New K-03 owners conference!

[djwhog]

Welcome Down Under

Well for what it is in it's price the Oppo 95 and the 105 are nice multi players, that said it is not even in the same league as to be expected price points etc as the K-03.

If you want a decent to good all around multi player it is about the best in class at the $1000-1200 price point.

But that is where it ends, the staging, attack, clarity, accuracy etc is not close to the K-03. Also the DAC as mentioned by others is world class in the Esoteric gear too.

My findings were that the weakest links on the Oppo if you want to try and compare are in order of weaknesses:

weakest section is the DAC just OK
followed by the CD red-book playback fair to good
Next SACDs are very good
Picture is darn good

[edkoz]

With the addition of the K03 to my system I am re-enjoying my CD collection in a way I never expected.
The K03 brings out all that has been hidden. The music is more refreshing and new. I never thought that it could be this good! This has been one of if not the best addition I have ever made to my system. The mvp861 that was replaced by the K03 now sits unused and lonely.
ED

[Car commander]

The K-03 was better than my Puccini. It's pretty wonderfull. You will not be unhappy with one. The only downside is that you may want to make some other upgrades to take advantage of it. I did.

[JRDiAndrea]

OK, you all got me excited to also post to help boost the number here for Masterlu! I received my K-03 about 3 weeks ago. Have about 250 hours on it. It's my first Esoteric. Really sorry I waited so long to get it into my system!

For the past many years I've had a Bel Canto Pl-1 for CD/SACD/DVD-A. Has been a great performer. I spent the last year auditioning several units and always seemed to gravitate towards the Esoteric. And all that has been said regarding the K-03 is absolutely true. It is an amazing in just about every respect. It has bought much more refinement to my system and in most cases the improvement is more than subtle.

I must also add that I spent even longer researching 2 channel pre amps and DACs. I chose a Viola Crescendo Preamp/DAC. This component is probably the best and most impactful addition I've ever made to my system but that's a story for another time as I'm starting to fade...getting late! The point of bringing this up is that partnering the Crescendo with the K-03 has elevated my system performance and enjoyment significantly. And as good as the K-03 DAC is the Crescendo DAC has proven to be even superior when streaming digital music files. Anyone who utilized the K-03 DAC via USB would be thrilled with the results as I was. Employing the Crescendo via USB for streaming is nothing short of awe inspiring!!

Anyway I need to complete my profile to include my system as of course all parts are important. For the sake of time I'll simply list most of my primary studio/listening room system:

- Lexicon MC12HD
- B & W 800 Diamonds, B&W htm2 Ctr scm1 sides & rears, B&W DB1 subs Xs2
- Viola Symphony Power Amps Xs2 for Diamonds
- Lexicon ZX7 Power Amp for sides/rears
- Oppo 105
- CAPS v3 Zuma server
- Esoteric K-03
- Viola Crescendo Pre/DAC
- RUNCO VX-22d projector
- other assorted fun stuff that, unfortunately, most people don't get!

[Masterlu]

JRDiAndrea... Welcome!

[jdandy]

JRDiAndrea.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

[tweet]

JRDiAndrea... Welcome to AA!

[jameslrock]

Interested in learning the settings others have used for the different inputs.

[JRDiAndrea]

Originally Posted by tweet

JRDiAndrea... Welcome to AA!

Thanks, guys. What I nice welcome! I feel as though I belong already!!

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by djwhog

Welcome Down Under

Well for what it is in it's price the Oppo 95 and the 105 are nice multi players, that said it is not even in the same league as to be expected price points etc as the K-03.

If you want a decent to good all around multi player it is about the best in class at the $1000-1200 price point.

But that is where it ends, the staging, attack, clarity, accuracy etc is not close to the K-03. Also the DAC as mentioned by others is world class in the Esoteric gear too.

My findings were that the weakest links on the Oppo if you want to try and compare are in order of weaknesses:

weakest section is the DAC just OK
followed by the CD red-book playback fair to good
Next SACDs are very good
Picture is darn good

Thanks for the extra information.I think yours is the only 95 vs K-03 comparison I have seen.I would have had the red-book playback at good to very good through the balanced outputs.
Keen to hear the Esoteric now.