Esoteric K-03 or Luxman D-03x

I can not commit on the Luxman player. But i do have the KO 3x player and could not be happier. I purchased it right after they came out with the "x" changes.  Was looking at the KO 3 at the time. After doing some research and talking to the sales rep for Esoteric i went with the newer model at that time KO 3x. Big changes between the two No volume control on the newer model, they claimed removing the volume control cleaned up a lot of noise in the unit. They also add a new higher grade chip set. They also add a USB port on the rear so you could plug a computer direct and play music using the DAC in the newer unit. Have never has any problems with the unit. It is left on 24/7 unless i gone over night then it is unplugged from the power. I use it just about everyday for a couple hours each day.
All CD/SACD players will need some type of repair at some time. Laser ware out and so do drawer  mechanism.
I have talked to TAP about upgrading my Esoteric pre amp (CO 3x to the CO 3xs -cap and output board change) I never did follow through with it . But they where easy to talk to and willing to do the upgrade very quickly providing all the parts where in. I live in N. Ca. and TAPs is in S. Ca. about a 7 hour drive from me. If i dropped the unit off in the am they would have it ready to go the next day late afternoon.
I would talk to TAP about the KO 3 unit and see what a check up would cost or laser replacement. I would look for a newer model they do show up here on Audiogone. There is a Esoteric dealer that sells here on Audiogone out of Arizona. They maybe able to help you get into a newer player.
Good Luck

I have D03X and D10X had D08U before.
I think that the best product luxman makes is their CDP.
Zero issues.

trebor32,
In your opinion, after owning the D-05u, how does the D-03X compare? I've heard some say the the D-03x is better than the D-05U and compares favorably to the D-06U. I only play Red Book cd's and really don't miss not having SACD capability now. I don't stream and might consider attempting it in the future, but currently not a deal breaker. Thanks, 
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mountainsong402,
I appreciate your input. I don't think I've heard or read anything negative about Luxman players. You have a very, very nice group of Luxman players so I'm guessing your experience with Luxman would be far better than most others. I suppose there are always going to be players that will be better than others in certain respects, but I'm trying to buy a reliable player that has relatively current technology without paying an arm and a leg. In the perfect world, I guess my first choice would be an Esoteric unit of some level only because I really thought the X-03SE that I had previously owned was a very nice player. It was very well built and sounded good and I am curious as to how the newer mid-level players would be in comparison. I recently had a Marantz SA-10 that I just sold that while a very nice player in its' own right, didn't do anything special in my opinion. So here I am again!
Thanks,
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68pete,
Thanks for your reply. I had an older Esoteric K-03 that I was close to buying but things just didn't work out for a few reasons. I'm sure it would have been an excellent player but I was so afraid of buying an older player because of the difficulty getting it repaired if there had been an issue. I understand TAP does a good job but when you live across country(SC to CA)from the repair facility, it can get expensive just to ship it let alone the cost of repairs if they can be done there.  You obviously have been more than satisfied with your K-03X, which would work for me not having any volume attenuation capacity, because I run my player into a preamp. Maybe I'll keep on the lookout for a "newer" K-(x) player that might have been a demo unit or the like. 
Thanks,
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