Any experience with Esoteric K-05?

kiwi, would love to hear your continued observations. I too was getting swayed by the AA fan club, as well as Alan Taffel's incredible reviews of the K-03 and the D-07x dac. However, while there is no doubt the Esoteric line offers great sound, upon a little more investigation combing through the web, it's definitely a specific sound that may possibly border on the analytically neutral side, or as you call it, a cooler presentation. Thats not necessarily a bad thing, but it implies (as is usually the case) that personal preference as well as system synergy will still matter. If you have a cool system or prefer a warmer sound, this may not be the perfect solution, as Denon1 properly suggested. I don't know what to make of this characteristic, but I'm still very interested in the K-05 or K-03. My only concern is, at this price point, can I find anything else that has this much detail and dynamics, but also provides possibly a more fleshed out, soulful, and dare I say warmer sound.

Jeffkad,

I have the K-01 and agree that the sound of the K series is indeed very neutral. If you are looking for a warmish sound, you can still get the K-03 but add a tubed pre-amp. A very good tubed pre-amp to consider is the ARC Ref 5SE. I used to own the Ref 3 and am now considering the Jeff Rowland Corus and Ref 5SE. I am waiting for a home audition of these 2 pre-amps before making a decision but currently am unable to get hold of well broken-in units for audition.

Jon, I have a combined HT/2ch system with the 2ch gear being Revel Salon 2s as mains, a Mcintosh MC452 amp doing mains power, and a Krell S-1200 processor doing double duty as preamp and processor. Source is Oppo BDP95, the final necessary replacement. Im about to run out of money, lol, so the DAC or CDP/DAC will be my last purchase along with a music server for the final piece of the puzzle, computer audio. No more money or room for a separate tube pre. Hence my concern. Looking forward to more commentary from Kiwi, as the K-03 (or 05) could be an excellent one-box solution as both outstanding CDP/SACD and DAC

Jeff,

I own the Salon 2's driven by ARC (Ref 5SE and DS450). The K-05 sounds terrific in my system. I will confess that I've been tempted to upgrade to a K-03. I do not find the K-05 to be too neutral or "cold" - it is quite musical, not fatiguing with nice extended highs, nice and wide soundstage and darn good imaging. Compared to my ARC DAC8 (which I still own along with the Oppo 83SE), I feel the K-03 sounds better.

Mike

Hi Kiwi,
Have you considered the Modwright-modified Oppo 105? Just a thought. I'm extremely impressed with it.