Esoteric K-07X/K-05X/K-03X Help
 

Please help with some performance/reliability/longevity experience/perspective on these machines, given the substantial price differentials (K-01X beyond my pay grade). I see a lot of information posted on the K-01X/K-03X but little on the 5X/7X and almost no user experience, etc, on the comparative merits of these. Plan to use as the primary source component (CD/SACD player and DAC) in a new system. Regarding the K-03X's lack of DSD 256 support, not a big deal. Any help much appreciated.

I bought a SACD transport and it sounds no different to playing from my music server to the DAC. So I don't use the SACD transport any more. Playing from the music server wins hands down on convenience, and it doesn't lose anything in sound quality. So, my point is, you really need to contemplate whether you need a SACD player at all. Especially at the price point you're aiming at.

I've owned the K07 & K05 both have been wonderful machines. They are essentially the same machine except the 05 has a better transport and fancier remote (from K03). The newer X series have higher sampling rates, better dacs, and power supply improvements.

I am not convinced current music servers/streamers sound better. I don't relish the thought of dealing with the internet and computer based audio. I own my CD's, punch play and never have issues with NAS drives or loss of data base. I'm fully aware of server advantages and convenience but have not been convinced to abandon my beloved K05.

I am with you....friends with advanced streaming setups including Tidal Hirez, Roon setups and even MQA have stopped by and plugged into my setup. NOTHING has sounded better than playback from physical media here. I remain totally unimpressed by the "state of the art" in computer based and network streamed audio.

What help do you need?

It's a nice feeling when you turn it on load and play.
No finding server, syncing, linking,etc.
CD, Vinyl, tape,Radio work without the B's.

tdelahanty, aside from a more robust transport, what motivated you to upgrade from your K07 to the K05? Is the SQ noticeably better?

I've heard a K03X playing mostly CDs in a high end system and have been impressed. Mirroring some prior thread comments, we played one of my CDs on the K03X and then streamed the same CD via Tidal through the K03X's DAC. The physical CD sounded significantly better.

My primary interest here: How much SQ do you believe I'd give up (your experience/view) by acquiring a K05X or a K07X instead of a K03X for mostly RB CDs? Secondary: Using just the DAC for streaming?

+1!

I personally can't hear a difference between spinning discs and Tidal over Audirvana.

There was an improvement in sound quality and I wanted a black unit to match my Levinson gear. I have not heard the K03X but suspect the sound quality difference would be greater than the K07 to K05. The dac circuit is much more significant, higher quality and more dacs, and a much better power supply.

I have Kaleidescape so those internet and computer based audio issues are not relevant to me. I can't tell the difference between streaming from Kaleidescape to my N01 compared with PS Audio Direcstream Memory Player to the DAC. But Kaleidescape wins hands down in the end user experience compared with disc spinning. Which has drawn me to doubt the requirement for a disc spinner at all.