Esoteric K-03 or K-01

I find it interesting that all the post's I've read on the K-01 and the K-03 during the past year not once anywhere has anyone stated the Esoteric model's have a very organic
analogue quality and sound like vinyl. I have listened to previous Esoteric model's four years ago and found them to be antiseptic and a little too cool for my taste and understand the current model's have made slight improvement's to correct those sonic problem's. The Marantz SA-11S3 for $4K is all you will ever need with its warm, rich, outstanding quality that compare's to vinyl.
Music Direct recently informed me that every time a new batch of SA-11S3's come in they sell out within four weeks and are currently expecting their next shipment. I have heard the SA-11S2 a year ago and was floored. The sound quality was so incredible you completely forget about price and are drawn in and swept away by the full, fast, organic richness
that stop's you like a deer in the headlights. If you think
nowaday's that paying higher's prices will get you better performance from a disc player, think again. That was true five or six year's ago but with the technical R&D with digital technology player's currently priced in the $4K to $6K will equal the musical quality of player's costing $20K
five year's ago. The new Marantz SA-11S3 is a giant killer that just might make you consider putting your turntable in the attic.

Hi Audiozen, thank you for pointing out Marantz SA 11S3, I should look into it. Regarding the players under discussion in this thread, if you enjoy a "very organic
analogue quality and sound like vinyl"sound with a tube-like quality to it, you will achieve it by activating the Slow Delay 1 filter on K-01. I have never heard the Marantz SA 11S3, as such I have no idea if I would prefer it over the fabulously musical and definitely NOT sterile K-01... or my beloved old Esoteric X-01.

G.

I need to audition the Marantz again. My previous experience, albeit brief gave me the impression that the Marantz was a bit too "thick" for my tastes. This could have been because of the associated electronics and speakers. Having owned the X-03, I would not say Esoteric is sterile or thin. In fact, I would say its definitely detailed and transparent. Its these details though that help make it sound organic to me. Anyway, looking forward to comparing the two.

Tboooe..it could be the Marantz you listened to had the filter's set to create a thicker sound. As I indicated, the SA-11S3 has filter settings like the Esoteric to vary the sonic character to sound thick and laid back or very open and neutral with no harshness or grain. According to one owner in a thread, silver IC's add benefit to the Marantz.

Hey Skreich , have you made a decision yet? Hope you end up with the K-01, you won't regret it. The K-01 is a better player the DAC is great, good listening whatever way you go !