Esoteric K-03XD SE SACD Player

The K-03XD has now evolved into the latest SE model with advanced sound quality.

Since its inception in 1987, Esoteric has been at the forefront of innovation as a high-end audio brand from Japan, continually pushing the boundaries of high quality sound reproduction. The Esoteric brand is known for its outstanding acoustic engineering that has sustained its reputation and prestige, its massive investment without regard to cost, its “museum quality” craftsmanship, and its beautiful designs worthy of music reproduction.

Esoteric has brought a number of highly original innovations to the world of high-end audio, including the legendary VRDS-ATLAS Super Audio CD transport mechanism, Master Sound Discrete DAC and Master Sound Discrete Clock with proprietary discrete circuits; it is no exaggeration to say that Esoteric’s history is synonymous with digital playback innovation in high-end audio.

Finally, the SE versions of the K-01XD and K-03XD are now available with new discrete clock technology and improved analog circuitry in the DAC. We are proud of our brand and always strive for the best sound.

The SE models we are releasing this time reflect every conceivable technological accumulation from the time the original model was introduced to the present. Enjoy the enhanced presence, dynamics, and beautifully organic and musical textures of the new SE models.

Features

“VRDS-ATLAS (ATLAS 03)” Super Audio CD transport mechanism with 18 mm turntable bridge

“Master Sound Discrete DAC” – In-house developed ladder DAC with unique FPGA, 64bit/512Fs Delta-Sigma modulator

Up-graded DAC board with premium grade parts (SE)

Super high slew-rate, “Esoteric-HCLD” high current line driver (2,000V/μs)

“ES-Link Analog” current signal transmission output

“Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player” – in-house developed discrete clock module (SE)

Clock sync function

Two independent toroidal power supply transformers (for digital and analog circuits)

Low-feedback discrete DC regulators

26 × EDLC* super capacitors (total capacitance: 650,000μF＝0.65F)

Up-sampling function (x2/x4/x8/x16, max. 768kHz), PCM to DSD (22.5MHz) convert function

USB Type-B port supporting 22.5MHz DSD and asynchronous transmission

RC-1333 double-face remote controller that can also control Esoteric amplifiers.

Specifications

Playable disc types Super Audio CD, CD (including CD-R and CD-RW)

Anaog audio outputs

XLR/ESL-A 1 pair (L/R)

Output impedance 114Ω

Maximum output level 5.0Vrms (1kHz, 10kΩ loaded)

RCA 1 pair (L/R)

Output impedance 34Ω

Maximum output level 2.5Vrms (1kHz, 10kΩ loaded)

Digital audio outputs

XLR 1

Output impedance 3Vp-p (110Ω loaded)

Output signal formats Linear PCM (AES/EBU) 44.1kHz,16-bit（CD）

RCA 1

Output impedance 0.5Vp-p (75Ω loaded)

Output signal formats Linear PCM (IEC60958) 44.1kHz,16-bit（CD）

Digital audio inputs

RCA 1

Input signal formats

Linear PCM 32k to 192kHz, 16/24-bit (IEC60958)

DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)

OPTICAL 1

Input signal formats

Linear PCM 32k to 192kHz, 16/24-bit (IEC60958)

DSD 2.8MHz (DoP)

USB B 1 (USB2.0 supported)

Input signal formats

Linear PCM 44.1k to 384kHz, 16/24/32-bit (IEC60958)

DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz

Clock input

BNC 1

Input impedance 50Ω

Frequencies that can be input (±10ppm) 10MHz

Input level 0.5 to 1.0Vrms (Sine wave)

External control interface

RS-232C 1

Trigger 1 (3.5mm Monaural mini jack)

General

Power consumption 25W

External dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 162 × 438mm (including protrusions)

Weight 28kg

Included accessories Power cord set × 1

Remote control (RC-1333) × 1

AA batteries × 2

Felt pads × 3

Owner's manual × 1

Warranty card × 1