Impressive first listen - Esoteric K01XD

**brodricj** · December 3, 2023, 04:26 AM

K1X-SE is the top dog Esoteric player. And you can make it even better with PS1 and an external clock. If I had my time over again that is what I would do, instead of the D1X/P1X combo.

**felipe91** · December 3, 2023, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

K1X-SE is the top dog Esoteric player. And you can make it even better with PS1 and an external clock. If I had my time over again that is what I would do, instead of the D1X/P1X combo.

Hello
thank you. You're talking about Grandioso K1X SE i think.
yes it's the best of esoteric CD player, but above my budget...

**brodricj** · December 3, 2023, 05:25 AM

In that case, I think K-01XD will be 2nd top dog, above any of the other players you mentioned.

**felipe91** · December 3, 2023, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

In that case, I think K-01XD will be 2nd top dog, above any of the other players you mentioned.

Thank you. Do you have an idea of the break-in duration for K01XD? 500 hours ?

**brodricj** · December 3, 2023, 06:28 AM

I have no idea. Whilst I own many Esoteric products break-in duration is not something I take much notice of. They all sound great the moment you first plug them in.

**mxk116** · December 3, 2023, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by felipe91

Thank you. Do you have an idea of the break-in duration for K01XD? 500 hours ?

While I agree with brodricj that Esoteric products sound good from first listen, my K-01XD took ~ 200 hours to completely reveal its full potential.

**Ritmo** · December 3, 2023, 09:26 PM

200 or 500 or somewhere in between, the Esoteric DAC sound has evolved over the last few years to be among the best in the industry. I wouldn’t make a purchase decision based on a few hundred hours of break in. Esoteric’s disc drive, DAC and overall quality is among the best in the industry.

**SCAudiophile** · December 4, 2023, 08:26 AM

They do all sound extremely good from first listen. Putting another 250-350 hours on them continues to improve them without a doubt. Also, if you regularly turn gear off nightly / when not listening, it takes a few hours for them to come back to their best after cold shutdown periods.

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**jlchen** · December 5, 2023, 12:47 AM

I have replaced my K01XD with the K1X, and my clock now is the Cybershaft OP21A. The combination of these two are excellent.

Julian

**gadawg** · December 5, 2023, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by jlchen

I have replaced my K01XD with the K1X, and my clock now is the Cybershaft OP21A. The combination of these two are excellent.

Julian

Can you describe the major sonic benefit of going from the K-01XD to the K1X? I have an older D-02X and am considering upgrading to the D1XSE and wondering what I might expect? Looking at other brands also while I'm at it.

Thanks

George

**brodricj** · December 5, 2023, 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by jlchen

I have replaced my K01XD with the K1X, and my clock now is the Cybershaft OP21A. The combination of these two are excellent.

Yes, I think the Cybershaft performance is on par with the Grandioso G1X but at a much cheaper price point. You still have an upgrade path with K1X to make it even better. I know Mike was impressed when he added PS1 to his K1X. And the -SE VUK upgrade should be available for K1X soon.

**jlchen** · December 5, 2023, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

They do all sound extremely good from first listen. Putting another 250-350 hours on them continues to improve them without a doubt. Also, if you regularly turn gear off nightly / when not listening, it takes a few hours for them to come back to their best after cold shutdown periods.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Agree. I keep my Cybershaft clock and Boulder 2110 on all the time.

**brodricj** · December 5, 2023, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by gadawg

...Looking at other brands also while I'm at it.

For the money D1XSE would be hard to beat. The top dog MSB Select II is about twice the price of the Esoteric. I've heard Select II and it's excellent. But the Esoteric smokes it from a price/performance standpoint.

**jlchen** · December 5, 2023, 01:18 AM

At the time I replaced my K01XD with the K1X, frankly I didn't detect any difference initially. However, after I upgraded the clock from OP19 to OP21A and let the new clock fully warmed up for 1 month. I believe the new combination can give me a huge soundstage and incredible dynamics that I never experienced from my system before.

**brodricj** · December 5, 2023, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by jlchen

...However, after I upgraded the clock from OP19 to OP21A and let the new clock fully warmed up for 1 month.

I turn my G02X off. From a cold start it takes about 15 minutes for sonic glory to arrive. Perhaps I should enable the pre-heat function, but to me it doesn't really matter. Just as break-in period doesn't matter. It is what it is and I'm happy to wait for the thing to reach optimum stability as it warms up. What is really important is the clock cable. When I upgraded to the Shunyata Sigma v1 Clock-50 made a day vs night difference. I would like to borrow an Omega Clock-50 to compare against the Sigma, but truth be told the 10 MHz clock is only used to synchronize the Esoteric transport and DAC. The clock is not used when unclocked digital sources are used. And bearing in mind I don't spin physical discs very often the investment in clocks and clock cable upgrades can't be economically justified.

p.s. I heard a rumor that a new Grandioso F1X Integrated amplifier is on the way (replacement for the discontinued Grandioso F1).

**felipe91** · December 5, 2023, 06:52 PM

Hello,

is Esoteric Grandioso K1 (version before K1X) better than K01-XD?

thank you

**brodricj** · December 5, 2023, 08:11 PM

So much new technology went into K-01XD that K1 doesn't have I suspect K-01XD would be the better performer. Certainly on paper. But I've never read that comparison before. The K1 has the AK4497 DAC chipset, same as N-01 which I am familiar with. I thought it was outstanding. But the Master Sound Discrete DAC hardware, which I am familiar with in D1X, is next level over the AKM chipset products.

**felipe91** · December 6, 2023, 09:48 AM

thank you very much brodricj (and to the others) for your interesting answers.

**thyname** · December 9, 2023, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by felipe91

Hello,

is Esoteric Grandioso K1 (version before K1X) better than K01-XD?

thank you

No

**felipe91** · December 10, 2023, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by thyname

No

Hello,
thank you . Did you compare/listen Esoteric Grandioso K1 (version before K1X) vs K01-XD?
what are the differences?

**felipe91** · December 12, 2023, 09:58 AM

Hello,

I read a review on highfidelity.pl (Mr. WOJCIECH PACUŁA from Poland).

At the end/summary of the review of the K01-XD:

“Its character could be best compared to a high-class turntable, but with a better gradation of gray, with less "analogue" sound, in the sense that it is not as "made" as on vinyl records - and let me remind you that a vinyl record is only an approximation of what is on the "master" tapes. There is a very low bass and a precise high treble in this sound, but we will notice it only when we are looking for it. Without it, the sound seems simply complete and natural, there is no separate "treble" or "bass" in it.

his is literally one of the best-sounding and best-built digital players that I have heard in my life. It is also so different from the other devices mentioned above that it will be easy to decide if it is "your" sound - because it is a sound shaped in a specific way, different than that of all the aforementioned sound sources. And yet it is not the most expensive source of this manufacturer! A unique product from an exceptional company. ■ »

The conclusion is very good of course.
What do you think about this summary?
Do you agree with “very low bass”? “sound shaped in a specific way”? what kind of specific way?
"And the most important thing is that it sounds in "its own" way, different from all the best one-piece CD/SACD players I have heard."?
"it makes it easier to listen to music recorded in less than optimal quality"?
"This is one of the warmest sounding digital sources I know"?
is it neutral?

Philippe

**brodricj** · December 14, 2023, 12:30 AM

Firstly, the reviewer is plainly wrong about K01-XD being the most expensive source from Esoteric. The Grandioso player is significantly more expensive. He's right about it being the best built digital player. The comments about its character being best compared to a high-class turntable, I think that is utter rubbish. I haven't heard a turntable character anywhere like an Esoteric digital source. Perhaps something got messed up in the translation. Or maybe the reviewer was padding it out for words. I wouldn't describe the Esoteric digital source sound being shaped in any specific way. The migration from AKM to FPGA microprocessors in Esoteric players produced another flavor of good. The algorithms Esoteric put into the FPGA's can certainly shape the sound in any way it wants. I had no criticism of the AKM DAC sound. Shaping of sound is far more at the mercy on the speakers, then the pre-amp, then the power amp. Cables have a bit to do with it also, but less so. I enjoyed the sound of my N-01. I enjoy the sound of my D1X. I don't really have a preference for one over the other. I have never found a quality source to make it easier to listen to music recorded in less than optimal quality. I lean in the other direction, the quality source is inclined to expose flaws in the recorded music that diminish the listening experience.

**felipe91** · December 14, 2023, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

Firstly, the reviewer is plainly wrong about K01-XD being the most expensive source from Esoteric. The Grandioso player is significantly more expensive. He's right about it being the best built digital player. The comments about its character being best compared to a high-class turntable, I think that is utter rubbish. I haven't heard a turntable character anywhere like an Esoteric digital source. Perhaps something got messed up in the translation. Or maybe the reviewer was padding it out for words. I wouldn't describe the Esoteric digital source sound being shaped in any specific way. The migration from AKM to FPGA microprocessors in Esoteric players produced another flavor of good. The algorithms Esoteric put into the FPGA's can certainly shape the sound in any way it wants. I had no criticism of the AKM DAC sound. Shaping of sound is far more at the mercy on the speakers, then the pre-amp, then the power amp. Cables have a bit to do with it also, but less so. I enjoyed the sound of my N-01. I enjoy the sound of my D1X. I don't really have a preference for one over the other. I have never found a quality source to make it easier to listen to music recorded in less than optimal quality. I lean in the other direction, the quality source is inclined to expose flaws in the recorded music that diminish the listening experience.

Thank you!
just another question: for the transportation (by a professionnal ) from another country , do you think it's necessary to put the original packaging/K01XD on a pallet (to avoid any damage , mechanics/drawer is probably fragile) ?

**mxk116** · December 14, 2023, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by felipe91

Thank you!
just another question: for the transportation (by a professionnal ) from another country , do you think it's necessary to put the original packaging/K01XD on a pallet (to avoid any damage , mechanics/drawer is probably fragile) ?

If by “professional” you mean professional shipping company, that question is easily answered; yes.

**felipe91** · December 14, 2023, 06:30 PM

Yes, an ESOTERIC dealer proposed me to ship a K01XD using DHL/UPS etc... in its original packaging but not on a palet, explaining that he had already shipped all over the world this kind of heavy device this way without any complaint from customer... i think its more practical for him to do like that, but i was not convinced ...

Maybe it's acceptable for an amp, or a preamp, but not for such a CD player (even if there is probably a device to lock the drawer)

**Mike** · December 14, 2023, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by felipe91

Yes, an ESOTERIC dealer proposed me to ship a K01XD using DHL/UPS etc... in its original packaging but not on a palet, explaining that he had already shipped all over the world this kind of heavy device this way without any complaint from customer... i think its more practical for him to do like that, but i was not convinced ...

Maybe it's acceptable for an amp, or a preamp, but not for such a CD player (even if there is probably a device to lock the drawer)

That person is clueless. CD players must be shipped freight. Why? UPS, Fedex, etc have sorting stations which “tumble” the packages. Terrible for a CD mechanism.

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**brodricj** · December 15, 2023, 06:13 AM

I agree with Mike. Everything that comes to me from Esoteric arrives on a pallet. If it's on a pallet it's not going to be tumbled on a ramp on a sorting machine. But being on a pallet does expose the risk of driver error and the factory box being penetrated by a forklift tang, which happened to me.

**MichaelsMinute** · December 15, 2023, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

That person is clueless. CD players must be shipped freight. Why? UPS, Fedex, etc have sorting stations which “tumble” the packages. Terrible for a CD mechanism.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Sounds like that dealer is just trying to save a few bucks on shipping by not shipping it the right way.

**brodricj** · December 15, 2023, 08:30 AM

Dealers always pass on shipping charges to customers, or price shipping into the purchase price, no? No harm in them offering to ship it UPS/FedEx, but for a disc player I would insist on shipping on the pallet whoever carried it. I don't mind the extra charges for freight.

**MichaelsMinute** · December 15, 2023, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

Dealers always pass on shipping charges to customers, or price shipping into the purchase price, no? No harm in them offering to ship it UPS/FedEx, but for a disc player I would insist on shipping on the pallet whoever carried it. I don't mind the extra charges for freight.

No. Many dealers here in the US include it free in the price. So if they save $$ on shipping then they put more money in their pocket.

**brodricj** · December 15, 2023, 08:48 AM

I've never been quoted shipping, shipping is always built into the purchase price. The stuff always arrives on a pallet. If it gets damaged during shipping it's not the buyers problem, it's the dealers problem to sort out. Goods purchased must arrive in good order, and the dealer wears the responsibility for that.

**MichaelsMinute** · December 15, 2023, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by brodricj

I've never been quoted shipping, shipping is always built into the purchase price. The stuff always arrives on a pallet. If it gets damaged during shipping it's not the buyers problem, it's the dealers problem to sort out. Goods purchased must arrive in good order, and the dealer wears the responsibility for that.

hi - I don't know what you are trying to say or what that adds to my point. Maybe it's your accent?

**felipe91** · December 15, 2023, 01:07 PM

Yes, that's also my opinion: the K01 must arrive on a pallet. Mad dealer!

**felipe91** · January 21, 2024, 06:20 AM

Hello,

Finally, i'm thinking about buying a Grandioso K1X instead of K01XD

Is the powercord very good or is it a basic cable?

before listening is it necessary to wait for long hours (pre warming) or is the unit at 80% of its best relatively quickly (after 30 minutes warming)?

thank you

**GSOphile** · January 21, 2024, 11:02 AM

I have a K-01XD, my second Esoteric player. You should plan on using a good aftermarket power cord - makes a significant difference (I use Shunyata Alpha V2 NR).
I leave my unit powered on all the time except when I won't be using it for days or there are thunderstorms in the area. The power draw is very low.

**felipe91** · January 23, 2024, 02:47 PM

Thank you GSOphilie.

Yes shunyata powercords, among others, are very good. I will connect an after market cable on my future K1X.

**brodricj** · January 26, 2024, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by felipe91

Yes shunyata powercords, among others, are very good. I will connect an after market cable on my future K1X.

TCC have 20% off MSRP on Alpha and Sigma PC this weekend.

**felipe91** · May 11, 2024, 07:24 PM

Hello,

concerning the K01XD, when was is commercialized/sold to customers? Beginning 2020?
what were the first S/N 00190XXX? 0020XXX?

PS: I don't need your own S/N

.i ask a question because i bought the SN 00190016 which was supposed to be recent/from 2023 (according to the dealer ) but i have some doubts with this number 0019..

thank you

philippe

**GSOphile** · May 11, 2024, 08:32 PM

I have an early K-01XD: S/N 130001.

**SCAudiophile** · May 12, 2024, 07:14 AM

Esoteric serial numbers don't contain the year and all neatly fall in that type of range as you give in your example. Based on seeing various examples of various models over the years, I believe (and could be corrected) they vary by both model and power designation, so the prefix digits will vary.

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**felipe91** · May 12, 2024, 07:16 AM

hello,
thank you!
i thought that the 2 first digits were correponding to the year of manufacture.
a guy told me that its SN 210XXX was bought end of 2021.

i will contact esoteric to understand .

**SCAudiophile** · May 12, 2024, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by GSOphile

I have an early K-01XD: S/N 130001.

There's a 2023 unit up for sale now in the US from a reliable source whose number is '100001', so apparently, 10xxxx is also valid.

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**felipe91** · May 12, 2024, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Esoteric serial numbers don't contain the year and all neatly fall in that type of range as you give in your example. Based on seeing various examples of various models over the years, I believe (and could be corrected) they vary by both model and power designation, so the prefix digits will vary.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

OK THANK YOU. will contact esoteric, it's the best thing to do.

**SCAudiophile** · May 12, 2024, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by felipe91

hello,
thank you!
i thought that the 2 first digits were correponding to the year of manufacture.
a guy told me that its SN 210XXX was bought end of 2021.

i will contact esoteric to understand .

I've owned many generations of Esoteric equipment; 2 players (DV-50S, UX-1 Limited), 1 transport (P-0s), 3 transport+DAC combos (P03U/D03, P02/D02, Grandioso P1/D1), 3 preamps (C-03, C-02, C-02X) and 2 amp models (A-02, S-02). I don't recall ever seeing that year-based pattern; if they used that for all, there would be SN clashes across multiple ranges I would surmise. A good case in point is my two S-02 amps, having SNs '309xxx' and '302xxx'. The amps were bought from the same authorized dealer (same manufacturing year) and have quite different numbers. Those clearly were not built in 2030.

I know of a person with a P-02 with a 5-digit SN '20xxx' (It was a 100V Japan unit). Also clearly does not fit the pattern as it could not have been built in 2020.

Your best action is to connect with Esoteric to verify the SN of your unit.

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**brodricj** · May 12, 2024, 08:39 AM

Some of mine start with 240xxxx and they were not built in 2024. And whilst it is a 240 volt model I also have others that are 200xxxx that are 240 volt model but definitely not built in 2020.

**SCAudiophile** · May 12, 2024, 10:58 AM

Yes, they are clearly coded in some way.

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**felipe91** · May 12, 2024, 12:37 PM

Thank you all!

if i get an explaination from esoteric france i will give you!

Maybe some digits also depend on the continent where it is exported, the country...etc

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