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Esoteric K-03Xs Player

I just ordered a new Esoteric K-03Xs CD/SACD player. As I am previously used to excellent sounding EMM gear converting PCM to DSD, would any Esoteric owners recommend the similar PCM to DSD conversion setting with DSD filter ON, or are there strong recommendations otherwise. I’m not really a tweaker, and would prefer the digital engineers at Esoteric making these choices with their gear, as did Ed Meitner at EMM. Thanks for your kind input and recommendations.
audiobrian
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,417 posts
 
Just received my K-03xs the other day. Unboxed and put on the rack over the weekend. What a fine looking piece of gear. I'll get it connected up and start breaking it in soon. Once I get a sense of what it can do I'll post some comments. 
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,417 posts
 
I've got about 50 hours on my K-03xs now and it is a wonderful piece of gear. It replaced my trusty X-03se which was also a great piece. The K-03xs is much more "analogue" sounding--very spacious, tonally correct and vivid, with excellent detail retrieval. I haven't played around with the settings yet--still breaking it in--but will once I get past the 100 hour mark. The K-03xs impresses with extraordinary build quality and sonics--a really nice machine!
johnread57's avatar
johnread57
241 posts
 
K03Xs
So two filter options...
PCM to DSD
Filter Option 4

Mmm more to try.
I find the unit sharp on leading and trailing edges of music. Still amazing resolution definition and articulation.

Ill try these to try and tame the sharpness.

For me though if it’s in the individual signal production then filters are like tone controls, that my F05 has available.

EMM is/was an alternative. More to try and test out.
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