I am now a happy K-01X owner!
- Thread starter Sharp 1080
- Start date
Thanks Zephyr24069, that is good to know. I was wondering when the magical number would be obtained.
Hello! I don't know if that's the official magic number per se but it is the timeframe where's I've heard these units come out and open up substantially.
BTW....I have HRS Damping Plates on my whole setup now. Definitely love what they do for the system!!!
Congratulations SCAudiophile! They are indeed a nice addition to one's system.
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 K-01x (with a G2 clock may be) for me ?
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 K-01x (with a G2 clock may be) for me ?
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I have demoed the Lampi big 7 against 2 K01s, one with the clock, and it beat them easily. The owners preferred it as well. I have compared my GG to the K01x and the K01 with the clock. The clock guy is planning to move to the Lampi when funds become available - though his planned kid is making him sweat about valves.
I would rather do a shootout of Lampi with Nagra (planned in Jan) and Tdac 12 rather than Esoteric or dCS. Or, if you have that money, Aries Cerat.
I would rather do a shootout of Lampi with Nagra (planned in Jan) and Tdac 12 rather than Esoteric or dCS. Or, if you have that money, Aries Cerat.
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 K-01x (with a G2 clock may be) for me ?
I've heard Esoterics (I own a K-03), DCS and TotalDAC on completely different systems and they all sounded quite detailed and neutral. They also have somewhat of their own house sound. If you're looking for that tubey quality which some describe as emotion, warmth or analog - like, I get the attraction to a Lampi or Nagra, but to me it's not natural or neutral - it's flavored.
I'd rather have the most neutral DAC and tune to my subjective taste via a pre amp and/or amp rather than muck with the source component. But that's just me
I've heard Esoterics (I own a K-03), DCS and TotalDAC on completely different systems and they all sounded quite detailed and neutral. They also have somewhat of their own house sound. If you're looking for that tubey quality which some describe as emotion, warmth or analog - like, I get the attraction to a Lampi or Nagra, but to me it's not natural or neutral - it's flavored.
I'd rather have the most neutral DAC and tune to my subjective taste via a pre amp and/or amp rather than muck with the source component. But that's just me
Which big 7 or GG (what tube configuration) did you compare with to use the terms coloured?
You may be right
I will test in 10 days the K-01x with my amp+headphone, and I will report here my listening impressions.I also will try to listen to the VITUS SCD-025 mk2 CD/DAC which is at the same price (anyone heard the VITUS?)
You may be right
I also will try to listen to the VITUS SCD-025 mk2 CD/DAC which is at the same price (anyone heard the VITUS?)
It's 3 of us who did the compares that are right
. Iheard the Vitus RD 100 which was blown away by metronome. Btw I am a big Vitus class A power amp fan but two others have told me their digital does not match. Check with jazzhead too, he owns the Vitus Class A ano and has experience with their digital
And that too the Vitus dac's built in pre was feeding a Vitus amp, and the metronome was then plugged into the Vitus pre out
You may be right
I also will try to listen to the VITUS SCD-025 mk2 CD/DAC which is at the same price (anyone heard the VITUS?)
You also might want to check with Joel on this forum, who is also a 6 moon reviewer, and whom I find very unbiased, why he prefers his Lumin much more to the K03 that he owns
Yes because same discussion points came up on the other site too.
When did I ever state I heard a Lampizator DAC? I have heard tube DACs and all exhibit that tubey warmth which if I'm so inclined I'd get from an amp or a preamp. I'd rather keep my source as neutral as possible. To each his own...
Also, I've heard TotalDAC, DCS, Aries, MSB, Meitner, Esoteric and others - all excellent and all different. Barring any budget my $ would be spent on the TotalDAC.
In that group, I haven't heard the Aries, but yes, I too would spend on total dac in that group
Sharp1080: Congratulations on your new K-01X! +1 on the vote for discussions of other gear to be on another thread. Don't get me wrong, what's on the thread is valuable feedback but this is not a comparative thread. Enjoy your new player!
Utilizo tres placas HRS DPII-14545, de esta manera me queda casi el 100% de la tapa superior de mi Esoteric K01 LE, que de ahora en adelante les cuento que es 100% metal, nada de plástico
I use three HRS DPII-14545 plates, in this way I have almost 100% of the top cover of my Esoteric K01 LE left, which from now on I tell you that it is 100% metal, no plastic
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