How much better is Esoteric K-03 vs K-05?

K-03 has a better transport and DAC implementation. K-05 is good, K-03 is considerably better, K-01 is the best single-box solution Esoteric makes. I own a K-03 in my office system and its REALLY good. K-05 doesn't have as much sonic "weight". With Esoteric, you really do get what you pay for.

Just having fun with you Milpai :)

Fplanner, that's good to know. I expected as much, and probably would have been very happy with the K-05, but I couldn't resist the K-03.

Other than a server, this should complete the 2ch aspect of my system, joining Revel Salon 2s upfront, a Mac MC452 amp, a Krell S-1200 pre, and now the Esoteric. Hopefully I can jump off the merry-go-round and settle into just listening instead of chasing better equipment :)

OK Jeffkad
To make you feel better I had k-05 for 3 weeks.
Natural sounding player with good amount of details and when properly burned in does not exibit digital glare. After that I decided to listen k-03 and k-01 (my dealer had a demos). K-03 is much more resolving and more dynamic player and I think, best/price combo in esoteric line. But I end-up buying K-01 :), because I am running K-01 direct to amplifier and K-01 was worth the price from what I heard. Please be patient and burn each filter option at least 300 hours before jumping to conclusions.

Thanks much Denon1. Yes, from your older posts and many others, I'm very aware of the burn-in time, and that it must happen on each filter you use. That is a bit daunting, but I will work my way through it eventually. I will probably put this up as a separate post, but interested in which two filters worked best for you? If I can focus on two, maybe on opposite ends of spectrum, that will make process less arduous. I have noted that in some cases, people preferred one filter before break-in and another after break-in.

@Denon1, just curious what your thoughts are on using the K-01 direct to the amp. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the K-01 adjusts volume digitally??