Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Esoteric K-03XS

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Esoteric K-03XS

    Hello,
    I have an Esoteric K-03XS, it works very good...
    I don't believe what I listen...
    Warm and analytic !!! How they do that ?
    Marantz SA7S1/GRIMM AUDIO CC1/MARK LEVINSON 360S+TECHNICS SL1210 MKII/ORTOFON X1-MC/VPI CLASSIC 3 in rosewood/Audio-Technica ART-9/ESOTERIC E03+TAG MC LAREN T32R+JEFF ROWLAND CORUS+JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 625+Magnepan 3.7i+Cables line: all Furutech lineflux+power cord DIY

  2. #2

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Quote Originally Posted by hongkong View Post
    Hello,
    I have an Esoteric K-03XS, it works very good...
    I don't believe what I listen...
    Warm and analytic !!! How they do that ?
    The sum of all parts. One mans warmth is another mans distortion.

    One mans analytic is another mans term for detail and resolution.

    Enjoy keep us posted. I’m also interested in the new XS players.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Very superior to my old Marantz SA7S1

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    I listen K03XS with GRIMM CC1

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,748

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    I didn't think much of K-03X. K-03Xs is much better?

  6. #6

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    The XS players share the same AKM chip as the Grandioso K1. This might contribute to some of the improvements over 03X.

    Other than the DAC chip; I'm not sure what other improvements over the XS have over the X players.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    I have listen the K03X in my home.
    I have the Marantz SA7S1.
    The K03X is above the SA7S1, but, please, notes I have done the listenning with the GRIMM CC1.
    Now I must burn the K03XS.
    The problem is that I have the two players ( K03X and K03XS) in the same time...So it's difficult for me to do compare them...
    But it seem's that K03XS has more detailed, accuracy and warmer than the K03X.
    I can say that K03X has more high treble and more bass, but the english is not my language...So it's difficult for me to describe what I heard...

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,748

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Quote Originally Posted by hongkong View Post
    I have listen the K03X in my home.
    ...But it seem's that K03XS has more detailed, accuracy and warmer than the K03X.
    "Detail" and "accuracy" can go together. "Warmer" I would think not. Warmer tends to imply a coloration of the original sound, meaning you are adding something that is not originally there. Which is the opposite of accuracy.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    This is why I say : How they to that ? I love this player !

  10. #10

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Hello

    Anyone tried to use his esoteric gear as a "digital transport with reclocking " ?
    Basically using at the same time the usb input, the AES output and the clocking to an external clock .
    I have a Mutec Mc3 and would like to "compare" with Esoteric in that particular usage ( given the much nicer build and power capacity should be at least as good...)
    Obviously this won't be the main usage as I am also looking for a SACD/ CD player !

    Thks
    Alex

    Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Hello

    I use K03XS with Grimm CC1 : it is a clock and a very sexy clock because we can reclock the signal via AES.
    I have connected a Mark Levinson N360S with the K03XS and the Grimm CC1.
    The sound is another sound like that.
    K03XS with Grimm CC1 is more lively than the ML 360S with Grimm CC1. With Grimm CC1 and ML 360S, the sound is smoother, but perhaps a little bit more fine...
    That's what I think. It's only what I find with this combination.
    Hope it's help you.

    Envoyé de mon HTC 10 en utilisant Tapatalk
    Marantz SA7S1/GRIMM AUDIO CC1/MARK LEVINSON 360S+TECHNICS SL1210 MKII/ORTOFON X1-MC/VPI CLASSIC 3 in rosewood/Audio-Technica ART-9/ESOTERIC E03+TAG MC LAREN T32R+JEFF ROWLAND CORUS+JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 625+Magnepan 3.7i+Cables line: all Furutech lineflux+power cord DIY

  12. #12

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Quote Originally Posted by hongkong View Post
    Hello

    I use K03XS with Grimm CC1 : it is a clock and a very sexy clock because we can reclock the signal via AES.
    I have connected a Mark Levinson N360S with the K03XS and the Grimm CC1.
    The sound is another sound like that.
    K03XS with Grimm CC1 is more lively than the ML 360S with Grimm CC1. With Grimm CC1 and ML 360S, the sound is smoother, but perhaps a little bit more fine...
    That's what I think. It's only what I find with this combination.
    Hope it's help you.

    Envoyé de mon HTC 10 en utilisant Tapatalk
    Thanks . didn't know about Grimm products but anyway have already my clocks.

    Alex

    Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    808

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Quote Originally Posted by hongkong View Post
    I have listen the K03X in my home.
    I have the Marantz SA7S1.
    The K03X is above the SA7S1, but, please, notes I have done the listenning with the GRIMM CC1.
    Now I must burn the K03XS.
    The problem is that I have the two players ( K03X and K03XS) in the same time...So it's difficult for me to do compare them...
    But it seem's that K03XS has more detailed, accuracy and warmer than the K03X.
    I can say that K03X has more high treble and more bass, but the english is not my language...So it's difficult for me to describe what I heard...
    hongkong, thank you for your comments. As a K-03X owner, I find these interesting, especially with the dearth of meaningful comments from other Xs model owners.

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    There is few comments because it's expensive and it's just to arrive on the market.

    Envoyé de mon HTC 10 en utilisant Tapatalk
    Marantz SA7S1/GRIMM AUDIO CC1/MARK LEVINSON 360S+TECHNICS SL1210 MKII/ORTOFON X1-MC/VPI CLASSIC 3 in rosewood/Audio-Technica ART-9/ESOTERIC E03+TAG MC LAREN T32R+JEFF ROWLAND CORUS+JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 625+Magnepan 3.7i+Cables line: all Furutech lineflux+power cord DIY

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Marantz SA7S1/GRIMM AUDIO CC1/MARK LEVINSON 360S+TECHNICS SL1210 MKII/ORTOFON X1-MC/VPI CLASSIC 3 in rosewood/Audio-Technica ART-9/ESOTERIC E03+TAG MC LAREN T32R+JEFF ROWLAND CORUS+JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 625+Magnepan 3.7i+Cables line: all Furutech lineflux+power cord DIY

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    FRANCE
    Posts
    353

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Marantz SA7S1/GRIMM AUDIO CC1/MARK LEVINSON 360S+TECHNICS SL1210 MKII/ORTOFON X1-MC/VPI CLASSIC 3 in rosewood/Audio-Technica ART-9/ESOTERIC E03+TAG MC LAREN T32R+JEFF ROWLAND CORUS+JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 625+Magnepan 3.7i+Cables line: all Furutech lineflux+power cord DIY

  17. #17

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    I have test K-01Xs and K1 recently, K1 sounds better than K-01Xs, the difference can be observed very easy. I just wonder both CDP use same DAC clip and transport system, but why the sound has quite a big difference…

  18. #18
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,748

    Re: Esoteric K-03XS

    There are more factors that affect sound quality than just the DAC chip and transport mechanism. K1 has higher specification op-amps to start with.

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

Esoteric K-03XS

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •