Esoteric K-01

Guido...I don't own a K-03 or K-01 but when I talked to Mark and Tim from Esoteric this past April at Axpona about them (they were showing a K-03), they told me that breakin time is consistent with the P-01, P-03U/P-03, UX-1, X-01, C-03 pre-amp, etc....plan for 300-500 hours with unit getting incremental nuances/refinements after 500 hours. There is a lot of circuitry in the K series models, plan for good levels of break in. The thing I've always found myself wondering is when you have multiple choices for upsampling (DSD versus the various levels of PCM like the P-03 units provide) if you need to run separate breakin times for the 2-3 major modes of the transport or DAC in question. To be on the safe-side with my P-03U and D-03 I did in fact fun 300+ hours on DSD upconversion as well as 300+ hours on PCM at 176.4.

Zephyr24069, I suspect that K-01 may require separate breakin for major filters and upsampling rates as well. G.

Anyone use the USB port yet?

hi Frank (Fplanner2010), I have tried to send you a PM via Audiogon, but the beta system does not support PMs yet.... Do drop me an email... Would love to chat about K-01, the Universe, and... Everything!

guido.d.corona@gmail.com

Saluti, Guido

G-
OK, but I'm not "Frank", although I AM candid and forthright. I'll drop you a line this weekend.

HARVE

My apologies Harv for my senior brainfart.... Looking forward to your msg this coming weekend! Saluti, Guido

Has anyone heard (and bought) the Estoeric P-02 D-02 combo as yet? I am interested in particular in the performance of the D-02 as compared to the older D-02 as I may take a step-wise approach to upgrading my P-03U/D-03 combo.

I have an Esoteric K-01 but a G-03X and in my opinion is the best to listen to digital sources! For me the K-01 with the clock is in the same league as the Escarlati, at a price much lower! Have a 500HS against requiring of break ing in each filter and sampler up! Another critical point is that it requires a good powercord would not say exceptional, in my case I use Purist Limited Edition + Furutech FI50/51, and as the clock BNC cable for Purist Canorus with all these products at least for me! end the search for the beloved musical nirvana!
Best Regards
Adrian

Zepher, I owned the K-01, which is a fantastic player that I easily could have lived with for along time and not looked back. I upgraded from the X-01/D2, which is an all together different sound. The X-01 plays multi channel SACD and when done right is certainly worth the listening time, for me anyway! But the K-01 is a huge step up from the X-01D2, much more relaxing and easier on the ears long term. They both are excellent at extracting information, but the K-01 is much much smoother and not as acute at the extremes.
To the point, an excellent opportunity came up to trade out the K-01 toward the D-02/P-02 combo... And that is a whole other league. The D-02/P-02 combo is by itself in the Esoteric offerings. Out of the box these players blew me away, even with the stock cords and inexpensive cables. I've since upgraded to Wireworld series 7 clock and DC's and Shunyata ZiTron PC's and the sound just gets bigger and bigger everytime I play them. The deliniation of sounds and instruments, and the authentic reproduction of vocals and piano is astounding. On live music the audience clapping sounds as real as I've ever heard it through speakers. I find it hard to believe that there are many players as peers to these machines ! I say to anyone who can afford it , don't even thing twice about it and you will never look back! Enjoy the music !