Esoteric K-03 DAC, SACD Player

Esoteric K-03 DAC, SACD Player - Consignment

Condition: Used. Excellent, minor dent on rear chassis top edge and scuff on top near logo (See photos). 

Includes: Remote, Original Packaging, Manual, Power Cable

SN: 490007

Made in Japan

New laser recently fitted

Includes 7 day warranty

Overview

It would be easy to see the obvious disc tray and assume the K-03 is another CD-player, but the K-03 was originally marketed more as a DAC with CD capabilities, one step down from Esoteric's flagship “digital source device".

So while digital inputs are limited to coaxial, USB and optical, they feed four 32-bit, AK4399 monaural DACs per channel (the K-01 has an incredible eight per channel), sourced from Asahi Kasei Microdevices. Each dual-mono configured DAC is mounted on a dedicated analog board. 

The chassis is constructed in two levels, with five compartments. Each circuit block is housed indivudally to minimize cross-talk. The central transport mechanism is attached directly to the 5mm-thick steel bottom plate and is supported by three patented, resonant-suppressing feet.

The onboard word clock uses a voltage-controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) with an accuracy of ±0.5 parts per million (ppm); supported by a stabilized power-supply circuit. The clock sync signal is directly delivered to the DACs without passing through the phase-locked loop circuit. The unit also includes facilities for an external word clock via BNC.

The device is SACD capable, using Esoteric's own VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 disc transport. Weighing over 4.5kg by itself, features a duralumin turntable with “micron-level accuracy,” and a 10mm, solid-steel turntable bridge, a coreless, three-phase, brushless-spindle motor driven by strong neodymium magnets and a shaft-sliding type pickup.

Dual proprietary, large-capacity toroidal transformers are employed to manage the DACs and the fully balanced analog circuits, and the digital circuit and transport mechanism. The power circuits and transformers are isolated from the audio board by an internal steel plate. 

Specification

Compatible disc types: Super Audio CD, CD (CD-R/CD-RW compatible)

Analog audio output: XLR jacks (2 channel) x 1, RCA jacks (2 channel) x 1

Output impedance: XLR: 100 Ohm, RCA: 47 Ohm

Frequency response: 5 Hz to 55 kHz (-3 dB)

Maximum output level (1 kHz, full scale, 10 kl): XLR (Gain: 0 dB): 2.45 Vrms, RCA: 2.45 Vrms

Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N): 115dB

Total harmonic distortion: 0.0015% (1 kHz)

Digital audio output: Coaxial RCA jack x 1, 0.5 Vp-p/75 Ohm

Digital audio input:

Optical digital terminal x 1, -24.0 to -14.5 dBm peak

Coaxial RCA terminal x 1 (input impedance 75 Ohm)

USB port - B connector: USB 2.0

Word synchronization input format: Jack BNC 75 Ohm input impedance

Input level: Rectangle wave equivalent to TTL levels, Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0Vrms/50 to 75 Ohm

The K-01/K-03 can accept and synchronize to the following frequencies received from externall clock devices: 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 10 MHz (±15 ppm)

D/A Converter 32bit AK4399 x4 DACs / ch

External dimensions (W x H x D): 445 x 162x438 mm (including protrusions)

Weight: 28 kg

Operating temperature: +5C to +35C

Operating humidity: 5 % to 85 % (no condensation)

AUDIO CONNECTION QUALITY GUARANTEE 

✔️ Seven day warranty on Consignment*
✔️Passed our checks for functionality 
✔️A full inspection noting for any defects
✔️A full completeness check for all included parts and accessories