Review of K-01X

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by gaboudreaux

I really do not need to be reading this!

You're halfway there with the N10. Let me know if you ever want to hear the K-01X & G-01, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the KXR & MXR combo!

Dave

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

You're halfway there with the N10. Let me know if you ever want to hear the K-01X & G-01, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the KXR & MXR combo!

Dave

Wow Dave... only half way there with the N10? The N10 sounds fantastic, so can only imagine the impact of the K-01X. I would love to hear it! Where are you in Texas? You are more than welcome to listen to my Ayre gear too.

[Masterlu]

Ya' All don't be a stranger to the NE

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by gaboudreaux

Wow Dave... only half way there with the N10? The N10 sounds fantastic, so can only imagine the impact of the K-01X. I would love to hear it! Where are you in Texas? You are more than welcome to listen to my Ayre gear too.

Sorry, that didn't come across as intended. I was referring to the review and his comments about the N10 & K-01X as a stellar combo together. I'm in Houston as well near Beltway 8 & I-10. I've listened to the Ayre gear a few times and always loved the sound but I'm also seriously considering some Nagra equipment as well.

Dave

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Sorry, that didn't come across as intended. I was referring to the review and his comments about the N10 & K-01X as a stellar combo together. I'm in Houston as well near Beltway 8 & I-10. I've listened to the Ayre gear a few times and always loved the sound but I'm also seriously considering some Nagra equipment as well.

Dave

Oh by all means we should get together. I'm actually looking at a house very near you (off Kirkwood South of I-10), but currently living in Museum District. I just hooked up with another AA Member (Advanced101) a couple of weeks ago. Very nice guy and he has an awesome system! Been discussing analog path with him.

Back on topic... I've always been interested in the K-01X and K-03X. I'm struggling with going analog, getting a really good transport, or god forbid both! This hobby's going to have me living under a bridge soon

[aardvarkbark]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

....I've listened to the Ayre gear a few times and always loved the sound but I'm also seriously considering some Nagra equipment as well.

Dave

Be sure to try PASS too. I find it superior to Ayre with Esoteric source, B&W speakers and Transparent cabling.

[bmichels]

Very tempted by the Esoteric K-01, but....

Initially I intended to buy a NAGRA HD DAC + a lesser advanced CD-player since 80% of my listening will be High-Res music files, 19% Red-Book CDs ans 1%..SACDs, but... reading from the various reports from K-01x users, it seems that I could instead go for this 1 box Esoteric solution (CD + DAC).

This makes sense for me ONLY IF:

- The K-01x when used as a USB DAC is at the level of those high End external DACs, AND has a musicality/emotion close to the NAGRA HD DAC (and far from analytic like the dCS that I did not liked because I use a BHSE tube AMP and a STAX SR009 electrostatic headphone, a very precise and analytic set-up which do not tolerate a dry & non-musical source. This is why I liked a lot the NAGRA HD DAC (hybride tube DAC) which bring a lot of emotion and engagement into my music, while TotalDAC, DAVE and dCS Rossini only bring details but NO emotion ).

- The K-01x is also stellar with RedBooks CD, and not only with SACD (I almost have NO SACD, only CD).

so... is the Esoteric for me ? Or should I go NAGRA HD DAC + a CD player

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by aardvarkbark

Be sure to try PASS too. I find it superior to Ayre with Esoteric source, B&W speakers and Transparent cabling.

I've always been interested in PASS but I've never been able to hear a nice system powered by them. Houston has a few retailers but most don't have showrooms to demo equipment. There are a number of dealers showing B&W and McIntosh but not much else (at least that I know of). I'm really interested in the new Nagra Classic Pre and Power Amp and I've listened to Ayre with my speakers. This is a hunch but I suspect the Nagra will give me more of what I'm looking for for less money than the KX-R & MX-R combo. The Nagra Pre has started shipping so Ill hear it soon.

[bmichels]

SuperDave, do you use your K-01x only to spin CD/SACD or do you it also as a USB DAC to play high-Res music files from a Music server ? How do you consider the K-01x as a USB DAC ?

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by bmichels

SuperDave, do you use your K-01x only to spin CD/SACD or do you it also as a USB DAC to play high-Res music files from a Music server ? How do you consider the K-01x as a USB DAC ?

Its been a spinner since I bought it from Ivan. I went from an OPPO BDP-95 to the Esoteric. I believe the K-01X is the most significant upgrade I have made to my system along with the Aviors. I find it thoroughly detailed without sounding clinical and very musical. Keep in mind, many other variables are at play providing the sound I described. I may order an Aurender W20 in the next few days and I'm happy to let you know how it functions as a dac as soon as I've had some time with it. I've seen you post about the W20 before, did you ever get one?