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  #21  
Old 01-12-2019, 12:16 AM
gadawg gadawg is offline
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So .. now that I’ve had a chance to do some more in depth listening to the D-02x I thought I’d highlight a few of the differences I hear between it and the K-01xs. First ... the huge soundstage that Esoteric has become so famous for is very evident in both units. I’ve been constantly amazed at how the speakers simply no longer define the boundaries of the soundstage. With the D-02X however the soundstage is a little larger in width and height but where it really outshines the K-01xs is in not only the total depth of the soundstage but the layering of that depth. With the D-02x I feel like there is an entirely new dimension to the music that just wasn’t there before. Maybe it’s the added detail or openness that the D-02X has but I can’t remember when I’ve ever heard this deeply into a recording before.

When it comes to detail both units are in fact very detailed ... more so than any other DACs I’ve owned. What sets the D-02X apart however is the finesse and subtlety of that detail. I’ve never heard my system sound quite so refined as with the D-02X. There is also an openness and ultimate clarity with the D-02X that I just don’t hear from the K-01xs. If I didn’t have them both here to listen to I might not ever miss the difference. Once exposed to the D-02x though, each time I went back to the k-01xs I felt as if something was missing ... that sense of such extreme openness and clarity that you begin to feel like the music is actually happening there with you.

Both units are off the charts dynamic and quiet. I couldn’t say either surpass the other in this regard.

I’d say bass extension is equal in both units with the D-02x having a more detailed bottom end. Both are better than any other Dac I’ve heard here and I’ve never felt the bass in either unit was muddy as some have stated. I have a pair of Martin Logan BF-212s and they are extremely low and revealing and they are in fact a better sub than I thought because of this pairing.

I did a lot of comparing of red book cds connecting the units via Shunyata Anaconda aes and audio outputs from either unit via MIT Oracle interconnect. Also compared with dsd files from my Aurender N100H via wireworld platinum usb. Obviously the Aurender couldn’t be compared instantly as the cable had to be moved but the differences were apparent and large enough it doesn’t take real critical listening to tell them apart.

I will say that as I listen I have the impression there is a greater degree of Timbral accuracy or saturation with the D-02X. A saxophone has more body with the D-02x for instance. A drum strike sounds more like a drum. Neither unit sounds warm but neither do they sound cool. To me they just sound musical and certainly sound as if spun from the same cloth. Detractors claim these are too analytical ... To me if 0 is cold and 100 is tube rich and warm I’d give these units a nice 52... More to the warm side than not but just barely. Don’t understand the analytical comments at all other than possible issues with system synergy?

In the end with the D-02x I find myself getting lost in the music again ... not surfing the internet or reading the news ... just sitting and getting totally lost in the music which is exactly where I’m headed now....

George
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  #22  
Old 01-12-2019, 12:40 AM
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #23  
Old 01-12-2019, 11:56 PM
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Could the K1 with the newer dac chips possible sound better than the D-02x, or its equal with the bonus of a transport S well?

Since the D-02x ak4490 dac chips are now 4 generations behind with the newest AKM offerings of the AK4499 which shod be incorporated in any Esoteric units later this year.
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  #24  
Old 01-13-2019, 12:25 AM
GSOphile GSOphile is online now
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Esoteric has announced their Grandioso D-01X in Japan. It will apparently have in-house developed DAC chips.
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  #25  
Old 01-13-2019, 12:40 AM
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They will be called P1X/D1X

__________________
Ivan
FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #26  
Old 01-13-2019, 12:57 AM
gadawg gadawg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justubes View Post
Could the K1 with the newer dac chips possible sound better than the D-02x, or its equal with the bonus of a transport S well?

Since the D-02x ak4490 dac chips are now 4 generations behind with the newest AKM offerings of the AK4499 which shod be incorporated in any Esoteric units later this year.
I've had a K1 in the house and it is a definite step above the K-01XS but even the K1 couldn't beat the D-02X in my system. There's a lot at play here more than just the latest generation chip changes and the way Esoteric designed the 36 bit processing and 16 DAC circuits per channel most likely make more difference than just a latest generation of the chips. Esosteric's magic has always been in their implementation of the DAC chip and not just the chip itself. Again my opinion but for me the K1 just didn't have the same level of clarity, openness and extremely fine detail that the separate's have. That said ... the K1 is one incredible all in one unit ... probably the best I've heard.

George
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  #27  
Old 01-13-2019, 02:54 AM
justubes justubes is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gadawg View Post

I've had a K1 in the house and it is a definite step above the K-01XS but even the K1 couldn't beat the D-02X in my system. There's a lot at play here more than just the latest generation chip changes and the way Esoteric designed the 36 bit processing and 16 DAC circuits per channel most likely make more difference than just a latest generation of the chips. Esosteric's magic has always been in their implementation of the DAC chip and not just the chip itself. Again my opinion but for me the K1 just didn't have the same level of clarity, openness and extremely fine detail that the separate's have. That said ... the K1 is one incredible all in one unit ... probably the best I've heard.

George
Thank you George.

Wow that's really nice to have hear all the model you were considering.

The reviewa on the K1 was that it was preferred over even the D1 in the musicality aspect, so the D02x must be the sweetest spot in the lineup.

I am was also considering the change from a k01x, but my personal checklist wants to consider a FPGA dac and possibly a streaming addition or mqa capabilities and have thinking of contender like the msb, but I do love the sound from my K01x very much currently.
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  #28  
Old 01-14-2019, 08:10 AM
gadawg gadawg is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justubes View Post
Thank you George.

Wow that's really nice to have hear all the model you were considering.

The reviewa on the K1 was that it was preferred over even the D1 in the musicality aspect, so the D02x must be the sweetest spot in the lineup.

I am was also considering the change from a k01x, but my personal checklist wants to consider a FPGA dac and possibly a streaming addition or mqa capabilities and have thinking of contender like the msb, but I do love the sound from my K01x very much currently.
Just make sure that you are able to listen to whatever you are considering in your system because at this level it often becomes an issue of system synergy or preference over its clearly a better product. Good luck!

George
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  #29  
Old 01-14-2019, 11:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gadawg View Post

Just make sure that you are able to listen to whatever you are considering in your system because at this level it often becomes an issue of system synergy or preference over its clearly a better product. Good luck!

George
Not so luckily to have good distributor for Esoteric here, k03 and below will possibly have open demo sets.

Anything higher models- highly unlikely, at best was the k01 having demos and short lived before it gets sold and no further units will be demoed or even stocked. Your contribution in ghis thread is invaluable to me.

I was thinking it might be safer sticking with the same brand based on the synergy and tweaking done in my setup.

Hoping the discrete dacs from the D1x may trickle down to the next level at least, which seems to make sense that all the R&D wouldnt be just for 1 model alone, as further involvement in software development over time as updates will likely be required.

The prospect of a D02xs with discrete dacs will definately renew my interest and loyalty in the Esoteric brand as i do very much like the sonics.
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  #30  
Old 01-14-2019, 12:25 PM
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George, as a K-03X owner I appreciate your comments in this thread. Very helpful to me in considering potential upgrades.
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