Product Description
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.
VRDS Technology
VRDS (Vibration-Free Rigid Disc-Clamping System) is a core technology of Esoteric’s CD/Super Audio CD transport mechanisms that has been a focus of the brand since its inception. The system firmly clamps the disc to a platter of the same diameter, eliminating both the rotational vibration of the disc itself and the effects of any extraneous mechanical vibration. Any latent disc warpage is also corrected by the turntable to significantly improve the relative optical axis accuracy of the optical pickup and the disc pit surface, while also minimizing servo current. This all combines to significantly reduce disc read errors and further enable breathtaking sound quality.
The VRDS mechanism has undergone continuous development and improvement for over 30 years. During its long and illustrious history, one of the most important highlights was the introduction of the VRDS-ATLAS platform, which represents the pinnacle of perfection and sound quality. The K-01XD is equipped with VRDS-ATLAS mechanisms that have been specially adapted for this model, in order to inherit all the qualities of the VRDS-ATLAS reference mechanism used in our flagship models, the Grandioso P1X SE and the K1X SE.
The K-01XD SE’s new ATLAS 01 disc transport features a 20mm SS400 steel bridge, identical to that used in our high-end Grandioso models. The mechanism features ultra-high rigidity and a heavy-duty design to dampen any vibrations that could affect sound quality. The transport’s duralumin platter also has a well-deserved reputation for excellent sound quality, and its solid steel bridge is larger than that of the VRDS-NEO, and it uses a single-point spindle bearing design that minimizes friction and rotational noise through its point-contact thrust bearing system, the same design as the high-end models.
As the quietest and most elegant transport in VRDS history, Esoteric’s impressive VRDS-ATLAS epitomizes the company’s resolute focus on mechanical grounding technology to more effectively reduce vibration.
The adoption of a wide, low-profile design for the entire transport mechanism helped achieve a lower center of gravity, while the relocation of the turntable motor from its previous position above the bridge to below the turntable dramatically shortened the path for grounding vibration and reduced mechanical noise. Tray cavities have also been minimized for increased rigidity, and special vibration-absorbing elastomer stoppers cancel out resonance when the tray is in the closed position.
The key to the sound quality of the K Series, which boasts a powerful, sculpted, three-dimensional sound, lies in its powerful power supply. In the SE model, the power supply section has also been brushed up, adding even more depth to the tone. The K-01XD SE is equipped with a total of four large toroidal transformers, with the L/R of the D/A converter section, the mechanism, and the digital circuits each powered by its own power transformer.
The power supply uses a low-feedback design for a powerful, open sound in a discrete configuration with no integrated circuitry. A total of 71 super capacitors (total capacitance 1,850,000μF = 1.85F) are installed to improve low-frequency resolution and achieve a remarkable improvement in sound quality.
The VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism is centrally located within the chassis. It is mounted on a 5mm thick steel base plate and supported by three proprietary Pinpoint Feet (Patent #4075477 and #3778108). Pinpoint Feet integrate a spike and saucer to provide effective mechanical grounding of vibrations. These feet are not bolted to the baseplate, but are held in place by the weight of the chassis when installed. By avoiding the stress concentration caused by screwing the Pinpoint Foot body into the large surface area of the baseplate, a more open sound is created. The internal structure of the chassis features a double-deck design, with the audio circuit boards on the upper level and the power supply circuits and transformers on the lower level to minimize magnetic flux leakage and vibration, while also shortening the power supply wiring.
The top panel of the chassis uses a screwless semi-floating structure, which further contributes to an open and dynamic sound.
