K-05XD

The Esoteric K-05XD is a Super Audio CD player with a completely revised design platform, combining the VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism with Master Sound Discrete DAC and Master Sound Discrete Clock circuitry.

The K-05 series began in 2011, followed by the K-05X in 2015 and the K-05Xs in 2018. The K-05XD retains the underlying philosophy of the series while being redesigned from the ground up as a new Super Audio CD player, with a platform that differs from the previous 05 models.

Its dedicated VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism, known as ATLAS 05, has been developed specifically for the K-05XD. The digital-to-analogue conversion section uses an in-house discrete circuit incorporating the Master Sound Discrete DAC. The player also includes the Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player, a discrete clock circuit developed for built-in digital players from work carried out on the Grandioso G1X master clock generator.

An enlarged double-layer chassis accommodates the ATLAS mechanism, larger circuit blocks and the power supply section. The revised appearance brings the K-05XD closer in design to Esoteric’s upper models.

The player is designed to reproduce fine musical detail across a broad range of tones and genres, from smooth arias to rock. The K-05XD combines the established K-05 series design approach with its new transport, DAC and clock technologies.

• Newly designed VRDS-ATLAS ATLAS 05 Super Audio CD Transport mechanism
• Master Sound Discrete DAC, in-house developed FPGA, 64bit/512Fs Delta-Sigma modulator
• Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player, in-house discrete clock module
• Our proprietary ES-Link Analogue current signal transmission output
• Esoteric-HCLD output buffer amplifier, slew rate: 2,000V/μs
• 3 power supply transformers, 2 toroids for analogue and digital, and 1 EI for control
• Low-feedback DC regulator
• 10MHz external clock input
• Equipped with MQA decoder
• USB DAC function, DSD 22.5MHz and asynchronous transmission capability
• Various in/out terminals:
   - Digital inputs: coaxial, optical, 192kHz and DoP
   - Digital outputs: XLR, coaxial
• Selectable digital filter options for PCM, analogue FIR filter on/off function for DSD
• RS-232C port, trigger on/off control
• RC-1333 remote controller that can also control Esoteric amplifiers.