Best Preamp for me

Hi Pete, Seeing you don't need a phono section, The K-03 has a fantasic low output impedance (47ohm rca & 100ohm xlr) at 2.45v, that will drive anything perfectly without any added colourations that a preamp will introduce, you should give it a try first before spending up big on a preamp to see if you like the uncoloured sound it will give.

" Esoteric’s K-03 SACD/CD player and DAC ($13,000 USD), is one of their newest models of this type. In fact, it also contains a 32-bit internal volume attenuator that permits it to be connected directly to an amplifier."

Cheers George

Georgelofi
Is the Esoteric K-O3 and the K-O3X the same?

They look the same, specs look the same, weight is the same, the K-03X is only mentioned in Japan, some times they do this, it maybe a new tweaked version, of the K-03.

Cheers George

I would start by putting my Lemonson amp up for sale & buying a pair of Electrocompaniet AW400 mono blocks & an EC4.8 preamp. B&W speakers seem to like EC gear.