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Esoteric K-01X or K-03X??

I just sold my 6 years old Esoteric X-03SE CD player and 2 years old G-03X Master Clock today. So it’s time for me to decide which is my next CDP: Esoteric K-01X or K-03X?

 I have a friend who bought a K-01X four months ago, he listen to it about 2 months but not happy with the sound (He said not musical and lack of emotion…), then he put it into the box and continue enjoy his Vinyl. Because of our close relationship and this guy is rich, I can get his K-01X around USD 9400 only. If I buy a brand new K-03X, I pay around USD 7500. I know this is a very good deal, and I know many of you will say just go to get this K-01X. Yes, I saw hundred of posts about the good thing of K-01X, but I never have chance to compare it side by side with K-03X. Does K-01X really sound much better than K-03X? 

I’m thinking if we can use quantization to measure these CDP, if you give K-01X 100 scores, then score you give K-03X? 95? 90? 85? ....

So what about compare to K-03X and the my old X-03SE? If you give K-03X 100 scores, then what score you give X-03SE?

I’m thinking maybe I can save some money to buy other things like a 4K color new TV if I choose K-=03X. BTW, I’m not interested in CAS, so DSD has no meaning to me. I just use my CDP to pay my normal Red Book audio CD and SACD. Thanks a lot and have a nice weekend!




Enter your text ...
mmbl622

Showing 3 responses by 68pete

68pete
1,019 posts
 
I have the KO3x and like it a lot. I have heard the KO1x it is the better player of the two. I just could not swing the price of the KO1x.  If you give the KO1x a score of 100 then i feel the KO3x would be 93-94 score. Both players have multi settings(filters) and up sample rates which effect the sound. Each filter and sample rate have a very long break in time. If your friend did not break in the filter and sample rate or kept changing the filter or sample rate a round before it settled in it would sound dry or with out emotion. Of course the other components a  long with cabling and interconnects effect the sound as well. If you can get the KO1x for$9400.00 and it only has a few months on it i would buy it. Your KO3x new at $7500.00 is a good price too, i payed more for mine new. I would ask your friend to let you demo the KO1x for a while and see how it sound in your system. Just remember break in is long.
enjoy Pete
68pete
1,019 posts
 
Hi mmb1622
The up sampling rates and filters do apply to cd play back as well as sacd play back. You want to make sure its a KO1x and not a KO1 they are different. Same with a KO3x and a KO3. the "X" is a upgrade in chip and build. I am pretty sure the older KO1 can get a "X" up grade, but it is not the same as a original factory KO1x same with the older KO3. Best to check with Esoteric.
Enjoy Pete

68pete
1,019 posts
 
Hi  mmb1622
If your Esoteric K-o3x is brand new from a dealer, if you register with Esoteric they give you 2 more years of warranty for a total of 3 years. Its a very nice unit, just remember that break in is long.
enjoy Pete 


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