K-03x compared to K-05x : lack of DSD256

[audiohippo]

I'm looking to move on from my PS Audio setup. The K-03x is within my budget, but I noticed that the K-05x actually supports DSD256 / 11.2MHz input via USB, but the K-03x is limited to DSD128 / 5.6MHz, why?

DSD256 isn't so much of a priority now, but in the future it could be valuable to have as a supported format.

Does Esoteric provide firmware updates for their SACD players? Assuming it's a software not a hardware restriction.

Thanks

[MMBL622]

Hi audiohippo

I’m big fan of Esoteric CDP, I was using their X-03SE for 6 years and changed to K-03X two weeks ago. I don’t know why K-05x actually supports DSD256 / 11.2MHz input via USB, but the K-03x is limited to DSD128 / 5.6MHz. I think K-03X’s DAC is much better than K-05X, one of the reason is K-03X uses the same AK4495S DAC chipset featured in both the Grandioso D1 and the K-01X, but K-05X use AK449032-bit DAC. so I guess even K-03x is limited to DSD128 / 5.6MHz, it still sound better than K-05X. If I’m you and have enough budget I will get K-03X. Unfortunately I don’t have enough budget to buy the K-01X, it sound even better than K-03X.

[ABCAudio]

Hi Audiohippo and MMBL622

Please give me your impressions about Esoteric K-03X.

I like Esoteric products and am now wavering betwwen esoteric K-05X and Esoteric N-05X to replace my old CDP, because both of them are exellent. Look at the list attached , we will know which is the better , K-03X or K-05X. To my astonishment, the cheaper K-05X is often superior to K-03X in many contest. What a nice surprise!

Award | ESOTERIC COMPANY

[Formerly YB-2]

Another interesting spec is that the K-01X/03X have a stated bandwidth of 5-40kHz while the K-05X/07X have a bandwidth of 5-70kHz. Go figure.