Esoteric K-01 vs K-01X

The SRS PERF-10 has been running for several days now. So far it is powered by the integrated SMPS on AC from a Signal DU-5 balanced transformer. A Hynes 12V linear supply should arrive next week. Cable is Nordost Silver Shadow 75 ohm BNC.

This is a substantial improvement to K-01X in every area-- less digital smearing, more resolving across FR, treble more delineated and refined, shapelier bass, increased embodiment, spatiality in spades, calmer background.

You'd have to pry this one from my cold dead hands...
 
Congrats David! I am totally envious. I hope to get a rubidium master clock for my K-01 at some point. Please give us more feedback on the performance when you add the power supply.

Best,
Ken
 
Thanks, Ken. I just posted my results the with Hynes PS on the Esoteric clock vs. SRS Perf 10 thread.

Regards,

Dave
 
Well, I bit the bullet and I'm upgrading from the Esoteric K-01 to the K-01X Digital Player. I should receive it in a few weeks. There are several reasons I decided to make this upgrade. The ability to play DSD files up to 5.6 MHz and PCM files up to 384 kHz with 8 times oversampling, an increased D/A processing rate from 32 bit to 35 bit and a redesigned output buffer circuit based on the Grandioso.

I've spoken to a number of people who made this upgrade and all agree there is a substantial improvement over the K-01 with much better imaging and a more refined sound. I have always loved the sonic signature of the K-01, so this upgrade is really a no brainer. Both the K-01 and K-01X provide tremendous linearity, midrange musical density, detail and nuance, treble extension, bass impact and dynamics. I will eventually add the G-01 master clock, which will provide additional improvement in sound quality and realism.

If anyone is interested in purchasing my K-01 (mint condition, less than two years old and very low transport hours), just send me a message and I'll provide details.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Hi Ken...seems once again we have more in common...

I had a K-01 and a K-03. I sold my K-03 and bought a K-01X. So now I have a K-01 and K-01X. I really have not evaluated the DSD (I own a Lampi Golden Gate) but I love the sound quality. The K-01 remains a top performer. Is there a difference? Sure. I love the K-01X. It's as good as it gets for me. BUT... If I had to do it over again I might just have added the G-01 clock to the K-01. For me, it'd all come down to what you manage to sell the K-01 for...if you get a good value then upgrading to the K-01X is a "no brainer". If however you are shelling out big bucks to make the leap, think hard. I only say this because I have both and the K-01 still remains at the top of its game. All the best...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi Andy,

I'm not too concerned because the K-01 really retains its value for the reason you said, it still remains a top performer, plus it can be upgraded. By the way, what type of system do you have?

Ken
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Hi Ken...seems once again we have more in common...

I had a K-01 and a K-03. I sold my K-03 and bought a K-01X. So now I have a K-01 and K-01X. I really have not evaluated the DSD (I own a Lampi Golden Gate) but I love the sound quality. The K-01 remains a top performer. Is there a difference? Sure. I love the K-01X. It's as good as it gets for me. BUT... If I had to do it over again I might just have added the G-01 clock to the K-01. For me, it'd all come down to what you manage to sell the K-01 for...if you get a good value then upgrading to the K-01X is a "no brainer". If however you are shelling out big bucks to make the leap, think hard. I only say this because I have both and the K-01 still remains at the top of its game. All the best...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,

I want to maximize the performance of my digital player before I make the move to purchase the G-01 master clock. I also thought of purchasing the G-01 first and adding it to my K-01 but decided against it. What's the rest of the system you are running over there? Based on your sources, it must be outstanding. My system is currently K-01, Soulution 520 preamp, Soulution 501 mono amps and Raidho D3 with Kimber Select analog cables, Audience AU24SE power cables and Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable.

All the best,
Ken
 
Hi Ken... Wow...you have some spectacular gear! Great system indeed!

My reference system is as follows:

Pass Labs XP-30 preamp
Lampizator Golden Gate DAC
Esoteric K-01X
Aurender N100H
Hegel H30 amp
Cary Audio 211 FE monoblocks
Audience TSSD Power Conditioner
Ansuz and VooDoo power cords
Nordost Valhalla 1 Interconnects
Raidho D3
Bespoke Dana Cable Speaker Cable
Kimber Gold USB cable



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Hi Ken... Wow...you have some spectacular gear! Great system indeed!

My reference system is as follows:

Pass Labs XP-30 preamp
Lampizator Golden Gate DAC
Esoteric K-01X
Aurender N100H
Hegel H30 amp
Cary Audio 211 FE monoblocks
Audience TSSD Power Conditioner
Ansuz and VooDoo power cords
Nordost Valhalla 1 Interconnects
Raidho D3
Bespoke Dana Cable Speaker Cable
Kimber Gold USB cable



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Hi Andy,

You have an amazing reference system! The Pass XP-30 is one of my all-time favorite preamps and the Cary 211 FE are some sweet sounding monoblocks. I also like your taste in speakers! ;)

Ken
 
Very kind of you Ken! That's so nice of you to say. Like yourself and many others here I've worked hard to refine the system. So glad you approve of my gear! Yours is even nicer!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Very kind of you Ken! That's so nice of you to say. Like yourself and many others here I've worked hard to refine the system. So glad you approve of my gear! Yours is even nicer!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy! My gear isn't any nicer, just a different flavor.

Ken
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Hi Ken... Wow...you have some spectacular gear! Great system indeed!

My reference system is as follows:

Pass Labs XP-30 preamp
Lampizator Golden Gate DAC
Esoteric K-01X
Aurender N100H
Hegel H30 amp
Cary Audio 211 FE monoblocks
Audience TSSD Power Conditioner
Ansuz and VooDoo power cords
Nordost Valhalla 1 Interconnects
Raidho D3
Bespoke Dana Cable Speaker Cable
Kimber Gold USB cable



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

that is a very impressive system. Congratulation.

How will you compare the Golden DAC to the "internal DAC" of the ESOTERIC K-01x ? Have you tried playing your Aurender direct into the esoteric k-01x internal DAC ?
 
Very kind of you...thank you! The two dacs are completely different. The Esoteric's is accurate and sounds great. The Golden Gate captures the "soul" of the music whereas the Esoteric reproduces it. The Golden Gate enables you to feel the music not just hear it. No, I have yet to try plugging the Aurender straight into the K-01X. If I do, I'll report back. Not sure I'd really want to with the Golden Gate on hand... Thanks again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Very kind of you...thank you! The two dacs are completely different. The Esoteric's is accurate and sounds great. The Golden Gate captures the "soul" of the music whereas the Esoteric reproduces it. The Golden Gate enables you to feel the music not just hear it. No, I have yet to try plugging the Aurender straight into the K-01X. If I do, I'll report back. Not sure I'd really want to with the Golden Gate on hand... Thanks again


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


thanks for your reply.
`
And can you tell me: when you read CD/SACD with the K-01, do you use the K-01 internal DAC or do you output the K-01 digital out into the Golden gate ?
 
bmichels said:
thanks for your reply.
`
And can you tell me: when you read CD/SACD with the K-01, do you use the K-01 internal DAC or do you output the K-01 digital out into the Golden gate ?
Click to expand...

The K-01 transport can output CD to another DAC. However, SACD will only work on the K-01 DAC due to copyright protection. The same goes for K-01X, K-03, K-03X, etc. The K-01/K-01X performance shoots up when you add the G-01 master clock.

Best,
Ken
 
Interesting thread as I was curious on the x vs original K-01 differences.

I have a K-01 and use it as both DAC for my 3 TB Hi Rez collection, and SACD/CD disc player.

Seems like the better immediate upgrade is a clock.

Is the G-01 a much bigger improvement over the G-ORB for a K-01?
 
mallen123 said:
Interesting thread as I was curious on the x vs original K-01 differences.

I have a K-01 and use it as both DAC for my 3 TB Hi Rez collection, and SACD/CD disc player.

Seems like the better immediate upgrade is a clock.

Is the G-01 a much bigger improvement over the G-ORB for a K-01?
Click to expand...

If it was me, I would make the move to the K-01x and add a clock later. The K-01 to K-01x is a bigger upgrade than adding a clock to the K-01 IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
If it was me, I would make the move to the K-01x and add a clock later. The K-01 to K-01x is a bigger upgrade than adding a clock to the K-01 IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I agree with Mike. I moved from the K-01 to the K-01X and it provided a significant improvement in sound quality. The K-01X is much more organic sounding and musical than the K-01 as the last remnants of digital edge are removed. The G-01 clock will give you an incremental improvement in sound quality but not nearly as significant as the K-01X upgrade, plus it will cost you a lot more.

Ken
 
Mike.......In the previous posts I don't recall seeing anyone mention that the Esoteric K-01 and K-03 are able be used direct to amplifiers with volume controlled by the remote control. That feature was eliminated in the K-03X and K-01X. The omission of that feature may adversely impact anyone who uses the K-01 or K-03 direct to their amplifiers. I went from a K-03 to a K-01X and was not disturbed by this change because I use a preamplifier between the K-01X and the Amps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top