegant, and does not push you with detail but lets the music flow once you get the settings right and allow burn-in of about a month or more.

 

[carolus]

Outside topic K-03 (sorry):

I follow Phillyb .....
I listen via Esoteric K-01, standard (factory) power cable, output via RCA & silver spiral cable (Qunex) to X-over 5-way (horn) ...
It's music in heaven....
Allez, salukes.
Karel (happy owner K-01)

 

[hongkongfoufou]

Funny, I owned the Esoteric K-01 and I found it very musical. I used no tweaks on my cables or power cords. Which can cause issues with the balance of the signal where highs become forward etc. If I played 1950s Sinatra the playback was as warm as the tube gear the cording was made on. Played current produced over processed compressed music and it sounded that way. Loved the K-01 one of the better CD players I owned. I downsized after selling it to a Marantz SA-10 which sounds very good also but does not have the grunt of the K-01, and that is due to the K-01's huge power supply. Marantz is elegant, and does not push you with detail but lets the music flow once you get the settings right and allow burn-in of about a month or more.

Thanks.
Very funny.
I have a Marantz SA7S1.
I sold it.
I buy an Esoteric K-03Xs.
Powercord is the Hijiri Nagomi.
Have a great day

 

[mtemur]

I find Esoteric players edgy, analytical and impossible to listen. I think it’s better to have a CD only unit. IMHO Audio Research CD9 sounds great as well as Ayon transport/DAC combo. I believe it’s hard to beat a NOS’ed marantz or philips player with TDA1541 and CDM1,2,4.

 

[Gregadd]

Just in case you have not tried this. I find digital to needs clean AC power. Preferably on a separate line.

 

[Gregadd]

Assuming your player has a digital out you may consider an outboard dac like the Lampizator Amber 4. Nothing harsh there.