Any experience with Esoteric K-05?

Thanks Kiwi. Very interesting and distinct comparison. I was really leaning towards the Esoteric units, but you stopped me cold with the Cary win-points. You used the word "trumps", which in my mind means decisively better. Is either unit actually weak in the areas it was trumped, or are they still very good, but noticeably weaker just in comparison to the other's strengths?

Kiwi, btw, where is your blog?

Hi Jeffkad,

Trumps as in plainly elevated above or prevailing...

Remember though, this is all subjective stuff; a comparison using my ears and my reference system does not mean one machine is better than the other.

All I can say is that located within a strictly neutral playback chain the Esoteric is simply not engaging enough. Little wonder then that many living with the machine are using either a valve pre-amp and/or warm cabling systems in a quest to connect to the performance.

04-14-13: Jeffkad
Kiwi, btw, where is your blog?

My blog is
here

I have owned both the Cary 306 (not pro) and numerous Esoteric unit (X-03, P3/D5 combo). To my hears, I just love the way Esoteric cdps sound. To me and my system, the Esoteric sounded more resolving and energetic. Dont get me wrong, the Cary 306 was very good but it sounded too lush for my tastes. At the end of the day, it was like splitting hairs for me between these two units but ultimately I chose the Esoteric.

I am now getting back into audio after a bit of layoff and am seriously considering the K-05 or -03, probably leaning towards the -05 only because I want to keep the amount of money I spend on this system in sane levels unlike my other system.