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  #11  
Old 01-28-2019, 07:57 PM
Matt Lan Matt Lan is offline
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Yup, thanks - I read the review and it was somewhat the basis for my questions. Great review, actually, and it really got me thinking...

BTW, a few weeks ago I visited a hi-fi shop on an unrelated matter. The salesperson asked about my setup generally, and his comment was in a nutshell: 'nice kit, but you could do better with your DAC'. Unsolicited, but something I had on my mind already...

The K-03 is coming up on 8 years old, it's a great machine and does everything I've asked/hoped of it. Here we are in 2019, and I am honestly wondering if the DAC, in my simple application, can be bested on a 'budget' component basis just by sheer march of progress. BTW - I am not thinking of replacing the K-03 - I'd of course keep it as a great player for my SACD's and for when I want to spin a new CD that's not been ripped yet.

Cheers

Matt

Last edited by Matt Lan; 01-28-2019 at 08:00 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-28-2019, 08:13 PM
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crwilli crwilli is online now
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Matt, DSD files are, simply put, the same as an SACD. You can buy DSD files online and rip SACDs to DSD (with some specific equipment and software). I find them for the most part, wonderful and having the capability was something I wanted when I sold my K-03 and bought a K-03x. Just something you should put in the hat for things you might look for when upgrading.
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  #13  
Old 01-28-2019, 08:55 PM
GSOphile GSOphile is online now
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Matt, I'm in a place similar to you in that I have a K-03X and am interested in either augmenting it with a network transport (maybe an Esoteric N-03t or a Lumin) or acquiring a separate network player. I'm in the research phase at present, so interested to see where you come out.
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  #14  
Old 02-19-2019, 02:05 PM
cam08529 cam08529 is offline
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Matt & GSOphile:
I am successfully using my K-03X as a DAC with my Bryston network streamer as a Roon endpoint. That setup allows me to stream virtually all digital formats up to 2X DSD resolution. I have some limitations on streaming DSD as the Bryston only streams that format via it's USB ports.

When I was shopping for a network streamer, I wanted it to be Roon ready and compatible with Apple airplay. I use airplay to stream to multiple (mostly vintage) systems in my home for casual listening. The Bryston BDP-3 checked both of those boxes.

Everything works great and sounds fine. The USB connection on the K-03X can be a bit fussy however. I have to set to K-03X to the USB input first, then boot up the network streamer and lastly start Roon. It's fine after that as long as I don't switch inputs on the K-03X. If you do, the USB connection won't relock without restarting everything in sequence. The Esoteric instruction manual does state that that the input should not be changed after establishing a USB connection. No issues like that with the K-03X coax digital input however. I have only a few DSD titles anyway so usually just use the coax input on my K-03X to make it simpler.

Bottom line-There's a great DAC in any K-03 & I enjoy it almost every day.
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