Esoteric K-01X is in the house!

I heard that the K-01X and K-03X no longer have the adjustable volume control, so you will need a preamp ! Is it true ? Isn't this this is a step backward in usability ?
 
bmichels said:
I heard that the K-01X and K-03X no longer have the adjustable volume control, so you will need a preamp ! Is it true ? Isn't this this is a step backward in usability ?
Click to expand...

Yes.

I still say....
T+A PDP 3000HV if you want the most advanced digital source, natural/neutral sounding.
EAR if you love tubey sounds!

The Absolute Sound is close to releasing their review of the T+A PDP3000HV. Stay tuned...:audiophile:
 
I also wonder if, with the Esoteric K-01x (or other TOL SACD/DAC like the Luxman c-08u, Accuphase DP720, E.A.R......) it is possible to connect a headphone direct to their XLRs analog output like it is possible with the TotalDAC D1-Dual dac ?


Vincent from TotalDAC even sell an adapter cable to convert a 4 pins XLR to 2 plugs female 3 pins XLR. I tested this with a HD800 on a TotalDAC D1 and the sound, without any amplifier between the DAC Chip and the headphone, was UBER clean and precise !!
 
bmichels said:
I also wonder if, with the Esoteric K-01x (or other TOL SACD/DAC like the Luxman c-08u, Accuphase DP720, E.A.R......) it is possible to connect a headphone direct to their XLRs analog output like it is possible with the TotalDAC D1-Dual dac ?


Vincent from TotalDAC even sell an adapter cable to convert a 4 pins XLR to 2 plugs female 3 pins XLR. I tested this with a HD800 on a TotalDAC D1 and the sound, without any amplifier between the DAC Chip and the headphone, was UBER clean and precise !!
Click to expand...

I don't know, I've never tried this with the Esoteric K-01 or K-01X. Seems like a good question for their tech support team. One important thing to note, the K-01 has a high-quality variable linestage and its volume can be controlled through its remote. The K-01X has a fixed linestage and no volume control, so you'll need to add a preamp.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
I don't know, I've never tried this with the Esoteric K-01 or K-01X. Seems like a good question for their tech support team. One important thing to note, the K-01 has a high-quality variable linestage and its volume can be controlled through its remote. The K-01X has a fixed linestage and no volume control, so you'll need to add a preamp.

Ken
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Thanks for your answer. If there is no volume control, then... it will nOT be possible to direct-connect a headphone on it :-(
 
bmichels said:
Thanks for your answer. If there is no volume control, then... it will nOT be possible to direct-connect a headphone on it :-(
Click to expand...

You should really consider the K-01. It is a terrific sounding component and should work for what you're trying to do. There is also a factory upgrade available to provide 384 kHz PCM and DSD functioning.

Ken
 
I am so digging the refined and relaxed musicality of my K-01X. I sold my K-01 and shipped it out yesterday. My next addition will hopefully be the G-01 Rubidium Master Clock early next year. I think adding the G-01 will give me the opportunity to milk every last ounce of performance out of the K-01X.

Best,
Ken
 
Ken - that's great to hear! I'll still get you into a Aurender N10/BADA ref one of these days. [emoji6]

Are you going with the Esoteric clock or SRS PERF-10?
 
Mike said:
Ken - that's great to hear! I'll still get you into a Aurender N10/BADA ref one of these days. [emoji6]

Are you going with the Esoteric clock or SRS PERF-10?
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Mike,

I'll be going with the Esoteric G-01 Master Clock. Its performance on the 22 MHz setting provides terrific synergy with the K-01X (superior sound quality to 10 MHz) and it has a much better power supply. After the clock, I'll turn my attention to the music servers and the N10 is certainly a top contender. In the meantime, I'm trying to learn as much as possible about music servers. By sometime next year, I'll hopefully be educated enough to make an intelligent purchasing decision on a music server.

Best,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Mike,

I'll be going with the Esoteric G-01 Master Clock. Its performance on the 22 MHz setting provides terrific synergy with the K-01X (superior sound quality to 10 MHz) and it has a much better power supply. After the clock, I'll turn my attention to the music servers and the N10 is certainly a top contender. In the meantime, I'm trying to learn as much as possible about music servers. By sometime next year, I'll hopefully be educated enough to make an intelligent purchasing decision on a music server.

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...

Even better thanthe N10, the CAT from Computer Audio Dedign (UK company) !
see: http://www.head-fi.org/t/787020/rev...d1-server-auralic-aries-audiophile-vortex-box
 
Just purchased Norah Jones' Come Away With Me in DSD download over the weekend. The sound quality of this download through the K-01X, Soulution 520/501 and Raidho D3 is stunning. I close my eyes when I'm in the nearfield listening position and it's like she's singing right in front of me. Since adding the K-01X, the realism factor has just taken off. By far the best sound I've ever had in my room. The K-01X has soul!

Ken
 
Awesome Ken! That's what this is all about... [emoji106]

As it burns in it will just get better and better...

I actually saw Nora in concert a few weeks ago... Mesmerizing to say the least... Enjoy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
La Dolce Vita said:
Awesome Ken! That's what this is all about... [emoji106]

As it burns in it will just get better and better...

I actually saw Nora in concert a few weeks ago... Mesmerizing to say the least... Enjoy!


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

Well, that must have been a memorable concert! She is a truly incredible vocalist in a sea of mediocrity.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Just purchased Norah Jones' Come Away With Me in DSD download over the weekend. The sound quality of this download through the K-01X, Soulution 520/501 and Raidho D3 is stunning. I close my eyes when I'm in the nearfield listening position and it's like she's singing right in front of me. Since adding the K-01X, the realism factor has just taken off. By far the best sound I've ever had in my room. The K-01X has soul!

Ken
Click to expand...

Where to next Ken??? :D
 
bzr said:
Where to next Ken??? :D
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Hi Kev,

Hopefully my next purchase will be the Esoteric G-01 Master Clock early next year. I want to milk every last ounce of performance out of the K-01X and I believe the G-01 will enable me to do that. From those I've spoken with that have added the G-01 to the K-01 or K-01X, I've been told the improvement is significant. Yardbird wrote a terrific review on it here: http://www.audioaficionado.org/esoteric/26717-esoteric-g-01-master-rubidium-clock-review.html

Best,
Ken
 
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