Well on my side there is only one dealer proposing a demo of the combo and home demo trial is unfortunately not an option in HK. Every time I listened to a CD or a SACD I have been impressed : clarity, micro and macro dynamics, transparency and at the same time no digital edge / harshness. I would say more forgiving than previous Esoteric players I am familiar with particularly with not so great recordings ( obviously it's not doing miracle, a bad recording is a bad recording ).
Then I listened with the N03T ( dual AES ) ,with a USB key and a regular router setup ( so no optimization at all) . I have been less impressed. Dont get me wrong it was very good but the direct and immediate comparison with the previous spinning performance was ...
So most probably with a transport of the same level of the P1X ( SGM and alike ) and a more optimized network setup,performance would have very close.
The only thing is that I did not read anything specific about a specific improvement of the non proprietary digital input ( USB particularly )
Alex
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk
I have just read SCA's impressions and indeed he is spot on and surprised as his listening was at show conditions.
I expect from his familiarity with the Esoteric lineup he has the differences between the earlier well covered.
I can only imagime the connections with dual hdmi using the ESlink5, i believe that that would be another big milestone.
It seems to me that you are keen on the transport like myself and wanting to know more how it performs as a dac.
Although i can only use my K-01x into a mutec reclocker (all masterclocked) with Shunyata Sigma clock cables as posted in my earlier post was that there is another dimension of refinement that has been revealed by the D1x that i have not experienced before with my Aurender w20 (also mastercloked), so can only imagine how the P1x would sound paired.
However, the D1x sonic signature alone without the P1x has and is to me still everything as you, SCA and myself have described.
I have never been a fan of USB, this may more be a limitation from the source than the D1x, Maybe SCA may be able to offer his impressions here on the USB input.
Yes, the SGM is tempting and logical, but am more than contented currently and what is need is a N1T streamer connecting via ESlink5 (dual hdmi) to the D1x. Lets see if it will be made and have an audition it in my system.
I would add that if one feels that their system is on the forgiving side and already warm, even the D1 at discounted prices may be a good snag.
"I would say more forgiving than previous Esoteric players I am familiar with particularly with not so great recordings ( obviously it's not doing miracle, a bad recording is a bad recording ). "
I would not say forgiving, but the way the overall details of the D1x and presented do not seem as impressively spotlit (but has everything and more) and now to me the k-01x presents it seemingly disjointed from part of the whole musical performance. (Generalisation of the previous Esoteric "House" soundand presentation), but am guessing the shift in sonic character looks to have started from the release of the K1.
At this level, your decision should be made if you feel comfortable with the progression of the Esoteric sound over the years, but it seems the stack is getting excellent impressions from shows and reviews so far.
Why i say this, is because I would caution anyone coming from a different brand of dac, likely is optimised with different cables which may now give a very different result as opposed to already having Esoteric as a dac.
The of requirement of double sets of powercords and clock cables to re-optimise quickly adds to the cost, that is why some caution has to be taken with accessing the compatibility in ones setup.
On hindsight, although i am guilty, i should not have blindly buy any component at this prices without accessing the compatibility and the correct sonic direction you are wanting.
I practically ran 1 side of the dac (mono amp to both speakers) to assess and test suitability of a previous powercord which worked well enhancing the attributes on the K-01x, now caused a tonally opposing direction in sound when used on the D1x.
This shows that new sonic direction of the D1x retains the familiar, yet vastly different Esoteric house sound.
