Esoteric K-03 User Manual

New Product Information

K-03

Digital Source Device

VRDS-NEO, 4-DAC (32BIT)/CH, 192/24 HIGH-REZ INPUTS, ADVANCED CLOCKING

INTRODUCTION

ESOTERIC releases the K-01, the flagship model of our all-in-one advanced D/A converter and Super Audio CD/CD player series,

capitalizing on ESOTERIC’s state-of-the-art technology and derived from our award winning P-01/D-01 series separates. It has been

seven years since the debut of the original X-01, with its high-precision and high-rigidity VRDS-NEO SACD/CD transport mechanism.

The X-01/X-03 series, which have stayed at the top of ESOTERIC’s all-in-one SACD/CD player lineup, have been completely updated

and make their debut as the all-new “K” series in November 2010.

The design concept of the K series is extremely clear and simple -- a 2-channel D/A converter and stereo player that gives a stress-free

musical experience, without adding or removing anything from the original source material. All aspects of the design and engineering

process for the K series had extremely tough requirements to further advance ESOTERIC's top technology. Design and engineering

was completed applying all of ESOTERIC’s know-how in mechatronics technology, state-of-the-art audio technology, and evolutionary

materials including DAC implementation, for which cost was not a consideration. The K series is committed to advancing the “state of

the art” for the 2 channel audio purist, for both high resolution audio files and disc based audio playback applications.

The K-03 is equipped with our new VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10” mechanism, which has further advanced substantially beyond existing

VRDS models, and a dual mono configuration of 32-bit monaural D/A converters with four parallel/differential DAC circuits per channel.

The analog audio circuit has a separate power transformer. The on-board high-precision clocking circuit has also been advanced. Three

sets of 192 kHz/24-bit digital inputs supporting the most advanced high-sampling digital sources are also built-in. USB driver software

supports 192 kHz/24-bit asynchronous transmission for connecting with a PC.

The K-03 is a high performance model that follows the philosophy of the top-end all-in-one K-01 digital source,

2-channel playback device.

FEATURES

V

RDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10” transport mechanism

This is a comprehensive compilation of ESOTERIC’s high-end
mechatronics technology. The K-03 uses an evolutionary version
of the mechanism configuration adopted for the X-03SE SACD/CD
player and now includes the VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10.” This new
VRDS mechanism includes further refinements in the design of the
driver circuit. The all-new driver circuit specifically for SACDs and
CDs, enables smooth, high-precision servo control. A duralumin
turntable with micron-level accuracy and a 10 mm steel turntable
bridge are used, resulting in a total weight of 4.4 kg (9.7lbs).
Additionally, the proven features of the VRDS-NEO, such as the
strong neodymium-magnet-driven coreless three-phase brushless
spindle motor, the thread feed control, (which has evolved from the
philosophy of the P-0), and the shaft-sliding type pickup, where the
laser beam consistently illuminates the disk perpendicularly, are all
inherited by the K-03.

Dual mono D/A converters based on the philosophy of the
K-01

The K-03’s D/A converter circuits are based on the circuitry of the
ESOTERIC K-01, providing a parallel/differential output with four
circuits per channel. This achieves overwhelming linearity and an
ultra low distortion factor.
For the D/A converter device itself, ASAHI KASEI Microdevices
Corporation’s top-end 32-bit AK4399 (*1) was adopted, after
extended repetitive audio and system reliability auditions.
The 32-bit AKM D/A converters, with four circuits per channel, are
mounted on a separate analog audio board for each of the left and
right channels and configured for dual mono operation with the
same layout for each of the two channels.
The power supply has toroidal transformers specifically used for
the analog audio circuits. The transformers boast an ideal power
supply capacity with a power supply that is separate from the
transport power supply and excellent channel separation achieved
through a power configuration separated into right and left
channels, to enable high-quality playback with rich localization and
sonic depth.

High-quality discrete buffer circuit with a high voltage power
supply

provide a stress-free playback capability for various signals, from
miniscule signals to high-power output. These powerful discrete
buffer output circuits are laid out symmetrically for each of the
hot/cold signal lines to construct a rich and fully balanced
configuration for XLR audio outputs. Additionally, a parallel buffer
output configuration is implemented to switch the buffer amplifier to
a parallel configuration, when RCA audio outputs are used. These
enhancements provide advanced circuitry with the best sound
quality for each of the balanced and unbalanced signal outputs.

ESOTERIC’s proprietary
VRDS-NEO transport
mechanism uses a
high-precision turntable for
spinning Super Audio
CD/CD discs, improving
read precision by
mechanically correcting for
surface run-out.

A discrete buffer output
circuit with a high voltage
power supply of +/- 22 V has
been deployed for the
analog audio output,
following the technology
used in the D-01.
Full use is made of the
exceedingly high drive
capability and slew rate to

(*1) AK4399 is the Audio4pro™ and is a branded product of ASAHI KASEI MICRODEVICES CORPORATION that is designed for professional studio and digital audio applications.

Wide variety of D/D conversion functions that support many
source types

A wide variety of D/D conversion functions are implemented to
match to your favorite source or to your personal sound quality
preference. These functions include a mode to convert DSD and
PCM formats directly into analog signals, as well as PCM
up-conversion to x 2 (64/88.2/96 kHz) or x 4 (128/176.4/192 kHz),
from the original sampling frequency, and even a PCM to DSD
conversion function is available.

1. PCM signals from CD and/or external digital devices:

- Original Fs (32/44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192 kHz)

- x 2 (64/88.2/96 kHz) / x 4 (128/176.4/192 kHz) up-conversion

- PCM to DSD conversion

2. SACD DSD signals:

- DSD native playback

Four types of digital filters and digital filter “Off” mode

The K-03 features four types of digital filters for PCM signal
processing. In addition to two types of FIR digital filters that have a
reputation for outstanding sound quality, two types of short delay
digital filters are featured. These filters, often referred to as
apodizing filters, eliminate the pre-echo and ringing effects in the
impulse waveform to reproduce the audio signal as a more nature
and precise sound, void of the artifacts often associated with CD
recording. The Digital Filter Off mode, which bypasses all 4 of the
digital filters, is also provided. You can select any of the digital
filters or the off mode according to your preference.

Three digital input systems to support a high sampling rate

Even when you use the K-03 as a discrete D/A converter for a
high-sampling-rate source, the K-03 makes the most of the
astonishing quality of its 32-bit dual mono D/A converters.
The K-01 features three systems of input (USB, coaxial and
optical), and these digital inputs support high-sampling-rate
sources up to 24 bit/192 kHz.

USB input supporting asynchronous transmission and 24
bit/192 kHz sources enables high-quality reproduction of
music stored on a PC

(the driver software can be downloaded from the ESOTERIC web
site). The USB input supports high-quality asynchronous
transmission and the input of high-sampling-rate sources up to 24
bit / 192 kHz. Three transmission modes, including two types of
high-speed transmission (including asynchronous transmission),
and the standard full-speed mode, are also provided to enhance
compatibility with a wide variety of PCs and operating systems.
Additionally, an Esoteric USB isolator, isolates the power and
signal paths from the USB input system. This isolator eliminates
interference from external devices, including the PC, to clearly
reproduce high-resolution music files without loss of fidelity.
* Note: Reproducible formats depend on the music player
capabilities installed on the PC.

High-sampling-rate sources
of studio master quality can
be input at their original
resolution, by connecting
the K-03 to your PC through
a USB port. To ensure a
precise high-end design for
the USB connection,
ESOTERIC developed
proprietary driver software