Esoteric K-05XD SACD Player

Available in black or silver, The core model of ESOTERIC Super Audio CD players, the K-05, is finally available in an XD edition. The design platform is completely revamped and now features VRDS-ATLAS and Master Sound Discrete DAC / Clock circuitry.

This is an arrival of a completely new Super Audio CD player.

The first K-05 model was introduced in 2011, evolved into the K-05X in 2015, and K-05Xs in 2018. It has become the best-selling model at the heart of the ESOTERIC K Series. The K-05XD inherits the philosophy of the historic K-05 series but is totally redesigned as a Super Audio CD player; completely different from the previous 05 models by way of revamping it with an all-new design platform.

A new VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism "ATLAS 05" is designed exclusively for this model, and the DAC section employs a discrete circuit with the "Master Sound Discrete DAC" to further refine the music reproduction capability.

The VRDS-NEO Super Audio CD transport mechanism, which has been adopted by some of the world’s most prominent brands, and its superior performance, which inherits the technical essence of the flagship models of the day, have has been highly acclaimed and have won numerous audio awards worldwide.

Incorporating the fruits of our labor resulting from the development of the Grandioso G1X master clock generator, a unique discrete clock circuit for built-in players, the "Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player" is employed. An enlarged double-layer chassis accommodates the upgraded ATLAS mechanism, each larger circuit block, and the power supply section, while it’s the elegant appearance of the K-05XD, – which is even closer now to the upper models, subtly asserts the richness of its content, worthy of being called a major innovation.

A wide variety of tones that expressively portray the details of music has been achieved, while acquiring the flexibility to adapt to a truly diverse range of genres from silky smooth arias to edgy rock. The lineage of the legendary models fascinating music lovers, and blissful sound brought by an encounter with new technology, the K-05XD invites you to enjoy it to the fullest.

Features

Newly designed VRDS-ATLAS "ATLAS 05" Super Audio CD Transport mechanism

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

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

Our proprietary “ES-Link Analog” current signal transmission output

“Esoteric-HCLD” output buffer amplifier (slew rate: 2,000V/μs)

3 power supply transformers (two toroids for analog, digital and one EI for control)

Low-feedback DC regulator

10MHz external clock input

Equipped with MQA decoder

USB DAC function (DSD 22.5MHz / Asynchronous transmission capability)

Various in/out terminals;

 - Digital inputs: coaxial, optical (192kHz & DoP)

 - Digital outputs: XLR, coaxial

Selectable digital filter options for PCM, analog FIR filter on/off function for DSD

RS-232C port, trigger on/off control

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

Specifications

Analog Audio Outputs

XLR/ES-Link Analog × 1 pair

RCA × 1 pair

Digital Audio Outputs

XLR × 1

Coaxial × 1

Digital Audio Inputs

USB × 1

Coaxial × 1

Optical × 1

10MHz Clock Input

BNC × 1

External Control Section

RS-232C × 1

Trigger In ⅛” (3.5mm) Monaural mini jack × 1

General

Power

AC 120V, 60Hz

AC 220-240V, 50Hz

Overall Dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 161 × 357mm (including protrusions)

Weight 20.7kg

Included accessories Power cord × 1

Remote control (RC-1333) × 1

AA batteries × 2

Felt pads × 3

Owner’s manual × 1

Warranty card × 1

Audio Performance

Frequency Response 5Hz to 70kHz (–3dB, SACD 0dB, DSDF: F2, XLR Output)

S/N Ratio 110dB (IHF-A, SACD 0dB, DSDF: F2, XLR Output)

Total Harmonic Distortion 0.0007% (1kHz, SACD 0dB, DSDF: F2, XLR Output)