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Fotos und technische Daten Esoteric K-03 |
Anleitung Zusammenfassung
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 VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10” transport mechanism 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. 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 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 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 t...