Any Esoteric fans here?

hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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Hi,

I have a question : what power cable do you use with your Esoteric CD playe and what is the reference of the Cd player ?

Thanks
 

brodricj

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Mar 13, 2016
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The Esoteric are agnostic to power cords. Just use the power cord that shipped with the unit. I'm using Shunyata Alpha v2 NR with mine. Spend your money on something else, such as a master clock generator.

Reference of the CD player?? the question is not clear.
 
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Nemal1

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I use furutech 4.1 mains, but agree with Brodricj, buy a clock instead, big difference and upgrade, albeit at a cost, but there are alternatives available, but haven’t heard any so cannot comment further.
 
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infinitely baffled

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I use YBA copper mains cables. Mainly because it's what i have available.
I swear by grounding. I use Tripoint on my transport, and Entreq for my dac.
Entreq for my signal cables.

I've almost finished paying for my clock, so am very excited by everybody's view that it represents the biggest potential improvement.
 
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hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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The Esoteric are agnostic to power cords. Just use the power cord that shipped with the unit. I'm using Shunyata Alpha v2 NR with mine. Spend your money on something else, such as a master clock generator.

Reference of the CD player?? the question is not clear.
Sorry for my english...K-05 ? K-03XS ? Grandioso ?
Thanks
 

hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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The Esoteric are agnostic to power cords. Just use the power cord that shipped with the unit. I'm using Shunyata Alpha v2 NR with mine. Spend your money on something else, such as a master clock generator.

Reference of the CD player?? the question is not clear.
I use a Grimm CC1 clock.
 

hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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I use YBA copper mains cables. Mainly because it's what i have available.
I swear by grounding. I use Tripoint on my transport, and Entreq for my dac.
Entreq for my signal cables.

I've almost finished paying for my clock, so am very excited by everybody's view that it represents the biggest potential improvement.
Thanks.
 

hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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I use Hijiri Nagomi actually.
 

hongkongfoufou

Well-Known Member
Mar 3, 2018
473
203
148
I use YBA copper mains cables. Mainly because it's what i have available.
I swear by grounding. I use Tripoint on my transport, and Entreq for my dac.
Entreq for my signal cables.

I've almost finished paying for my clock, so am very excited by everybody's view that it represents the biggest potential improvement.
Interesting.
So you use the GND connection on your transport ?
Thanks
 

infinitely baffled

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Big Dog RJ

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Feb 2, 2012
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Like I've said before, this cables and accessories phenomenon is sometimes voodoo or science... such that at one point I wasn't a believer until I tried some top line stuff. So, until I actually did do home trials on my particular system, rather than at the dealers, I could better guage the differences.

The stock power cords supplied aren't too shabby at all, the unit works just fine! However, since I use a full Nordost loom, I had to wait a while to get the required length of power cord for the Esoteric digital gear. In the meantime that's when I started trying out the Odin Supreme reference series.

I must say, it was really hard to let them go after the trial period but I had no choice and didn't really want to divulge in that kind of spend. The Nordost Odin's are damn expensive! Now there's the Gold version 2 or something, which is even more interesting but way out of my league. The only dealer I know who carries this particular level does not lend out due to the risks associated. It's pretty much like lending a top tier Cartier diamond necklace... don't want that to go missing!

So at this stage, the power loom consists of Heimdall 2 power cords, Frey2 and Tyr2 cables, and that's good enough for me! I don't find it necessary to over indulge. Those damn Odin's however were mighty fine!

I suppose anyone with top of the line- SOTA gear, can afford such gear, in which case then might as well install only the best. The question is, how do you know which is best? What makes that one particular cable better than the other? Is it the cost, materials, prestige or is this all in our mindset...? I don't know but I guess if one particular brand/ type suits your particular system then just stick with that!

That's what I'm doing and just prefer to keep things simple and consistent. After all, it's playback of recorded music, it's certainly not live! Hence, no need to get carried away with 15grand and 30grand cables.

On another note: I did get the chance to try out the G01x clock (I think that's the model...) and that was superb! It met my benchmark in performance improvement, which is 40% or at least it was close to that. The clock alone is another 20grand... perhaps another time.

So, to answer your question on which power cord, I'm sure you'll find the one that you prefer... once you've identified the one, just stick with that and make sure everything else is consistent. I find the consistency in level and type of cables provides better synergy.
Just my 50cts worth.

Cheers, RJ
 
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hongkongfoufou

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I use a Shunyata Alpha V2 NR with my K-01XD. Having previously used an AQ Hurricane Source power cord with this SACD player, I do not agree that my player is agnostic r.e. the power cord used.
I have an obvious difference with my power cord.
 
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hongkongfoufou

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Mar 3, 2018
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Like I've said before, this cables and accessories phenomenon is sometimes voodoo or science... such that at one point I wasn't a believer until I tried some top line stuff. So, until I actually did do home trials on my particular system, rather than at the dealers, I could better guage the differences.

The stock power cords supplied aren't too shabby at all, the unit works just fine! However, since I use a full Nordost loom, I had to wait a while to get the required length of power cord for the Esoteric digital gear. In the meantime that's when I started trying out the Odin Supreme reference series.

I must say, it was really hard to let them go after the trial period but I had no choice and didn't really want to divulge in that kind of spend. The Nordost Odin's are damn expensive! Now there's the Gold version 2 or something, which is even more interesting but way out of my league. The only dealer I know who carries this particular level does not lend out due to the risks associated. It's pretty much like lending a top tier Cartier diamond necklace... don't want that to go missing!

So at this stage, the power loom consists of Heimdall 2 power cords, Frey2 and Tyr2 cables, and that's good enough for me! I don't find it necessary to over indulge. Those damn Odin's however were mighty fine!

I suppose anyone with top of the line- SOTA gear, can afford such gear, in which case then might as well install only the best. The question is, how do you know which is best? What makes that one particular cable better than the other? Is it the cost, materials, prestige or is this all in our mindset...? I don't know but I guess if one particular brand/ type suits your particular system then just stick with that!

That's what I'm doing and just prefer to keep things simple and consistent. After all, it's playback of recorded music, it's certainly not live! Hence, no need to get carried away with 15grand and 30grand cables.

On another note: I did get the chance to try out the G01x clock (I think that's the model...) and that was superb! It met my benchmark in performance improvement, which is 40% or at least it was close to that. The clock alone is another 20grand... perhaps another time.

So, to answer your question on which power cord, I'm sure you'll find the one that you prefer... once you've identified the one, just stick with that and make sure everything else is consistent. I find the consistency in level and type of cables provides better synergy.
Just my 50cts worth.

Cheers, RJ
Hi,

The question is, how do you know which is best?
The problem is not to have the best.

What makes that one particular cable better than the other?
None.
Why ?
It's depend the system and it depends on our musical tastes
For example, I don't like Nordost power cord...it's too analytical for me, but it is your choice and I respect it.


Is it the cost, materials, prestige or is this all in our mindset...?
I have test power cord at 800 euros, much worse than the original cords...LOL
 
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Big Dog RJ

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Attn: HK-ff

I was just giving you my experience with cables over 4 decades. Like I said, to me this is sometimes voodoo but also there's science behind it. I've used all sorts from, Chord, AQ, MIT, Monster, Van Den Hull, Audio Note, Cardas, Kimber, and now Nordost. All these cables were used in entirely different systems... so none of the parameters are ever the same.

Cables and accessories are highly system dependent, there's no such thing as one type fits all. Therefore, even to suggest which is best is extremely difficult.

My sincere advice, just look for the most neutral and uncoloured cables as possible. Nothing is 100% pure, they will always alter the sound in some way.. but I think you get my point.

If the one you're using is fine then just sit back and enjoy those fine tunes! I wouldn't stress...
Cheers, RJ
 

SCAudiophile

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Sep 11, 2010
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Esoteric includes well above the average stock power cords with all of their units that I have ever owned including various amps and pre-amps.
They are good quality and the units perform well with them.

For players and transports I have owned (going back to the early 2000s):

- P-0s transport and PSU
- DV-50S Universal Player
- UX-1 Limited Universal Player
- P-03U, D-03, G-0s clock and later G-03X clock
- P-02, D-02
- (current) Grandioso P1, P1-PSU and 2 D1 DACs

They all are definitely not agnostic to power cords and I have heard them react very well (improved sonics in many dimensions) to many power cords I have tried (not all). The following are what I have personally owned and in the case of the Elrod's and the Shunyata OMEGA still own,that provided a wide range of audibly better results:

Elrod Statement Gold
Elrod Masters Series Statement Gold
Elrod Masters Series Diamond and Diamond SE

Shunyata Alpha NR v2
Shunyata Sigma NR v2
Shunyata OMEGA QR-s

Please note I am in the US on 120V / 60 Hz power lines.

This is one of those areas where "YMMV" based upon many factors so it would not be surprising that for some it makes a much
bigger difference than for others.
 

wrxsti

New Member
Feb 3, 2023
4
1
3
45
Hi all

Anyone heard the N-05XD by any chance please. Iam considering a one box solution to step into streaming. The lumin P1 is also a contender. However the N-05XD could be used to better my K-01 playback with the addition of an external clock. So on functionality the N-05 XD has the edge. But I don't have an option to audition prior purchase. And there are not too many reviews out there. So any and all feedback will be most welcome. Thanks

Thanks and best regards
Mike Y
 

jfr

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2015
1
0
231
My Esoteric K1 Grandioso SACD player uses 4 power transformers , problem is they are cheap non shielded transformers. We did an A / B comparison before and after I wrapped the outside of each transformer with Mu metal. The sound improvement was dramatic , no more forward sounding, soundstage went way back and out. Much more dynamic. Also changed out the crappy IEC A/C power inlet to Furutech FI 09 NCF.
I’m looking at the Esoteric k1 Grandioso sacd.player. Can you tell me what the name of the MU material you used to wrap the transformers and how did you attach the MU material to the transformer. I have used the IEC Furtech FI 09 NCF and it’s a great piece.
Thanks for the info.
 

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