Esoteric K-03X

Esoteric
K-03X SACD/CD Player with world renowned VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-10 drive
mech.  Unit is in truly excellent condition with less than 150 hours of
collective play time on the drive.   Unit ships complete with 5-disc Miles Davis Great 5 Box Set and 3 additional Classical Discs - All are New, All are SACD format, all are Esoteric Remasters, and all are free to you with this purchase.

I am the original and only owner.  Unit ships to you FREE by FedEx Ground.  No additional fees passed on to you.

VRDS-NEO [VMK-3.5-10]

The VRDS-NEO drive mechanism
achieves ultimate levels of transport accuracy. Its high-precision turntable
was specially designed to spin Super Audio CD/CD discs, radically improving
reading accuracy by mechanically correcting for surface run-out. To provide a
comparable level of precision, the K-03X is equipped with the VRDS-NEO
VMK-3.5-10 drive, placing Esoteric's superlative music reproduction
capabilities within reach of an even greater number of music lovers. The new
addition of its VS-DD spindle servo driver further assures smoother
high-precision servo control.

With its duralumin turntable and 10mm-thick
turntable bridge, the drive mechanism’s massive weight of 24.7 pounds is proof
of its robust construction. Other proven VRDS-NEO features include a
high-flux-density magnet-driven coreless three-phase brushless spindle motor,
high-precision thread feed control, and a shaft-sliding pickup that assures
consistently perpendicular laser illumination.

Dual Mono D/A Converters

Allow for extremely accurate
digital to analog conversion. This is exemplified by the outstanding linearity
and low distortion achieved by the arrangement of 4 individual DAC circuits
operated in parallel in each channel. The K-03X uses the same AK4495S* DAC
chipset.  To minimize noise, two large
toroidal transformers supply power independently to the digital and analog
circuits in each channel. The excellent channel separation and stereo imaging
of the K-03X's converters provide a mesmerizing musical experience.

34-bit D/A Processing

The K-03X combines multiple 32-bit
DAC chipsets and utilizes 34-bit D/A processing algorithm to convert the PCM
signal to analog at a high resolution in excess of 32 bits.  34-bit processing achieves an astounding resolution
that is fully 1,024 times that of common 24-bit processing. In the digital
range, full advantage is taken of high-bit data gradation to minimize
calculation errors and provide faithful conversion to analog, thereby attaining
outstanding powers of expression with even extremely small music signals.

Esoteric-HCLD*: Esoteric's Proprietary Current-Enhancing
Output Buffer Circuit.

The ability to produce
comparatively large currents and high slew rates are two of the most important
factors to enable an analog output circuit to accurately transmit the wide
dynamic range of a music signal without degradation. Two of these buffer
circuits are employed per channel. Their high output current capacity and
exceptionally fast slew rate (2000V/μs) provide an indication of their
excellent response speed. By configuring them differentially to drive the XLR
outputs and in parallel to drive the RCA outputs, the instantaneous output
current available is maximized. The Esoteric-HCLD circuitry enables the K-03X
to recreate the full dynamism of music with a sense of realism that will take
your breath away.

*HCLD=High
Current Line Driver

Comprehensive D/D
Conversion Compatible with wide Range of Sources.

In addition to playback
at the original sampling frequency, 2X, 4X and 8X up-conversion of the PCM
digital signal is also provided. A range of D/D conversion modes are also
available for the PCM format, such as PCM-to-DSD conversion.

Digital Inputs Support DSD (DoP format) and High-Res PCM

Three digital inputs (USB, coaxial,
and optical) enable connection to a wide range of systems. Coaxial and optical
inputs support DSD in DoP format and high-resolution PCM of up to 192
kHz/24-bit.

USB Support for 2.5/5.6 MHz DSD, 384 kHz/32-bit PCM, and
Asynchronous Transmission

The USB input supports asynchronous
transmission and rates up to 2.8/5.6 MHz DSD and 384 kHz/32-bit PCM. Esoteric's
original PC driver software achieves outstanding playback of even
studio-master-quality source files. DoP and ASIO 2.1 are also supported.

*ASIO
is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

High-Precision VCXO
Clock

Often considered the
heart of a digital player, the clock circuit supplies a high- accuracy
reference clock signal to the digital circuitry. Its voltage-controlled crystal
oscillator (VCXO) was developed in a joint effort with Nihon Dempa Kogyo (NDK),
a major manufacturer of crystal oscillators.  As a high-precision custom clock worthy of the
world's leading equipment, this circuit ensures exceptional sound playback
quality thanks to an exceptionally large crystal element with excellent center
accuracy (±0.5 ppm*) and extremely low levels of phase noise.

*at time of shipping

Output Modes

The analog audio outputs
can be switched between RCA, XLR, and OFF. Hot 2 or Hot 3 XLR pin assignments
can also be selected.

Chassis Construction and
Parts Layout

The VRDS-NEO transport
mechanism is positioned in the center of the unit, directly attached to the 5
mm-thick steel chassis bottom, and is supported at three points by Esoteric's
proprietary pinpoint feet (Patent No. 4075477) to effectively suppress the effects
of vibration on the turntable mechanism. The chassis interior features a
double-deck construction with five compartments. Each circuit block is isolated
within its own compartment to minimize interference between circuits. Two
separate audio boards for each channel are positioned nearest the rear
terminals. The audio power circuitry and power transformers are also isolated
from the audio boards, and the power supply wiring has been made as short as
possible to minimize the influence of magnetic flux leakage, vibration, and the
like.

The K-03X is equipped with two large-capacity toroidal transformers: one for
the analog circuitry and the other for the digital/mechanism drive circuitry.
This design provides ideal power supply capability to all circuit blocks
without interference.

Remote control included

 A wireless remote control with brushed aluminum fascia.
(RC-1301）