K 01 XD / K 03 XD filter preferences

[aardvarkbark]

Just now performing my once-a-decade sound system upgrade (probably more update than upgrade; prices are steeper than anticipated -- whose idea were these crazy tariffs?!?). I use a simple two-channel system and the new components are (as of next week) -- Esoteric F 02 integrated, Esoteric K 03XD SE cd player, B&W 803 D4. No video, no streaming.

When I bought my current K 03X ten years ago, I dutifully experimented with different filter/upsampling settings, knowing each one required several hours of break-in, and then came across a forum post which provided good guidance and yielded a sound I like, so never bothered trying others for the past nine years. I am hoping that someone can now, once again, save me hundreds of hours of experimenting, since the settings options have changed.

I listen to classical and acoustic jazz with strong preference for piano. No SACDs in the collection (most of the really good performances have been remastered quite nicely). On the K 03X, the SDLY filters and 8x upsampling produced a disagreeable "bright" / "brittle" / "harsh" piano. FIR 1 filter and 2x upsampling produced a warmer, natural sound. I read that the settings on the XD's are different now -- M1, M2, M3, with similar upsampling options.

Do any of you listen to acoustic music on a K 01XD or K 03XD and have a preference for filter/upsampling settings? I see that GSOphile, listening to classical music, evolved from a preference of M1/no upsampling in 2022 to M1/8x in 2024, but I don't find other stated preferences.

I'd welcome your thoughts. And thanks, Mike, for facilitating the transition!

 

[GSOphile]

Still have my K-01XD and have been back to M1/no upsampling for quite awhile now. I think Esoteric knew what they were doing when they made this their default. While upsampling brings some interesting attributes, it does some things to piano and violin playback that I just can't live with. Interesting that on Esoteric's latest gear they seem to have dropped upsampling options.

 

[aardvarkbark]

Thank you, GSOphile. I appreciate you sharing your experience. My system 20 yrs ago included the Classe Delta integrated and universal player, which boasted 8x upsampling (not adjustable), so I just figured that if Esoteric offered it in their K03X, surely it would provide optimal sound. But it didn't. Made me wonder whether the Classe would have sounded better without it (though the sound was excellent).

I presume this K03XD SE does offer upsampling. Internet comments suggest it does. The Esoteric website is down for maintenance so I can't see the Owners Manual online.

 

[GSOphile]

Thank you, GSOphile. I appreciate you sharing your experience. My system 20 yrs ago included the Classe Delta integrated and universal player, which boasted 8x upsampling (not adjustable), so I just figured that if Esoteric offered it in their K03X, surely it would provide optimal sound. But it didn't. Made me wonder whether the Classe would have sounded better without it (though the sound was excellent).

I presume this K03XD SE does offer upsampling. Internet comments suggest it does. The Esoteric website is down for maintenance so I can't see the Owners Manual online.

I'm pretty sure it does as well.