Click the image to visit the article. (in German)

(Summary in English)
I felt transported back to the good old days of high-end CD players when the editorial team offered me the new Esoteric K-05XD to test. Since the end of the 1980s, I have been fascinated by sophisticated CD players – such as the Esoteric’s big hit in its debut year 1987: the combination of CD transport and DAC P-1/D-1. Even years later, this fascination hasn’t changed much for me, and number of SACD players from various brands have been in my rack for years and serves as my reference. I’m curious to see what the new Esoteric has to offer.

For all its resolution, transparency and tonal honesty, the first-class bass performance and excellent dynamic capabilities ensure that listening to music is never short of fun. The K-05XD is as high-end a device as you could wish for: Built with immense material expenditure, blessed with the best workmanship and a dreamlike sound for me.