Upgrade pre-amp or CD-player

[mostlybaffled]

Hi,

My system at the moment is the K-01-XD CD player, the C-03-XS pre-amp, the N-03-T streamer and the S-02 power amp, all Esoteric. Speakers are Marten Parker Trio Diamond Edition.

My idea was to upgrade until I am just below the lofty Grandiose level.

There does not seem to be a pre-amp in the Esoteric range above the C-03 other than the Grandioso C-01. To me, this seems like a bit of a gap in the range.

For my next upgrade, I am considering getting the K-01-XD player in the SE version, or, a bit reluctantly, the Grandioso C-01 Solo.

Has anyonse else made one or both of these upgrades? Which one gave the best results please?

Many thanks.

 

[Mike]

Welcome! I’m always a source first in these situations.

 

[Mr Peabody]

I'm not familiar enough to say.

I can tell you a friend had the Audio Research Ref 6 se preamp that I thought was excellent, he moved to the Esoteric Solo preamp and the improvement was significant IMO.

Welcome to the site.

 

[GSOphile]

mostly baffled, I have a solo and a K-01XD. I bought the solo under somewhat different circumstances from yours - after upgrading from a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated halfway to separates, first a Luxman M-10X amp and then what pre? Luxman had not announced their matching C-10X pre, so I auditioned several pre-amps in my system (ARC, Constellation, and Pass) before choosing the Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo, IMO a really fine pre. The move to these separates was a really good choice for me.

 

[Gazza13]

I love, love, love my C1X Solo and soon afterwards added the Grandioso N1 and the synergy is understandably sublime. I did briefly audition a K1X with the Solo and loved what I heard but the N1 was announced around that time and I went for that instead. The N1 is noticeably better.

I really feel that Esoteric amplification doesn't get the kudos it deserves as most seem to focus on the brand's (well-earned) reputation as source leader but that leaves their amp gear lacking media exposure.

 

[mostlybaffled]

I'm not familiar enough to say.

I can tell you a friend had the Audio Research Ref 6 se preamp that I thought was excellent, he moved to the Esoteric Solo preamp and the improvement was significant IMO.

Welcome to the site.

Thanks. The Audio Research Ref 6 has a very good reputation, so the Esoteric Solo must be excellent.

 

[mostlybaffled]

mostly baffled, I have a solo and a K-01XD. I bought the solo under somewhat different circumstances from yours - after upgrading from a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated halfway to separates, first a Luxman M-10X amp and then what pre? Luxman had not announced their matching C-10X pre, so I auditioned several pre-amps in my system (ARC, Constellation, and Pass) before choosing the Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo, IMO a really fine pre.

Good to know, thanks. I would hope the Solo might have some synergy withthe K-01.

 

[mostlybaffled]

I love, love, love my C1X Solo and soon afterwards added the Grandioso N1 and the synergy is understandably sublime. I did briefly audition a K1X with the Solo and loved what I heard but the N1 was announced around that time and I went for that instead. The N1 is noticeably better.

I really feel that Esoteric amplification doesn't get the kudos it deserves as most seem to focus on the brand's (well-earned) reputation as source leader but that leaves their amp gear lacking media exposure.

I totally agree with your point about Esoteric amplification. I have also come across the idea that the digital sources are so good in part due to their analogue components.

Did you compare the K1X with an N1 of the same generation? I'm interested in why there would be a big difference in sound quality. Do they not have the same DAC? I mostly stream so use the K-01-XD mainly as a DAC but it's good to have the option to play the occasional CD.

 

[GSOphile]

The new Grandioso N1 is currently the only Esoteric offering with their second generation discrete component DAC.

Ref my post above, the ARC pre that I auditioned prior to choosing the solo was the Reference 6SE.

 

[mostlybaffled]

The new Grandioso N1 is currently the only Esoteric offering with their second generation discrete component DAC.

Ref my post above, the ARC pre that I auditioned prior to choosing the solo was the Reference 6SE.

Thanks for pointing that out. I was not aware of the discrete DAC G2. It may take a while before that trickles down to the K-01-XD SE I suppose.

 

[Mr Peabody]

You really understand same brand synergy with Esoteric. A friend gradually changed his system over to Esoteric piece by piece. It was interesting to hear how the sound snapped more and more into place as he added each piece.

I agree about the amplifiers they look and sound beautiful. I only have hands on with the s01, I think that's the correct model, the power sounds to be very underrated. I'm not usually one to get excited about looks but I really like the build and look of the amps.

 

[mostlybaffled]

You really understand same brand synergy with Esoteric. A friend gradually changed his system over to Esoteric piece by piece. It was interesting to hear how the sound snapped more and more into place as he added each piece.

I agree about the amplifiers they look and sound beautiful. I only have hands on with the s01, I think that's the correct model, the power sounds to be very underrated. I'm not usually one to get excited about looks but I really like the build and look of the amps.

You're right; it's working very well. I tried one of their class A amps which sounded wonderful but ran quite hot. I was also a bit worried they might not be able to drive my previous speakers. The S 02 is A/B and sounds great.

I have a very helpful Esoteric dealer close by which is great. There may be some changes on the way later this spring I gather. I would not wish to buy either an K-01-XD-SE or a Solo pre and find significant upgrades taking place a few months later.

 

[Gazza13]

You're right; it's working very well. I tried one of their class A amps which sounded wonderful but ran quite hot. I was also a bit worried they might not be able to drive my previous speakers. The S 02 is A/B and sounds great.

I have a very helpful Esoteric dealer close by which is great. There may be some changes on the way later this spring I gather. I would not wish to buy either an K-01-XD-SE or a Solo pre and find significant upgrades taking place a few months later.

Have you heard rumors for releases later this year? I'm assuming the updates shown with the new S-05XE will "trickle up" to other models. The 2-box C1X and the M1X are likely overdue for a refresh so it wouldn't surprise me if they are next off the rank.

I'll admit I have being eying the S1X to go with my C1X Solo at some time in the future but maybe I should wait to see what shakes out.

 

[mostlybaffled]

Have you heard rumors for releases later this year? I'm assuming the updates shown with the new S-05XE will "trickle up" to other models. The 2-box C1X and the M1X are likely overdue for a refresh so it wouldn't surprise me if they are next off the rank.

I'll admit I have being eying the S1X to go with my C1X Solo at some time in the future but maybe I should wait to see what shakes out.

Not exactly. @GSOphile helpfully pointed out the G2 DAC in the Grandioso N1. I then had a look on the Esoteric website. I did not have a really thorough look, but they seem to say that the N-05-XE also has a G2 DAC. Now this may well be a simpler version; they're at opposite end of the Esoteric range.

As I am thinking of upgrading my K-01-XD to the SE version I contacted my dealer. I don't want to do this and then find out the XE version appears a day later. My dealer said he has a meeting with Esoteric in March when he will be crowned a Grandioso dealer. He said "he will get the full chat then". I assume this mean that he will get whatever information Esoteric are willing to divulge at that point.

There may be a simultaneous trickling down and trickling up, until these trickles reach the middle realm of the Esoteric range, where I feel comfortable.