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Esoteric K-03X

0% – 3 Year Financing Available!!

Esoteric K-03X SACD/CD Player/DAC

Super Audio CD/CD Player

Sound With Pedigree

The K-03X all-in-one player is designed to offer as much of the stellar performance provided by the K-01X as possible. Using the same design philosophy as the K-01X, it also derives its leading technology from this model. Its VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 drive mechanism now incorporates Esoteric’s advanced VS-DD servo driver for even smoother spindle operation. Its dual mono DAC, also found in the K-01X, is configured with 4 individual converter circuits operating in parallel and summed to optimize linearity and minimize noise. It also employs Esoteric’s innovative 34-bit D/A processing algorithm.

With a pedigree extending directly back to the Grandioso D1, the K-03X is clear in its stunning sound quality, ease of use and wide functionality, including such recent developments as its DSD compatible USB interface.

Product Description

0% – 3 Year Financing Available!!

Esoteric K-03X SACD/CD Player/DAC

Super Audio CD/CD Player

The K-03X all-in-one player is designed to offer as much of the stellar performance provided by the K-01X as possible. Using the same design philosophy as the K-01X, it also derives its leading technology from this model. Its VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 drive mechanism now incorporates Esoteric’s advanced VS-DD servo driver for even smoother spindle operation. Its dual mono DAC, also found in the K-01X, is configured with 4 individual converter circuits operating in parallel and summed to optimize linearity and minimize noise. It also employs Esoteric’s innovative 34-bit D/A processing algorithm.

With a pedigree extending directly back to the Grandioso D1, the K-03X is clear in its stunning sound quality, ease of use and wide functionality, including such recent developments as its DSD compatible USB interface.

The Features

USB Support for 2.5/5.6 MHz DSD, 384 kHz/32-bit PCM, and Asynchronous Transmission

 The USB input supports asynchronous transmission and rates up to 2.8/5.6 MHz DSD and 384 kHz/32-bit PCM. Esoteric’s original PC driver software achieves outstanding playback of even studio-master-quality source files. DoP and ASIO 2.1 are also supported.

VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10” transport mechanism

 Originally developed for the Grandioso P1, the VRDS-NEO drive mechanism achieves ultimate levels of transport accuracy. Its high-precision turntable was specially designed to spin Super Audio CD/CD discs, radically improving reading accuracy by mechanically correcting for surface run-out. To provide a comparable level of precision, the K-03X is equipped with the VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 drive, placing Esoteric’ s superlative music reproduction capabilities within reach of an even greater number of music lovers. The new addition of its VS-DD spindle servo driver further assures smoother high-precision servo control.
With its duralumin turntable and 10mm-thick turntable bridge, the unit’s massive weight of 4.4kg (11.2kg including its highly rigid base) is proof of the drive’s robust construction. Other proven VRDS-NEO features include a high-flux-density magnet-driven coreless three-phase brushless spindle motor, high-precision thread feed control, and a shaft-sliding pickup that assures consistently perpendicular laser illumination.

VS-DD Spindle Servo Driver

The proprietary VS-DD spindle servo driver previously used only in Esoteric’ s top-end models is now made available to the K-03X. Its discrete three-channel amplifier circuitry optimizes the waveform of the current supplied to the motor for quieter and smoother spindle operation and high-precision servo control.

Dual Mono D/A Converters Follow the Design Philosophy of the K-01X

 Due to the exceptional performance of its D/A converters, the K-03X offers a level of sound quality on a par with the K-01X in terms of clarity and musical presence. Its multiple DAC design philosophy, carried over from the Grandioso D1, allows extremely accurate digital to analog conversion. This is exemplified by the outstanding linearity and low distortion achieved by the arrangement of 4 individual DAC circuits operated in parallel in each channel. The K-03X uses the same AK4495S DAC chipset featured in both the Grandioso D1 and the K- 01X. To minimize noise, two large toroidal transformers supply power independently to the digital and analog circuits in each channel. The excellent channel separation and stereo imaging of the K-03X’s converters provide listeners with a mesmerizing musical experience.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

Compatible disc typesSuper Audio CD, CD (CD-R/CD-RW compatible)
Analog audio outputJacksXLR jacks (2 channel) x 1
RCA jacks (2 channel) x 1
Output impedanceXLR: 40Ω
RCA: 10Ω
Maximum output leve
(1 kHz, full scale, 10 k ohms)
XLR (Gain: 0 dB): XLR: 4.8Vrms
RCA: 2.4Vrms
Frequency response5Hz to 40kHz (-3dB))
Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N)116dB
Total harmonic distortion0.0001% (1kHz)
Digital audio outputCoaxial RCA jack x 10.5 Vp-p/75 ohms
Digital audio inputCoaxial RCA connector x 1(input impedance 75 ohms)
Optical digital connector x 1-24.0 to -14.5 dBm peak
USB port B connectorUSB 2.0 / 192 kHz-24 bit async.
Clock synchronization input formatJackBNC
Input impedance75 ohms
Input levelRectangle wave: equivalent to TTL levels
Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0 Vrms/50 to 75 ohms
GENERAL
Power supplyPower supplyAC 230 V, 50 Hz
AC 120 V, 60 Hz
AC 220 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption25 W
External dimensions
(W x H x D)
445 x 162 x 438 mm (17 1/4″ x 6″ 3/8 x 13 1/4″) (including protrusions)
Weight28 kg (61 3/4 lbs)
AccessoriesRemote control unit (RC-1301) x 1
Batteries (AA) x 2
Power cord set x 1
Felt pads x 3
Owner’s manual x 1
Warranty card x 1
– This product is available in three different power supply variations shown in the chart above. Make sure that the voltage shown on the rear panel matches the AC line voltage in your area.
– The shape of the AC inlet and plug of the supplied power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Esoteric K-03X Super Audio CD/ CD Player

COMPATIBLE DISC TYPES Super Audio CD, CD (CD-R/CD-RW compatible)

ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUT Jacks XLR jacks (2 channel) x 1 / RCA jacks (2 channel) x 1

Output impedance XLR: 40Ω / RCA: 10Ω

Maximum output level (1 kHz, full scale, 10 k ohms) XLR (Gain: 0 dB):
XLR: 4.8Vrms
RCA: 2.4Vrms

Frequency response 5Hz to 40kHz (-3dB))
Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) 116dB
Total harmonic distortion 0.0001% (1kHz)

DIGITIAL AUDIO OUTPUT
Coaxial RCA jack x 1 0.5 Vp-p/75 ohms

DIGITAL AUDIO INPUT
Coaxial RCA connector x 1 (input impedance 75 ohms)
Optical digital connector x 1 -24.0 to -14.5 dBm peak
USB port B connector USB 2.0 / 192 kHz-24 bit async.

CLOCK SYNCRONIZATION INPUT
Jack BNC
Input impedance 75 ohms
Input level Rectangle wave: equivalent to TTL levels
Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0 Vrms/50 to 75 ohms

GENERAL
Power supply AC 230 V, 50 Hz /AC 120 V, 60 Hz  /  AC 220 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption 25 W
External dimensions (W x H x D)
445 x 162 x 438 mm (17 1/4″ x 6″ 3/8 x 13 1/4″) (including protrusions)
Weight 28 kg (61 3/4 lbs)

ACCESSORIES
Remote control unit (RC-1301) x 1
Batteries (AA) x 2
Power cord set x 1
Felt pads x 3
Owner’s manual x 1
Warranty card x 1

– This product is available in three different power supply variations shown in the chart above. Make sure that the voltage shown on the rear panel matches the AC line voltage in your area.
– The shape of the AC inlet and plug of the supplied power cord depends on the voltage rating and destination country.

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