Esoteric P-03/D-03 or Esoteric K-03

newer singles might sound more natural and musical...you might want to try a used K01, seen a few selling for around $14k.

- K01 transport is a refined and evolved from P03's transport design
- K01 internal DAC uses 32bit DA devices, compared to 24bit in D03
- K01 internal DAC is more versatile because it can also used for converting your PC music files or you can connect high end internet radio device such as Magnum Dynalab through coaxial input cables. D03 can't do this.
- Most importantly, i think K01 internal DAC will sound better, not just because it has 32bit DA devices, but it directly plays SACD native DSD, instead of D03's converting PCM to DSD.

my 2 cents...

Jimmy

Yeah, the K-1s are currently going used for about the same price as the P-03/D-03 combo used. But all of the ones I've seen on sale are out of my voltage. I'd prefer a 220-240 volt machine if I were to go that direction. The K-03 new where I live is cheaper by about 3-4 thousand than the combo unit used. Thus, my asking of the question. I won't be able to audition the used combo unfortunately, but later I might have a chance to hear the K-03 before purchasing. My sense is that given the recent changes to the Esoteric gear and the trickling down of technology to the single box machines, they might be a better choice overall then the combo, which surprisingly enough might well be overpriced used given these changes. However, that's speculation on my part and it would be good to hear from someone who's actually heard the gear and can compare reasonably well. Your comments are helpful, Jimmy, so thank you for that.

Jimmy, what is your experience with the Dynalab internet radio played through the Esoteric K01 DAC? I am looking for the right way to listen to internet radio through my rig. I would also like to listen without switching on the K01 at times.

OK. Some helpful discussion here on this topic: http://www.head-fi.org/t/533409/new-esoteric-players-k-01-k-03-anyone-has-seen-or-heard/15

One note on something written above, P-03 and D-03 do maintain full DSD for SACD all the way from transport through DAC decoding and playback. There is an option to convert DSD->PCM and PCM->DSD however you need not choose this. The DAC chips in the D-03 are 'dual-mode' in that they can accept DSD or PCM signal inputs; they are unique from what I see in the industry in that regard.

As far as the P-03 and D-03 sounding clinical, lean and bright, I've found that this is often a function of the cabling, power cords and other equipment that are involved in the system. With my current setup, the P-03 and D-03 do not ever sound clinical, lean or bright. Choice of decoding, upsampling/clocking, etc...also figures in.

This may start a healthy debate however from some units I've heard, 32-bit DAC chips are not always better just because they are 32-bit. I've heard units that use them that don't sound as good as what comes out of the D-03 and a very few that equal or better it in some ways. I'd say forget the technical stats (32 versus 24, etc..) and let your ears be the judge!