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Esoteric K-03/Plinius CD-101

Hello fellow audioholics
I am seeking some advice on Esoteric CD players.
I have Dynaudio C4’s with Plinius SA-103, Tautoro and CD-101 with Kimber Hero I/C’s but although I am generally happy with the CD101’s sound I’m considering replacing it for various other reasons.
I’m interested in trying an Esoteric player, potentially the K-03 and was wondering how much of an improvement this player would be compared to the CD-101 with Redbook CD’s as unfortunately I have no way of auditioning.
Can those who have heard both players please comment on what they feel i would gain.

Thanks very much
audio_madness

Showing 9 responses by agear

agear
1,362 posts
 
Lol.....
agear
1,362 posts
 
Jkuc, I myself have played the weasel on the gon, but I have outgrown it....I think...
agear
1,362 posts
 
Jkuc, you insolent little weasel! Lol. Merry Christmas to you as well.

Audio feel, nice reference. That surprised me (coming from you....)

Rampage60, I agree.....
agear
1,362 posts
 
Actually the article in Stereophile describes measurement software that the two companies have developed which is a neutral tool. Their findings just provided a partial explanation as to why cables effect sound. That being said, the cost of cabling can be absurd. No argument there....
agear
1,362 posts
 
Budt, you are correct. There is a lot of witchcraft at work, but it's not relegated to cables.

Audiofeil, touché. You are an industry guy. Any comments on Budt's statement?
agear
1,362 posts
 
That was not really the question, but I understand not wanting to answer
agear
1,362 posts
 
Audio_madness, why exactly are you considering a source change? I know the K-03 can process streamed material from a PC, and thus has an added flexibility. If your desire to change is driven by utilitarian elements, great. If this move is motivated by subtle shortcomings of the CD-101, then fiddling with cabling is a logical thing to do (philosophical rants aside).

Jkuc, your typo above made me laugh...
agear
1,362 posts
 
On the flip side, Audiofeil is absolutely correct regarding the influence of hardware. Two years ago, I briefly dabbled with the Emerald Physics speaker, and that system was not terribly cable sensitive. I know Roger Sanders and his stats do not respond to hi priced exotica. My current rig is uber sensitive. Bringing a cheap red into the room has consequences.....
agear
1,362 posts
 
Once you dial in a system and become familiar with its sonic personality, and assuming good overall resolution, cable differences are blatant. I have a done quite a bit of blinded listening tests with my wife and others to know its not simply self-deception. And while you don't necessarily get what you pay for, the "wire is just wire" philosophy is just a residue of a 1950s engineering textbook. Nordost and Vertex demonstrated time domain or jitter reduction with cable changes (http://www.stereophile.com/rmaf2010/nordost_and_vertex_measurements/index.html)
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