Esoteric XD Series

With the N-01XD I think I probably prefer 4fs/M2 filter in my environment.

It feels a bit more musical.

Either way the sound isn’t as defined/transparent as what I am getting streaming directly from the Mojo Deja Vu Evo through the Melco S10 to the Devialet, but using 4fs/M2 filter I get a more organic sound, a bit like playing vinyl instead of digital.

It’s significantly nicer with average records, including pretty much all pop/rock/country. Still highly defined but without any harshness.

With great recordings nothing seems to beat the internal dac of the Devialet it would seem.

For dsd files, in particular those from HDTT, I think I prefer the Esoteric, which makes sense since it supports DSD256 natively which the Devialet unfortunately doesn’t.

Cheers,
Bernard
 
bernardl said:
With the N-01XD I think I probably prefer 4fs/M2 filter in my environment.

It feels a bit more musical.

Either way the sound isn’t as defined/transparent as what I am getting streaming directly from the Mojo Deja Vu Evo through the Melco S10 to the Devialet, but using 4fs/M2 filter I get a more organic sound, a bit like playing vinyl instead of digital.

It’s significantly nicer with average records, including pretty much all pop/rock/country. Still highly defined but without any harshness.

With great recordings nothing seems to beat the internal dac of the Devialet it would seem.

For dsd files, in particular those from HDTT, I think I prefer the Esoteric, which makes sense since it supports DSD256 natively which the Devialet unfortunately doesn’t.

Cheers,
Bernard
Click to expand...

I didn't care for the M2 filter when I briefly tried it, but I will give it another shot.

I completely agree with you about the "vinyl sound" from the N-01xd. It really is true. It is the only dac I've ever owned that doesn't sound like digital at all.

What power cord are you using on it? I'm thinking I need to up my game on the PC feeding this beast.
 
2fastdriving said:
I didn't care for the M2 filter when I briefly tried it, but I will give it another shot.

I completely agree with you about the "vinyl sound" from the N-01xd. It really is true. It is the only dac I've ever owned that doesn't sound like digital at all.

What power cord are you using on it? I'm thinking I need to up my game on the PC feeding this beast.
Click to expand...

Hi Marc,

Currently the power cord connecting the N-01XD to the Shunyata Everest is a Shunyata Sigma V1.

I may replace it by a Sigma V2 at a later stage. An Omega is tempting too, but I guess that replacing my Sigma V1 clock cable (connecting the N-01XD to the Cybershaft OP21A) by an Omega clock cable may result in higher benefits at a lower overall cost.

Cheers,
Bernard
 
bernardl said:
Hi Marc,

Currently the power cord connecting the N-01XD to the Shunyata Everest is a Shunyata Sigma V1.

I may replace it by a Sigma V2 at a later stage. An Omega is tempting too, but I guess that replacing my Sigma V1 clock cable (connecting the N-01XD to the Cybershaft OP21A) by an Omega clock cable may result in higher benefits at a lower overall cost.

Cheers,
Bernard
Click to expand...
Nice! I have a similar, yet slightly lower end set up.

I have the G-02x clock with a Sigma v1 clock cable, and a Denali 6000s v2 fed by the Sigma v1, and an older Alpha HC going to the N-01xd.

I have Alpha NR v2 cords feeding my amps (straight to the wall) and preamp (from Denali).

I really love what the NR v2 cords did for my system, and will likely get alpha or Sigma for the N-01xd.

It will take a while, because I just bought a new rack and a bunch of isolation stuff.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
 
2fastdriving said:
Nice! I have a similar, yet slightly lower end set up.

I have the G-02x clock with a Sigma v1 clock cable, and a Denali 6000s v2 fed by the Sigma v1, and an older Alpha HC going to the N-01xd.

I have Alpha NR v2 cords feeding my amps (straight to the wall) and preamp (from Denali).

I really love what the NR v2 cords did for my system, and will likely get alpha or Sigma for the N-01xd.

It will take a while, because I just bought a new rack and a bunch of isolation stuff.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Very similar indeed. :-)

I got an Omega XC to connect the Everest to the wall, and the also Sigma V2 from Everest to the amps. This works very well indeed!

There is no end to this game, so playing it slow is certainly the right thing to do. :-)

Cheers,
Bernard
 
bernardl said:
With the N-01XD I think I probably prefer 4fs/M2 filter in my environment.

It feels a bit more musical.

Either way the sound isn’t as defined/transparent as what I am getting streaming directly from the Mojo Deja Vu Evo through the Melco S10 to the Devialet, but using 4fs/M2 filter I get a more organic sound, a bit like playing vinyl instead of digital.

It’s significantly nicer with average records, including pretty much all pop/rock/country. Still highly defined but without any harshness.

With great recordings nothing seems to beat the internal dac of the Devialet it would seem.

For dsd files, in particular those from HDTT, I think I prefer the Esoteric, which makes sense since it supports DSD256 natively which the Devialet unfortunately doesn’t.

Cheers,
Bernard
Click to expand...

Bernard, after playing around a bit more, I agree with you. I like M2 better now, sacrifices ultimate detail for more organic musicality - a good trade to my ears. Thank you.
 
2fastdriving said:
Nice! I have a similar, yet slightly lower end set up.

I have the G-02x clock with a Sigma v1 clock cable, and a Denali 6000s v2 fed by the Sigma v1, and an older Alpha HC going to the N-01xd.

I have Alpha NR v2 cords feeding my amps (straight to the wall) and preamp (from Denali).

I really love what the NR v2 cords did for my system, and will likely get alpha or Sigma for the N-01xd.

It will take a while, because I just bought a new rack and a bunch of isolation stuff.
Click to expand...

Crikey. I'm almost on the same ship sailing on the same sea as you!
N-01
G-02X
Sigma Clock-50 v1
Denali 6000 v1
 
Rnrmf said:
Or view the English language version:

High Fidelity
Click to expand...

I read the review in detail, and they compared the K-01XD to DCS Vivaldi in addition to their flagship Ayon, and if I am not wrong they did A/B testing with Ideon absolute DAC. Ideon Absolute was reviewed in TAS, and it was so good, he bought it. The Ideon costs ~ 35K. If K-01XD is in that league, then esoteric should be one hell of a deal among these elite group of DACs. Too bad, TAS or Stereophile or other big audiophile websites, don`t review much of luxman or esoteric or audio note gears. We read and discuss in the forums and see how people love them. There is something fishy among reviewers, I wonder sometimes. Just my 2 cents.
 
RaChiK said:
I read the review in detail, and they compared the K-01XD to DCS Vivaldi in addition to their flagship Ayon, and if I am not wrong they did A/B testing with Ideon absolute DAC. Ideon Absolute was reviewed in TAS, and it was so good, he bought it. The Ideon costs ~ 35K. If K-01XD is in that league, then esoteric should be one hell of a deal among these elite group of DACs. Too bad, TAS or Stereophile or other big audiophile websites, don`t review much of luxman or esoteric or audio note gears. We read and discuss in the forums and see how people love them. There is something fishy among reviewers, I wonder sometimes. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

My publications have a policy to focus their reviews on the brands that advertise in the publication. It doesn't mean that any advertiser will get a great review, but it often means that you will not get a review at all if you don't support the publication.

Considering that they probably don't have enough bandwidth/paper volume to cover stuff not supporting them anyway, it's not unreasonable.

Cheers,
Bernard
 
RaChiK said:
I read the review in detail, and they compared the K-01XD to DCS Vivaldi in addition to their flagship Ayon, and if I am not wrong they did A/B testing with Ideon absolute DAC. Ideon Absolute was reviewed in TAS, and it was so good, he bought it. The Ideon costs ~ 35K. If K-01XD is in that league, then esoteric should be one hell of a deal among these elite group of DACs. Too bad, TAS or Stereophile or other big audiophile websites, don`t review much of luxman or esoteric or audio note gears. We read and discuss in the forums and see how people love them. There is something fishy among reviewers, I wonder sometimes. Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I expect (or at least hope) to see some Esoteric reviews coming soon. I would love to see a TAS/Stereophile review of this new amazing XD series, but as I’ve told many manufacturers, they should focus on the smaller reviewers too. There are lots of great, smaller reviewers out there. Roy Gregory is one example. Jeff Fritz is another.

For now, we have some great real user feedback. I posted my thoughts around my own Esoteric Grandioso stack on another thread. To my ears, MSB and Esoteric are both world class and which one you pick depends on your preferences and system synergy.
 
bernardl said:
My publications have a policy to focus their reviews on the brands that advertise in the publication. It doesn't mean that any advertiser will get a great review, but it often means that you will not get a review at all if you don't support the publication.

Considering that they probably don't have enough bandwidth/paper volume to cover stuff not supporting them anyway, it's not unreasonable.

Cheers,
Bernard
Click to expand...

I understand and respect that. To run and maintain major publications, needs all help. But, from consumer stand point of view, we do expect some degree of fair coverage of all quality gears, regardless. Like esoteric or luxman, for example: people who buy them, rave about them and they don't get mentioned in major reviews. A bit of disconnect, I think. Again, not a big deal, but I think, they need to get credit when deserved.
 
RaChiK said:
For people using XLR analogue out, are you guys using XLR 2 or XLR 3 hot ?. Any difference ?
Click to expand...
You need to find out what your preamp requires. Most US made amps are pin2, and many Japanese brands are pin3. Look up your specific preamp.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Tapatalk
 
Since VAC is using pin 2 hot, you may set to use pin 2 hot as a start, unless you know the album you're playing was recorded with phase inverted.

Your Luxman defaults to pin 3 hot. To be consistent, you may use its phase invert function.
 
Mike said:
You’ll thank me later. [emoji56]


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

Well, I have now the K01XD in my system. New and cold out of the box the presentation is already very nice and pleasant.
I noted lots of detail and it's still very smooth, transparency, solid LF and delicate HF.
First class finish also as usual with Esoteric.

I keep smiling all the time, so thanks Mike.
 
bizuras said:
Well, I have now the K01XD in my system. New and cold out of the box the presentation is already very nice and pleasant.
I noted lots of detail and it's still very smooth, transparency, solid LF and delicate HF.
First class finish also as usual with Esoteric.

I keep smiling all the time, so thanks Mike.
Click to expand...

Congrats!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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