#1
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K-03 DAC opinions
I've had my K-03 for a long while now (thanks Ivan!) and have enjoyed it a lot. For many years, I'd spin a combination of CD's and SACDs through it pretty much exclusively as my source.
One of the reasons I bought the K-03 was the ability to use it later as a standalone DAC with multiple input options. As it turned out, that was a good decision as last year I was able to get into an Aurender basic music server, rip my CD library, and get my toes wet with non-physical media. The Aurender I have only has the USB out, but to try things out, it made sense to me. I now only spin SACDs on the K-03, along with new CD's that I haven't had a chance to rip yet. Here I am another year later and I am starting to wonder about the K-03 purely from the DAC standpoint. I am not looking to buy gear just for the sake of getting new stuff, but wondering how much I am leaving on the table in terms of SQ with the K-03. One limitation of my Aurender is the USB out - that's what I'm stuck with. I have a WW USB cable (thanks Ivan!), so I guess I've done what I can on that front. Long winded, but my subjective question is how much improvement would I get now with a different (more recent?) standalone DAC? And secondarily, since a lot of this is synergistic - would I notice a difference in my particular application with the Aurender USB...? Thanks in advance for any thoughts - I thought to post here first to get an opinion on the older K-03 Esoteric DAC specifically before expanding my research in the Digital sub forum. Best regards, Matt Last edited by Matt Lan; 01-27-2019 at 04:28 PM. |
#2
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Matt, DACs have come a good way since the K-03 was introduced. Several key questions:
1. What does the rest of you rig look like (amp, speakers)? 2. Are you interesting in streaming? 3. How much are you willing to spend on something that ticks your boxes? |
#3
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Matt... what grade WW USB cable are you using?
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#4
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Matt - Do you any interest in streaming native DSD?
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack |
#5
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The k03 is a great spinner/dac. The only problem is that it has some technical limitations with the USB input. It can't do DSD, and it can't utilize an external clock.
Other than that, it's good enough that you can rest assured that you aren't missing much. Even if you went to the k01x, which is what I did, the difference isn't night and day. It's a notch better. But adding a clock, which is possible with the x and xs models, will take you up even another notch. There's more flexibility in the x/xs models. |
#6
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Quote:
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System: ML:5206,5302 Serafino's Nordost Lumin U1 RM15 |
#7
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I agree with the others that the newer CD players while better aren’t night and day better but they will do DSD via usb if you’re interested in that. Overall a stand alone dac could improve your sound much more than one of the newer players albeit at a higher price. Also ... I wouldn’t be too concerned about only having usb for now ... I’m running an Aurender N100h into an Esoteric D-02x and it sounds amazing. Good luck!
George |
#8
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Correct!
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#9
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Quote:
I just renewed my membership - old signature looks lost so I've re-added my gear - should now appear below. By streaming, I assume you mean non-local files? Yes, I plan to try TIDAL soon, through the N100H. I would subscribe to their higher end paid service for the better SQ. Good question on $. I am happy with what I have, more curious in what's being left on the table with the K-03 DAC specifically. After I bought the K-03, there was the K-03X, and at a much higher price point the K-01(X). I would consider all of this 'out of my budget', but I am wondering if the passing of time has opened up tangibly better DAC opportunities at a lower price point. For example, I have read that some very budget components like the Shiit YGGY at $2,400 can compare favourably to some much more expensive DACs. Hence the question - how does the 'old' K-03 DAC stack up today? HI there, a silver I believe - was not too $$ if I remember, it sounded like a decent price point in the context of the N100H? Good question, I am not 100% sure what that means in my context - I'm a streaming newbie. Everything I've ripped on the Aurender is Redbook CD only. Not sure what format TIDAL will be in? As for my limited SACD and BluRay library, I'd plan to continue to spin that physical media on the K-03 and my Oppo, respectively. Quote:
Quote:
Cheers Matt |
#10
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Matt, a couple of comments. Regarding the YGGY, you might find jdandy's extensive review helpful:
https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=41915 The YGGY is very good at what it does, but has limited functionality. A potential upgrade that's more affordable now than previously would be your K-03 to a 'pre-owned' K-01X. There's lots of discussion on the relative merits of these players in the Esoteric sub-forum. |
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