Syntax....I know, I faced the same confusion when the mention of the upgrade first came out followed shortly after by the announcement of the X-generation units (K03X, K01X, C02"X") in Japan. When I queried Esoteric/Onkyo and they did some digging they came back and apologized for the lack of clarity and then set the record straight.... |
Hello Syntax - I do believe that it has to do with the DSD upgrade. |
Well, when I read that and compare it with the info they launched first, it is just another manufacturer which ruins resale prices from former customers because they are not able to do something right. Just another "...ahem, we don't know what to do but we will be first..." Company?
Probably Accuphase is the way to go .. |
Correct...Esoteric/Onkyo told me the same thing; the X upgrade for the K03 and K01 allows for only the new board and DSD playback in native format. Buying a new K03X or K01X gets you many other improvements beyond the upgraded board. From the Esoteric Japan website;
"Four years after the release of the K-01the worlds leading all-in-one digital playerthe new K-01X debuts as a more compact version of Esoterics flagship Grandioso model. Utilizing the same type of highly rigid chassis construction as the Grandioso and a similar four-transformer power supply, it integrates the Grandioso P1s high-precision VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-20S turntable with two independent monaural DAC units derived from the Grandioso D1 design, each configured with a parallel array of 8 individual converters, which are summed to optimize linearity and minimize noise.
Electronic circuitry has also been further improved with the latest technologies, including a new AK4495S DAC IC, an advanced 35-bit D/A processing algorithm, an HCLD buffer amp, a DSD-compatible USB interface, and a large, low phase noise clock, all ensuring the K-01X achieves the absolute pinnacle of sound quality."
Much more detail on the US Website;
http://www.esoteric-usa.com/Products/audio-players/X-series.php |
Just to be clear, 68Pete did a nice job of summarizing (above) the improvements specific to buying a new K-03X vs K-03.
For those looking to upgrade their existing K-03 to "X" it only includes the new USB interface to allow for playback of DSD in native format. The upgrade in the US costs $1,500 which includes shipping back to owner after upgrade is complete.
If you go to the Esoteric USA website there is ample information for both the K-03 upgrade and K-03X. The upgrades are being completed at a facility in CA.
Here is the link for upgrade path:http://www.esoteric-usa.com/USB-upgrade.php |
......some have said that the K-03x with the newer Dac's is almost and not by much- just as good sonically as the discontinued K-01 |
I believe there is a difference between X models purchased new and upgrades of existing units to X status. The upgrades don't get the new DAC, etc. |
Do you know what internal changes they made? When I asked Esoteric about the X-Version I got the info I wrote above. That was also on their website announcing the X-Version. |
Fellow member ; Syntax noted ; ''The X-Version is an upgrade Board to enable DSD Streams. That's it. No better output stage, no higher data processor, nada, only DSD Streams.''
I just found out today as other members have noted ..that there were some significant internal changes made in the '' X '' version. |
the KO3x has a new DAC ak4495s (same as Grandioso)
4 dac 34 bit internal processing KO3 32 bit
dsd usb dac function support up to 5.6mhz dsd file play back
external clock sync in usb dac operation (1)
New custom clock device same as Grandiso
dsd (dop) to be supported on spdif imput
vs-dd to be add on ko3x
Much better all around than the Ko3 |
the KO3x is a 35 bit the ko3 is not |
HELLO Syntax - thank you for the update and there is little inforamtion out there on that X upgrade. With that inforamtion, I would have been able to discern what is in fact ; '' different '' and what is actully
'' better ''. |
....that's what I am hearing is that the ''X'' version is a significant improvement over the original model. That also includes the K-7x Isn't is interesting that most digital Fans aren't still able after 25 years of marketing to get the difference between "different" and "better"? The X-Version is an upgrade Board to enable DSD Streams. That's it. No better output stage, no higher data processor, nada, only DSD Streams. It is a 1000$ upgrade excl. shipping and can be done for every K-01, K-03... |
....that's what I am hearing is that the ''X'' version is a significant improvement over the original model. That also includes the K-7x |
the KO3x is a very nice machine you will not be disappointed. the KO3x is the newer model and very different form the KO3. New chip set better dac. |
