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  #1  
Old 02-07-2020, 10:58 AM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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Default K1X first impression

My last upper end digital player was Accuphase DP900+DC901. It was very detailed. But later I somehow felt AYON CD35 Signature was much more musical while clearly leas detailed sound. Then I wanted to try Luxman, then I got D08u which I was very happy. The Luxman sounded very good, not as lush as Ayon, but with the best user experience. Smooth drawer, full function remote control.
Now Esoteric K1X .. wow... it is many steps ahead.
Midrange to die for. Everything sounds real. More real.
I am sure Ayon is still lusher due to tubes. But Esoteric sounds more real. A bit disappointed that MQA decoding
Is not ready yet.

Pity that The power cord that served my digital source very well, Nordost Valhalla 2, has just been sent for repair, then the K1X came. I am using spare power cord with it now, Transparent PowerLink MM, but still sounded
As good as I described. I am sure once the Valhalla come back K1X will be even more detailed.IMG_9819.jpgIMG_9820.JPG

Toga

Last edited by TOGA; 02-07-2020 at 12:36 PM.
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  #2  
Old 02-07-2020, 12:34 PM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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Thank you TOGA..glad to hear you received your K1X and love it! Will you evetually add the power supply?
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  #3  
Old 02-07-2020, 12:41 PM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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Thanks, I like it even though it is not running with my favorite power cord, and it has only
3 hours of play.

Of course I will add PS1 one day, but I would like to use internal power supply that costs me
Money for a year before it is wasted by PS1. Clock ? Hmmm this is costly extra. I can live with Accuphase, Ayon, Luxman without way to add ext. clock. So I should with K1 without
Clock too.

Toga
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  #4  
Old 02-07-2020, 02:55 PM
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Masterlu Masterlu is online now
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Congrats Toga... you will gain more than you think by swapping the stock feet on your K1X to Ultra SS feet. Even using your Critical Mass Stand.
__________________
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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Old 02-07-2020, 03:22 PM
Bigdenis Bigdenis is offline
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Great toga, very happy for you.

On my side I don't know yet if I'm going to replace my K1 by a K1X, the extra cost being really important, to win what, I don't know yet.
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  #6  
Old 02-07-2020, 03:27 PM
Bigdenis Bigdenis is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterlu View Post
Congrats Toga... you will gain more than you think by swapping the stock feet on your K1X to Ultra SS feet. Even using your Critical Mass Stand.
I'll have to think about it for my K1.

Do you think it's a real plus even on a dedicated rack? ( Finite Elemente master reference for me )
Still to be found at a low price...
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  #7  
Old 02-07-2020, 03:34 PM
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Masterlu Masterlu is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigdenis View Post
I'll have to think about it for my K1.

Do you think it's a real plus even on a dedicated rack? ( Finite Elemente master reference for me )
Still to be found at a low price...
Huge difference using the Ultra SS feet. I replaced every single stock foot on all my Esoteric Grandioso gear, even though most are on HRS Racks/shelves.
__________________
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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  #8  
Old 02-07-2020, 03:47 PM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masterlu View Post
Congrats Toga... you will gain more than you think by swapping the stock feet on your K1X to Ultra SS feet. Even using your Critical Mass Stand.


Thanks Ivan, I remembered this, you have recommended
This to me once.

However, I might try Critical Mass Center Stage 2 0.8
As. I can source it more easily here.
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  #9  
Old 02-07-2020, 03:47 PM
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TOGA View Post
Thanks, I like it even though it is not running with my favorite power cord, and it has only
3 hours of play.

Of course I will add PS1 one day, but I would like to use internal power supply that costs me
Money for a year before it is wasted by PS1. Clock ? Hmmm this is costly extra. I can live with Accuphase, Ayon, Luxman without way to add ext. clock. So I should with K1 without
Clock too.

Toga
Don't underestimate the difference a clock can make. All of the esoteric external clocks outperform their internal clocks, as far as I know. I can tell you that it makes a nice difference on my system, which I couldn't hear very much at first but when I added some room treatments, I was able to reduce "smearing" to the point where turning the clock on and off is definitely noticeable.
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  #10  
Old 02-07-2020, 03:50 PM
TOGA TOGA is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigdenis View Post
Great toga, very happy for you.



On my side I don't know yet if I'm going to replace my K1 by a K1X, the extra cost being really important, to win what, I don't know yet.


You can be very happy with K1, trust me, I had K1 in
My system for a week before. It is still a very good
Player.
K1X ? I think it as a more elegant sound and may be
More liquid, juicy midrange.
By the way do you know there is upgrade kit for K1
to accept PS1 ext. power supply.

Toga
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