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NEED A RECOMMENDATION FOR NEW CD/SACD PLAYER

My Esoteric K-01 player has just stopped working for the second time.
The transport works, but no audio on any source--no audio on CD and no audio from my server. I will send it back for repair. This is the second time for repairs in two years.

Can anyone recommend a CD/SACD player that is more reliable? I thought the sound of the K-01 was very good; I am happy to consider units that are better sounding and/or more expensive. But reliability is just as important.

I just don't want to deal with the unit going down again. . .
huntermusic
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
HunterMusic, before you give up on K-01, I suggest that you discuss your K-01 in detail directly with Tim Crable at Esoteric. K-01 is constructed like a tank, and esoteric products have historically been extremely reliable... The behavior of your unit is rare event in Esoteric products...

It is unlikely that you will find a CDp brand with better build quality... And some of the best CDps on the market today, including the Playback Designs MPS5 mentioned above, do use Esoteric transport mechanisms... Although invariably a few levels below from the subassembly inside K-01.

syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I think, the best quality (reliability) offers Accuphase.
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Oppo, great sound, great value.
maxboy00's avatar
maxboy00
279 posts
 
I have the Esoteric K-07, going on two years, have not had any issues, if your player has now failed twice then Esoteric should replace it no questions asked. Very hard to believe that there flagship player has failed twice, I would try to resolve with Esoteric,it would be, I think, to replace it with something better, since you have the best player now.

Good luck.
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Your problem does not sound like the K-01 has a big issue or failure.

This is something rather simple to fix, IMO.

I'd repair it and upgrade it simply because the transport in the K-01 is built like a tank.

Hope you get this solved soon!

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
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