Esoteric K-01 vs K-03

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Haydn

Very interesting. Charles Hansen in another forum awhile back recommended the Brown Noise track for breaking in equipment. I think it is Track 4.

Hi Haydn,

I'll have to check out the brown noise track too. I've run the white noise track for a number of hours and I've heard some improvement. There are no negative effects. I've now ripped the white noise track to the computer and I'm currently running it through the DAC on 44.1 kHZ sampling rate.

Here is some information on the different tracks on the Ayre/Cardas disc that may interest you:

This disc is designed to enhance the listening enjoyment of your audio system. Consisting of 7 tracks, the main tool is the final track; a five minute glide tone, that when played through your system at a moderate listening volume, will improve your system's sound. The theory, as we understand it, is that this sweep will demagnetize residual fields that build up in your components over time, similar to the sweep function on the Cardas Sweep LP.

We recommend playing the last track (or even the whole disc) on a periodic basis, at least once a week for best effect. The full glide-tone track is conveniently placed at the end of the disc, so that it can be easily played even if the system is unattended. The other tracks have more specialized functions:

Track 1 is a 45 second version of the glide track, for a quick performance boost.

Track 2 is White Noise, random full spectrum noise, used to speed burn-in of a component and to determine proper phase.

Track 3 is Pink Noise, random noise with equal emphasis on each band of the audio spectrum, great for making sure your checking midrange phase and also for burning in drivers.

Track 4 is Brown Noise, random noise with an emphasis on the midrange and lower octaves, for burning in midrange and bass drivers or checking bass integration / rattles in your room.

Track 5 is Mono Brown Noise, this time summed to mono. This is a very useful track when you're trying to integrate a high quality subwoofer into your audio system, simply flip the phase on your sub and find the position where your sub makes the least bass, flip the phase back and you're set!

Track 6 is Out of Phase Brown Noise, both channels are out of phase with each other. Similar to the two previous tracks, the Brown Noise on this track allows for quick acoustic cancellation. E.g. burning in your speakers at higher volumes without thundering your house to the ground.

Track 7 is the full glide track, a 285 second sweep of all frequencies from 5Hz to 20kHz.

The tracks on this disc were created digitally with 88.2 kHz, 32-bit resolution. Enhanced resolution transfer to the 44.1 kHz, 16-bit CD format was performed using 0.5 bits of dither with a triangular probability distribution function for maximum fidelity.

Best,
Ken

[djwhog]

On a side note guys to you think as a maintenance issue it is work it or a good idea needed etc to run maybe for a stretch the break in CD that comes with this gear? It seems it runs at some levels and performs some task that would maybe help maintain the perfection in these units?

Not the same but similar I am thinking to when you used to degauss a tube monitor for a PC

[Ricardo Nonato]

Hi Srs.,

Would anyone tell me what model fuse K-03?


Nice regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

[mbump]

Thank you for this informative a/b, Ted. It appears I'm late to this party, and otherwise resurrecting the thread. Fast-forward to 1/2018...as a professional musician, I've enjoyed the K-03 in our home 2-channel system for 4 yrs now, replacing a x-03se of several yrs prior. Now we have an opportunity to acquire a preowned K-01 and struggling with pulling the trigger. Current pre-owned values have brought the K-03 & K-01 fairly close, so the investment difference is somewhat minimal (estim. 3k). Would it be fair to say your a/b experience of a few yrs ago suggests its well worth the trade up?