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New Esoteric players (K-01, K-03): anyone has seen or heard? - Page 8

post #106 of 148
11/6/11 at 3:43pm

Regarding my thoughts about the K-01, Sorry I guess I've been going OTT about it, in future I think it'd be better for me to keep them to myself.


Edited by David1961 - 11/9/11 at 1:11am
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post #107 of 148
12/11/11 at 10:35am

Does anyone know how the K01 and K03 may compare with the MSB DAC IV Signature and Diamond?

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post #108 of 148
12/19/11 at 6:14pm

I have owned the Esoteric K01 for over a year. It is the best sounding cd/sacd player I have ever heard.

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post #109 of 148
12/20/11 at 1:16am

Hey guys,

 

just wondering if the transport noise from the K01 is less than the K03 ?

 

I had an audition of the K03 and the transport noise was terrible. We could hear it across the room on classical tracks where theres many pauses in the music.

 

Does the K01 improve on that point ?

 

Cheers

Xavier

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post #110 of 148
12/20/11 at 1:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by badwisdom View Post

Hey guys,

 

just wondering if the transport noise from the K01 is less than the K03 ?

 

I had an audition of the K03 and the transport noise was terrible. We could hear it across the room on classical tracks where theres many pauses in the music.

 

Does the K01 improve on that point ?

 

Cheers

Xavier



Not sure what you mean by transport noise.

 

 

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post #111 of 148
12/20/11 at 2:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by David1961 View Post



Not sure what you mean by transport noise.

 

 



You can hear the rotor spinning, especially at the beginning of the 1st tracks of a CD, its quite loud.

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post #112 of 148
12/20/11 at 2:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by badwisdom View Post





You can hear the rotor spinning, especially at the beginning of the 1st tracks of a CD, its quite loud.


I've just tried what you've mentioned with the K-01 and I did hear a slight humming kind of noise when the disc started spinning, but in order to hear that I had to put ear about two or three inches away from it, also when traffic was going past and I had my ear in the same position l couldn't hear a thing. But how many are going to be putting their ear so close just to hear this very very faint humming sound.

 

 

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post #113 of 148
12/20/11 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by matjet View Post

I have owned the Esoteric K01 for over a year. It is the best sounding cd/sacd player I have ever heard.


This username sounds familiar... Audiogon perhaps ? ^ ^. Welcome to head-fi matjet, so you're interested in headphones now?

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by badwisdom View Post

Hey guys,

 

just wondering if the transport noise from the K01 is less than the K03 ?

 

I had an audition of the K03 and the transport noise was terrible. We could hear it across the room on classical tracks where theres many pauses in the music.

 

Does the K01 improve on that point ?

 

Cheers

Xavier


Sounds to me like either an issue with the K03 transport you sampled or peculiarity with the disc. Was it a ripped CD maybe? Or it has a taped tag on it causing slight imbalance? Or it was particularly dirty? I'd be surprised the K-03 transport be naturally noisy with regular CDs (it's not a $10 DVD drive inside...).

 

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post #114 of 148
12/20/11 at 6:17am

My K01 is dead silent. Music emerges 3 dimensionally from a dead silent black background. The machine build quality is incredible. The transport is superb.

Yes I use Audiogon.

I am interested in headphones, but I did not intentionally choose headphones for my avatar; don't know how I got it.

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post #115 of 148
12/20/11 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by David1961 View Post


I've just tried what you've mentioned with the K-01 and I did hear a slight humming kind of noise when the disc started spinning, but in order to hear that I had to put ear about two or three inches away from it, also when traffic was going past and I had my ear in the same position l couldn't hear a thing. But how many are going to be putting their ear so close just to hear this very very faint humming sound.

 

 



Of course, thats not an issue at all.

 

But on the K-03, you can hear it across the room during low volume tracks. Now thats annoying.

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post #116 of 148
12/20/11 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnaud View Post


This username sounds familiar... Audiogon perhaps ? ^ ^. Welcome to head-fi matjet, so you're interested in headphones now?

 


Sounds to me like either an issue with the K03 transport you sampled or peculiarity with the disc. Was it a ripped CD maybe? Or it has a taped tag on it causing slight imbalance? Or it was particularly dirty? I'd be surprised the K-03 transport be naturally noisy with regular CDs (it's not a $10 DVD drive inside...).

 


You'd be surprised but its unfortunately true. Its the same phenomenon i had with the Playback Designs MPS-5 which surprise, surprise....yep, you guessed it, uses a OEM Esoteric Transport !


Its worse on SACD's than CD's but still a terrible nuisance. A deal breaker for me at least.

 

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post #117 of 148
12/20/11 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by badwisdom View Post





Of course, thats not an issue at all.

 

But on the K-03, you can hear it across the room during low volume tracks. Now thats annoying.



Never heard the K-03 but why not try auditioning the K-01.

 

 

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post #118 of 148
1/14/12 at 8:09pm

The K-05 Super Audio CD/CD Player is now up and running on the Esoteric Japan website. Being that the specs page lists power supplies for 3 regions, it shouldn't be long before the international launch. It remains to be seen though how much fat was cut to bring the K-01's stratospheric price down to a somewhat earthly US$9,900 for the K-05.

 

k05.jpg

VRDS-NEO VMK-5
VRDS-NEO VMK-5 ESOTERIC's proprietary VRDS-NEO transport mechanism VMK-5, incorporated in this new model, improves the accuracy of data acquisition by using a high-precision turntable that corrects disc surface shake during disc rotation. This hybrid turntable is made from high-precision aluminum and polycarbonate material helping to minimize rotational inertia. A hybrid structure, combining high rigidity BMC (Bulk Molding Compound) and steel is used for the turntable bridge which significantly attenuates rotational vibration. The spindle motor improves the accuracy of reading signals through advanced servo control using motor speed feedback loop circuit.
ESOTERIC's proprietary technology, the differential gear system is used for mechanical operations from tray opening and closing to disc clamping. This gear system provides exceptionally smooth disc loading operation (Patent No.2861798 owned by TEAC Corporation.).
Axial sliding pick-up designed to prevent optical axis tilting
Axial sliding pick-up designed to prevent optical axis tilting The same axial sliding pick-up assembly, used in the flagship "K" series model K-01, is incorporated in the heart of the data acquisition section. As the lens moves, the laser optical axis is always positioned in a vertical direction, ensuring a highly accurate reading of the recorded material.

Dual mono D/A converters based on the concept of the K-01 The analog output circuit of the D/A converter has both high end resolution as well as natural and musical texture. Asahi Kasei's top-end 32-bit DAC device "AK4399" is used. This component provides the heart that drives the expressive power of ESOTERIC's "K" series products. A parallel/differential output where two circuits combine per channel provides high linearity and low noise. The converters and analog output circuits, which make up a fully dual mono configuration, are located on the left and right hand sides of the board, completely separated from the digital signal processing circuit. This layout allows for excellent channel separation and high-quality playback with rich localization and sonic depth.

High quality buffer circuits For the final stage of analog audio output (buffer amplifier), New JRC's high end audio operational amplifier MUSES is used. These buffer circuits are laid out symmetrically for each of the hot/cold signal lines to construct a fully balanced configuration. When the RCA audio output is selected, the buffer amplifier is switched to parallel configuration. These enhancements provide the best sound quality for each of the balanced and unbalanced audio signal outputs.

Large capacity toroidal transformer that handles high speed transients with ease
Large capacity toroidal transformer that handles high speed transients with ease Large toroidal transformer features low noise, low distortion, and high current with very high efficiency. The strong power circuits, combined with very large power capacitors, supply stable and clean power to all circuits.

Multiple D/D functions to suit multiple sources In addition to playback at the original sample rate and word length, extensive D/D conversion modes for PCM formats include PCM up conversion to x 2 or x 4 from the original sampling frequency, using the "RDOT" algorithm, as well as PCM > DSD conversion to convert the PCM audio signal to DSD format similar to Super Audio CD. Super Audio CD is directly converted into analog signals and played back.

Digital filter "Off" mode and four types of digital filters The K-05 features Digital Filter Off mode recommended by ESOTERIC, which is characterized by a smooth and subtle sound quality. The model also features four types of digital filters for PCM signal processing. In addition to two types of FIR (Finite Impulse Response) digital filters, two types of short delay digital filters (Referred to as "apodizing" filters) are installed. These filters eliminate the pre-echo in the impulse waveform to reproduce audio signal as a more natural and precise sound.

Three systems of high sampling rate digital inputs
Three systems of high sampling rate digital inputs The K-05 features three systems of digital inputs (USB, coaxial and optical), and these digital inputs support high-sampling-rate sources up to 24 bit / 192kHz.

USB input supports asynchronous transmission up to 24 bit / 192kHz The USB input supports asynchronous transmission up to 24 bit / 192kHz using the ESOTERIC's original driver software for PC or MAC. Additionally, a USB isolator, which prevents noise from entering from external sources such as PC or MAC, allows high quality reproduction of studio master quality sources.

VCXO high-precision clock
VCXO high-precision clock A high-precision VCXO (voltage controlled crystal oscillator) of +/- 3 ppm (*) is used for the internal clock circuit. A dedicated power supply circuit improves the stability of the clock. The high precision audio clock signal, generated by the VCXO, is directly delivered to the dual mono D/A converter. This enables higher quality reproduction, substantially reducing jitter.
* Factory setting
Clock sync function suppors 10 MHz to synchronize with an external device
Clock sync function suppors 10 MHz to synchronize with an external device This function allows upgrading to a higher quality sound system by connecting the unit to a high precision master clock generator when playing back Super Audio CD/CD. A 10 MHz clock is supported in addition to WORD clock (44.1kHz to 176.4kHz). When the unit is in D/A converter mode, asynchronous USB connection supports clock sync function.

Supports "Direct Master Clock LinK" with an external clock generator "Direct Master Clock Link" is our new technology originally developed for the P-02/D-02 combo for more precise, direct clocking. With this technology, the D/A converter simply uses ultra high precision "master clock (22.5792MHz)" supplied from external master clock, without a need to "sync" its operation to the master. This system enables shorter-path clocking by bypassing internal PLL circuit, and delivers more precise, focused imaging.

Excellent usability - 32-bit precision digital attenuator function
- User selectable output level adjustment of the XLR audio output (0 dB/?6 dB)
- XLR pin assignment can be changed to match external devices (Pin 2 Hot or Pin 3 Hot)

 


Edited by Arnaldo - 1/15/12 at 11:01am
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post #119 of 148
2/13/12 at 6:26am
Well, I'm finally resolved to make the jump to SACD and PC Audio and I'll be getting a K-01 soon. I'm buying it from Christopher Hesse on Audiogon for what I feel is quite a fair price on a like-new unit. I'm also planning to have a PC custom built from End PC Noise. I'm a little concerned about making the switch from my Reimyo. Even though I was able to hear the K-01 at a store audition that's not the same as hearing it on my system and comparing it with the Reimyo. One thing I know is that it's certainly more resolving, and I think it's greater dynamics and bass power would pair well with the somewhat bass-light R10s. But I worry if I'm going to miss the oversampling abilities, liquidity, naturalness, and richness of the Reimyo, especially on female vocals. I'm quite nervous about testing, eg, my Best of Jane Monheit album, as it sounds so phenomenal on the Reimyo.

Here's a question for any owners: Can the K-01 play blu-ray audio if I play the physical blu-ray disc in the PC? EG, if I put an opera blu-ray in my PC, would the audio portion carry through the USB to the K-01 and the video portion through HDMI to my TV/monitor? I mean, most blu-rays come with an option for PCM stereo and I would think the K-01 could play PCM.
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post #120 of 148
2/13/12 at 7:14am

Yes I played Chiu Hok Yee's "Trinity" Bluray Audio on my Oppo-95 and output to the Estoeric K-01 as a DAC and it played fine.

 

But the K-01 really shines in playing CD/SACDs. It is hard to believe playing the same thing on 192/24 Bluray Audio via the Oppo and Esoteric K-01 is actually inferior to playing to playing the same tracks on a redbook CD directly on the K-01. The K-01 shows that the CAS world still has a long way to go in order to beat CD/SACD audio, I suspect mostly because of jitter. 

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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Summit-Fi (High-End Audio) › High-end Audio Forum › New Esoteric players (K-01, K-03): anyone has seen or heard?