Esoteric K-03XD SE 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. K-03XD SE key features (New features of the SE model are shown withicon) “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 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 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. Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player It is no exaggeration to say that the clock circuitry is the biggest key to high sound quality in digital music reproduction. For its flagship master clock generator Grandioso G1X, Esoteric has perfected its own in-house manufactured OCXO clock module, the Master Sound Discrete Clock. The G1X’s unique discrete circuitry has been highly acclaimed for its superior musical expressiveness, creating a buzz in the world of high-end audio that has traditionally been described only in terms of technical specifications.The “Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player” used in the new SE model applies the basic design concept of G1X’s in-house manufactured OCXO module to the internal clock of the digital player models. The unique circuit design using carefully selected discrete components, such as a large crystal oscillator, achieves high sound quality that reflects Esoteric’s philosophy in every detail, which cannot be achieved with an off-the-shelf clock module. The new SE model can also be connected to the Esoteric G series external master clock generator to improve sound quality by synchronizing the internal SE clock circuitry to an even more accurate 10 MHz clock. Tech Specs 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 (Please see here for command table) Trigger 1 (3.5mm Monaural mini jack) General Power supply Model for Europe AC 220 to 240V, 50/60Hz Model for US/Canada AC 120V, 60Hz Model for Korea AC 220V, 60Hz Model for Hong Kong AC 230V, 50Hz Power consumption 25W External dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 162 × 438mm17-⅝" × 6-½" × 17-¼" (including protrusions) Weight 28kg / 61-¾ lb Included accessories Power cord set × 1Remote control (RC-1333) × 1AA batteries × 2Felt pads × 3Owner's manual × 1Warranty card × 1
