Esoteric K-05XD

P

Panelguy

New member
Joined
Oct 13, 2021
Messages
52
Location
Sweden
Any experience with the new K-05XD?
How does it compare to other similarly priced cd-players?
 
We have one in the store and it’s really fantastic at the right price. Comes quite close to the K-03XD in performance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike, I wonder if it actually exceeds the K-03XD since it's a newer release with potential "lessons learned" and improvements implemented from upper level models (just some feedback I have heard)? I still don't get the Esoteric pricing model to have two units about $3,000 dollars apart and then jump to the K-01XD at $24,000.
 
jet787 said:
Mike, I wonder if it actually exceeds the K-03XD since it's a newer release with potential "lessons learned" and improvements implemented from upper level models (just some feedback I have heard)? I still don't get the Esoteric pricing model to have two units about $3,000 dollars apart and then jump to the K-01XD at $24,000.
Click to expand...

Wishful thinking, but no. It surely doesn’t. The K-03XD is superior.

Their pricing I think is brilliant. Budgets are pretty much in that $10k, $15k, $20k range and above and although those aren’t the exact numbers, they are close enough. I would say, they really know the market and buyers well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike would be the best to weigh in on your question since he carries both brands.
 
Mike said:
We have one in the store and it’s really fantastic at the right price. Comes quite close to the K-03XD in performance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Mike, could you please tell me If the bass is on the lean side of neutral or has this changed with the new XD-models? The older Esoteric cdp’s could often be described as thin/lean and analytical sounding, What about the K-05XD? 🤔🙏
 
Had a friend bring over his K-05XD today with his G-05 clock and took a good listen. Certainly not thin or lean at all. I thought the tonal qualities of the unit were absolutely beautiful. Very rich and may I dare say with a nice bit or warmth. Had very good detail as well. Where it wasn’t as good was soundstage size … It seemed rather small in all directions compared to my older D-02X dac which to be fair was at a much higher price range. I’ve heard a K-01XD also and its soundstage was quite a bit larger in all directions than the K-05XD to my ears but that comes at a price to be sure. For the money it’s an awesome sounding CD Player and I would recommend highly at that price point if you are still spinning those little silver disc’s like I do. Best bet is to get it in your system and listen as system synergy is always important but a contender to be sure.

George
 
gadawg said:
Had a friend bring over his K-05XD today with his G-05 clock and took a good listen. Certainly not thin or lean at all. I thought the tonal qualities of the unit were absolutely beautiful. Very rich and may I dare say with a nice bit or warmth. Had very good detail as well. Where it wasn’t as good was soundstage size … It seemed rather small in all directions compared to my older D-02X dac which to be fair was at a much higher price range. I’ve heard a K-01XD also and its soundstage was quite a bit larger in all directions than the K-05XD to my ears but that comes at a price to be sure. For the money it’s an awesome sounding CD Player and I would recommend highly at that price point if you are still spinning those little silver disc’s like I do. Best bet is to get it in your system and listen as system synergy is always important but a contender to be sure.

George
Click to expand...

Many Thanks George 🙏
Great to hear that it is not thin and analytical sounding like some older cdp’s from Eso sometimes can be described.
I’m sure the more expensive models are slightly better but I don’t think I’m willing to spend more than the price for the K-05XD and it is also available in black. A great match with my Diablo 300 👌…..and with my Maggie 3.7’s I hope the soundstage will be large enough 😊
 
I note that the Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player feature announced with much fanfare in the new K1X SE, D1X SE, P1X SE, and N-10XD SE offerings made its first rather understated appearance in the K-05XD.
 
That's actually a very good point.
I guess the next ones to come are the rest of the K series; K01XD and K03XD
 
The pricing mentioned there is interesting:
"Those after the last word in stereo disc replay should start here Tested at £11,650 / $12,000 / AU$15,000"
Let's convert to USD.
UK price for K-05XD = US$14,500 (includes 20% VAT)
Australia price = US$9,700 (includes 10% GST)
US price = US$12,000 (+ applicable sales tax).
 
Hi guys,

I have the pre N-05XD and a Teac Cd Transport… any obvious gain if i was using this K-05XD or could be the case of only a side step?

Thanks :)
 
Since they are the same DAC, perhaps you may look into upgrading the CD transport or/and clock. Also note that you can power down the network board in N-05XD when you're using a non-network digital input.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top