Esoteric K-05X or Bryston BDA-3/BDP-3
 

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Here is my experience: I went from the K-03 to the BDA-3 (with Oppo as transport) and I don't feel like I missed anything in terms of sound quality.

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I have been using BDP-2 / BDA-3 along with MAC6700. Ease of use of player with many options for content storage, USB attached drives, optional internal drive, or NAS. I have latest player with IAD and sound coupled with BDA-3 is superb. I did have opportunity to compare K05x and would say Bryston held it's own IMHO. BDA-3 is a wonderful DAC - you will not be disappointed. Also Roon Ready and Tidal ( I am using both ) Good luck with your decision.

Nice to see Bryston standing up to Esoteric. I have the BDA-3 and the K-03X in my rig and I give the edge in detail to Esoteric, but it's not by much!

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I think so. The BDA-3 HDMI inputs allow the play of SACDs and Blu-ray discs in their native encoding. That's why I use the Oppo - it allows for the signal to be transmitted to the DAC in its original format.

Bryston is excellent with both Redbook and Hi Res. [emoji106]

I was using the BDP-2 with IAD into my K-03x via Usb. Was not happy with the sound.

I then built a dedicated music server running Hqplayer, into the K-03x via Usb, and it sounded much better.

Haven't had the opportunity to test the BDA-3.

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