Esoteric K-03 / K-01 Leave Power On ?

Leaving a component always on...will ultimately lead to capacitors drying out. Since this fact is always overlooked by manufacturer’s who recommend a component to be always on ( or sitting idle, but connected to power), I thought it would be helpful to bring it to our attention. I know this, having replaced caps in several components that one has no choice to either leave on ( or in sleep mode)...or unplug from the wall. While we may be talking of several years without this issue, the issue will occur...it’s just a matter of time!

Digital should never be turned on it takes one to two days for the digital to sound as good as it normally would.

The act of turning on and off components is much more damaging, and the K01/KO3 will use such a small amount of power you wound't notice any savings. 

Just leave it fully powered on and be happy you are getting the best sound from it.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Turn it on the morning you plan to listen to your system that evening. It sounds better after 5-6 hours on, much more organic, even 8 hours on. The key to the sound of the Esoteric is the long burn-in time and power cord. Filters Org and FIR 1.  

I have a Cary 306 SACD I’m using as a DAC. It has multiple power supplies internally and gets quite warm. In the summertime, I will turn it on a couple of hours before listening, and off when I turn in.
On Friday morning thru Sunday I usually have it on the whole time since I use it often when home. I tend to keep it powered up all winter, less heat and I’m inside more.As an EE in the computer field, It’s usually the current inrush that is most harmful to electronic components.  We recommended they stay powered up constantly for this reason. 

I have an Esoteric UX-3 and I turn it on a half hour before I listen.  No need to leave it on all the time.

Since there is no on/off switch on the back I think the button on the front turns on and off all the circuitry.  They also don't have a spec for power consumption at idle.  The spec they do give is for power consumption of 27 watts for the K-03.   I don't think that amount of power consumption  would cause excessive heat or other problems even if that is the consumption at idle.  

I've never heard anyone say that their SACD player sounds better if they turn it off when not in use.  So I think if the blue light or the knowledge that your player is always on causes you concern, turn it off.  If that doesn't bother you and you think it sounds better after it's been on a while, leave it on.

To each their own I guess. I have an Esoteric UX-3SE and I turn it off after I am done with it.. About an hour before I listen I turn it on. It does not draw a lot of power if you leave it on so again, it is all up to you.