Esoteric K-01 vs K-01X

Thanks for the kind welcomes. Yes, I had the K-01 previously. I know it very well and am very familiar how it sounds. I am really just discovering today how good the X is as I have not really listened during the burn in process. I have not had a chance to try DSD files yet. Although I have a bunch of them, the X uses different drivers than does the 1 and I have to download them.

Not including video, I have all Esoteric electronics, YG Kipod II Signature speakers, Hifidelit music server with Paul Pang parts, Synergistic Research cables and power products, a pair of JL subs. That is just the quick description. My system is exceeding complex. For example, I have four speaker cables going into each speaker, multiple daisy-chained power conditioners, DSPearker sub correction unots, custo poe supplies for the DSPeaker units, Synergistic HFTs, FEQs, Acoustic Art, Enigma tube power supply and on and on. New racks coming on March 14!!!

I would also state that used, the K-01 is a great bargain. Thanks again for the welcome.
 
Audio8 said:
Thanks for the kind welcomes. Yes, I had the K-01 previously. I know it very well and am very familiar how it sounds. I am really just discovering today how good the X is as I have not really listened during the burn in process. I have not had a chance to try DSD files yet. Although I have a bunch of them, the X uses different drivers than does the 1 and I have to download them.

Not including video, I have all Esoteric electronics, YG Kipod II Signature speakers, Hifidelit music server with Paul Pang parts, Synergistic Research cables and power products, a pair of JL subs. That is just the quick description. My system is exceedingly complex. For example, I have four speaker cables going into each speaker, multiple daisy-chained power conditioners, DSPearker sub correction unots, custo poe supplies for the DSPeaker units, Synergistic HFTs, FEQs, Acoustic Art, Enigma tube power supply and on and on. New racks coming on March 14!!!

I would also state that used, the K-01 is a great bargain. Thanks again for the welcome.
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Thanks Audio8 for that information. You have a really fine system. The reason I asked is because I'm currently running the Esoteric K-01, Soulution 520 preamp, Soulution 501 mono amps and Raidho D3 speakers. I've been hoping to hear a review of the K-01X from someone who has previously had a K-01 in their system. The K-01X sounds like a worthwhile upgrade with some material improvements in sound quality. Maybe at some point in the future for me.

Thanks again,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Thanks Audio8 for that information. You have a really fine system. The reason I asked is because I'm currently running the Esoteric K-01, Soulution 520 preamp, Soulution 501 mono amps and Raidho D3 speakers. I've been hoping to hear a review of the K-01X from someone who has previously had a K-01 in their system. The K-01X sounds like a worthwhile upgrade with some material improvements in sound quality. Maybe at some point in the future for me.

Thanks again,
Ken
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Ken, you have a very fine system as well. I think that you will definitely appreciate the difference. In my system, the difference was not subtle. I have been listening this evening, and I was all smiles. So quiet, so real, so much more refined. Maybe because I was expecting a very subtle improvement from reading the forums and got much more than that. What are you using for cables and power BTW?
 
Audio8 said:
Ken, you have a very fine system as well. I think that you will definitely appreciate the difference. In my system, the difference was not subtle. I have been listening this evening, and I was all smiles. So quiet, so real, so much more refined. Maybe because I was expecting a very subtle improvement from reading the forums and got much more than that. What are you using for cables and power BTW?
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Thanks Audio8!

Cables are still under construction but when they're finished, ICs and SCs will all be Kimber Select and power cords will all be Audience AU-24SE. I also currently have the Audience AR6-TSS power conditioner and WW Platinum 7 USB cable, both of which I really like.

Ken
 
Great! Let me know how it goes please. I probably have another 100 hours on the K-01X to let it really reach its peak. Will let you know. After the new racks, my next step is a clock.
 
Audio8 said:
Great! Let me know how it goes please. I probably have another 100 hours on the K-01X to let it really reach its peak. Will let you know. After the new racks, my next step is a clock.
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Terrific! G-01 or G-02?
 
Audio8 said:
Stanford Research Perf 10.
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I've heard this uses the same rubidium oscillator as the Esoteric G-01. Do you just connect the Stanford Research Perf 10 to your K-01/K-01X via a BNC cable to one of its 10 MHz outputs or do you need additional hardware to make it work?

Thanks,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
I've heard this uses the same rubidium oscillator as the Esoteric G-01. Do you just connect the Stanford Research Perf 10 to your K-01/K-01X via a BNC cable to one of its 10 MHz outputs or do you need additional hardware to make it work?

Thanks,
Ken
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I believe you can connect it with nothing additional required. But, I am not 100% certain. Yes, you use a BNC cable. I am going to give SR a call, probably in a few months from now and see. I don't think the G-02 would add much to the X (or the 1 for that matter). I am sure the G0-1 is better for a variety of reasons, but for the money, seems like you cannot beat the Perf 10.

If I get the same level of improvement from the clock as I did with the X, I will be very happy.
 
Audio8 said:
I believe you can connect it with nothing additional required. But, I am not 100% certain. Yes, you use a BNC cable. I am going to give SR a call, probably in a few months from now and see. I don't think the G-02 would add much to the X (or the 1 for that matter). I am sure the G0-1 is better for a variety of reasons, but for the money, seems like you cannot beat the Perf 10.

If I get the same level of improvement from the clock as I did with the X, I will be very happy.
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Hi Audio8,

Based on the conversations I've had with owners of the G-01, if the Stanford Research Perf. 10 delivers performance anywhere close to the G-01 (which I think it should because it has the same rubidium core oscillator), you will hear a substantial improvement in sound quality on your K-01X.

A gentleman on Audio Shark named Laurent states that even the G-02 makes a material difference with his K-01X:

"Back to fun: Regarding the K-01X + G-02... Yes, it's purely amazing how much better the K-01X sounds when synchronized with the G-02. I tested the G-02 first with a K-03X. To be honnest, I see very few differences between a K-03X + G-02 and a K-01X with no external clock. If I try to measure how much the G-02 improves the system, I would say the following:
1. K-03X = 1
2. K-03X + G-02 = 1.3
3. K-01X = 1.4
4. K-01X + G-02 = 1.7"

Best,
Ken
 
Have any of the Esoteric owners compared their players to the new T+A PDP 3000 HV?

http://www.stereophile.com/content/ta-pdp-3000-hv-cdsacd-player-dsdpcm-dac

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732421761573295f52b3e862dda71910.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Alpinist said:
What sort of changes?
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Distribution and Management/Ownership (now Integra). The Integra network is not built around high end two channel, but rather more home theater.

I'm not just looking at it from a personal purchase standpoint, but also a potential brand to add.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks ken. Tim Crable, formerly of Esoteric told me that the real improvement in the K-01 would be seen with the G-01. I am not surprised if there is a decent improvement with he G-02 as well.

As far as the new distributor for Esoteric, seems the company is in good hands. The guys at the Onkyo USA know as much about high end audio as anyone. As evidenced by the new Grandioso line, I don't think there is that much to worry about with Esoteric.
 
Audio8 said:
Thanks ken. Tim Crable, formerly of Esoteric told me that the real improvement in the K-01 would be seen with the G-01. I am not surprised if there is a decent improvement with he G-02 as well.

As far as the new distributor for Esoteric, seems the company is in good hands. The guys at the Onkyo USA know as much about high end audio as anyone. As evidenced by the new Grandioso line, I don't think there is that much to worry about with Esoteric.
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Hi Audio8,

I agree with you. I think Onkyo USA should be good stewards of the Esoteric brand and will let them continue to do what they do best unimpeded.

Ken
 
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