Esoteric K-01X Review

[djwhog]

Dan not sure if you have time and maybe there is already a thread, but I am curious in all the differences in the transport section, power supplies, DACs and the overall advantage in play back of disc and streaming as it relates to the K01x Vs K03x in each area

If you could do a detailed thread comparing the two units or point to an existing thread I greatly appreciate it.

Again it really seems like reading your review of the K01x and all your comments it is like as huge a leap in performance as when, I read your review of your McIntosh C1000 preamp system was in terms of an upgrade.

Boy this really has me thinking about maybe upgrading from my K03 which I still love deeply!

Thanks Dan. Again huge congrats [emoji106]

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by bart

Dan, dangerous thing to say!

Bart.......The disclaimer is in the first two words, "Right now". .

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by djwhog

Dan not sure if you have time and maybe there is already a thread, but I am curious in all the differences in the transport section, power supplies, DACs and the overall advantage in play back of disc and streaming as it relates to the K01x Vs K03x in each area

If you could do a detailed thread comparing the two units or point to an existing thread I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks Dan. Again huge congrats [emoji106]

Dave.......I will see what I can come up with. Gotta tell you though, the K-01X rules the system.

[JMT350Z]

What a fantastic review Dan!! From the description of anticipation, to unboxing, to listening I could sense what you were describing. Well done!!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by JMT350Z

What a fantastic review Dan!! From the description of anticipation, to unboxing, to listening I could sense what you were describing. Well done!!

Jon.......Thank you. I appreciate you coming along for the ride.

[GreginNH1]

It would be interesting to have Ivan tell us how many K-01X units have been sold since this great review. I suspect quite a few!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by GreginNH1

It would be interesting to have Ivan tell us how many K-01X units have been sold since this great review. I suspect quite a few!

Greg.......Well, we know there's been at least one. .

My K01X is still playing 24/7 and now has accumulated 504 hours. I am still pretty sweet on the 4Fs upconversion and the SDLY2 digital filter settings. The 500+ hours break-in has yielded additional timbrel clarity, a deeper sense of realism, and an improved essence of life to all sounds. It is quite astonishing. I go into the studio with the intention of listening for a couple of hours and end up sitting in the sweet spot for four or five hours. I just can't seem to get enough.

[jdandy]

Last night at midnight I turned the Esoteric K-01X off for the first time since it was installed in the studio system. The break-in was continuous for 510 hours. During those hours the K-01X never sounded less than excellent even with only the first few hours on it. As the hours accumulated and the different upconversion and digital filters gained several hundred hours I gradually noticed an improvement in focus and clarity. This manifested itself in a richer sense of texture to musical instruments and voices. All sounds displayed a more three dimensional presence. Everything grew to resonate more life, more emotional engagement. What has been a surprise is how close the K-01X came to this current performance level right out of the box. Although the player/DAC has blossomed to a degree, and may continue to reveal additional pleasing nuances as more hours pass, the overall break-in has not seen a dramatic shift in the overall performance. From the first hours until late last night when I finely turned it off for the first time the K-01X has delivered something very desirable, a true quality of being deeply pleasingly. As the break-in progressed the K-01X never strayed from my initial impressions. What it has gained with hours is simply a larger helping of everything impressive that captured me in the first hours. The K-01X is a delightful, enchanting, and completely satisfying audio component. When the music is playing there isn't a thought in my head about the player, only the music. That pretty much says it all.

[aardvarkbark]

Called my Vegas 'investment advisor' today. Not too surprising, there's already fairly robust over/under betting lines on when you, Greg, (and the big one) you AND Greg, upgrade to K1.

Conventional thinking is that your track records indicate it's not a matter of if, but just when....

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by aardvarkbark

Called my Vegas 'investment advisor' today. Not too surprising, there's already fairly robust over/under betting lines on when you, Greg, (and the big one) you AND Greg, upgrade to K1.

Conventional thinking is that your track records indicate it's not a matter of if, but just when....

aardvarkbark.......Better hang on to your money. I am happy as a lark in the morning sunshine. The K-01X is here to stay.