Anyone own the Aurender N10 music server?

[2fastdriving]

Dan has a k-03 like me. Non x. Yes they are all an Amazing value!

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by bmichels

jdandy, I am very interested to read that you use your Esoteric K-01x also as a USB DAC.

Indeed, I intended to buy a NAGRA HD DAC + a simple CD-player since 80% of my listening will be High-Res music files, 19% Red-Book CDs and 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).

but, 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 ).

- If 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 ? ( as USB DAC + a CD player ) ?

thanks for your advices

Yes absolutely!

[-E-]

Originally Posted by bmichels

jdandy, I am very interested to read that you use your Esoteric K-01x also as a USB DAC.

Indeed, I intended to buy a NAGRA HD DAC + a simple CD-player since 80% of my listening will be High-Res music files, 19% Red-Book CDs and 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).

but, 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 ).

- If 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 ? ( as USB DAC + a CD player ) ?

thanks for your advices

I'll be the third one to chime in here about the quality of the Esoteric K01X.

If you didn't need a spinner, though, look at the new D02X, which is a superior DAC. Same price as the K01x iirc.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by -E-

I'll be the third one to chime in here about the quality of the Esoteric K01X.

If you didn't need a spinner, though, look at the new D02X, which is a superior DAC. Same price as the K01x iirc.

Yup, same price

[bmichels]

Originally Posted by jdandy

bmichels.......In my opinion you cannot go wrong with the Esoteric K-01X. Although I own the Esoteic K-03, I could not be happier with the performance and involvement with music it delivers. The K-01X is truly the cream of the crop for a combination SACD/CD/DAC.

If you haven't read the Positive Feedback review of the Esoteric K-01X, here is the link. http://positive-feedback.com/reviews...acd-cd-player/

thanks for your answers and for the link to the review. I will test the K-01x with my amp+headphone in 10 days and I will report here.

I also will try to listen to the VITUS SCD-025 mk2 CD/DAC which is at the same price (anyone heard the VITUS?)