Esoteric K01: What are the best settings for CD?


The Esoteric K01 has several up-conversion and filter options for CD play-back. Unfortunately, each up-conversion option and each filter option requires approximately 500 hours of 'break-in' to sound it's best. I have owned the Esoteric K01 since it's release. It is a superb SACD and CD player. I have 'broken in' some but not all filter and up-conversion settings. I am still unable to decide which combination I like best. I am currently using S_DLY1 (for digital filter) and 2Fs (for up conversion). I would like to know what settings other Esoteric K01 owners like best. It would be helpful if If you can explain why those settings sound better to you than other combinations. I wonder which settings the experts at Esoteric/Teac would recommend?
matjet

Showing 7 responses by flashunlock

I have owned my K-01 for nearly 2 years now and prefer the DSD and no filters sound over the others.

Power cord is Siltech Ruby Double crown.

Footers are Alto Extremo Neoflex BK.
Jon2020,

I have the Krell Evo-1 and Evo-2, speakers being B&W 800 Diamond and 2 x Velodyne DD-18 subs. I also run a Mio La Clock 10 MHZ clock with the K-01.
OK....here goes.

With and without the Mio La Clock is like the icing on a cake. Everything just falls into place and enhances everything that the K-01 is great for. You will hear much more into the music with the 10mhz clock. The sound stage becomes even bigger, instruments placement are more precise, the vocals brings on a further human like sound and the bass have a much tighter authority. Some experienced clocks with their K-01 and found no gains but for me, it's well worth the effort just for the gains I've mentioned.

In regards to the PC's. I still run Tara Labs Colbalts for my pre and Pwr which does a great job for now. The Siltech Ruby DC is on another level to the Colbalt especially for the K-01 where it is being used. Lets put it this way, the Colbalt was the best sounding PC I have owned/used and the Ruby Dc just makes mince meat out of it in every possible way. It has to be heard to be believed.

Footers also makes a huge difference to the K-01, as I have mentioned before that I'm using the Alto Extremo Neoflex BK, they are sitting on a solid block of Welsh slate 5 inches thick which kills any vibration etc for good.

I have slightly modified the player myself by changing the stock IEC socket to a better material one as well as the internal +/-/earth cables. I have further damped the chassis and changed the stock XLR output sockets to the top line of Furutech. Last but not least is a Acoustic Revive RGC-24 for better earthing.

Hope this helps and cheers.
Jon2020,

My warranty has expired so no worries. Besides, Esoteric make their players like tanks and the mods done are reversible and YES they are well worth the effort IMO.

Cheers.
Bvdiman,

I've owned the Siltech Empress DC XLR interconnects with the K-01 which replaced the Tara Labs Zero Gold at the time and when Crystal cables introduced their top flight Absolute dream, the Empress DC was sold straight away. It is that much better IMO.

Cheers.
Bvdiman,

Thank you and you are so right in regards. I have tried the CrystalPower AD with the AD interconnects but the sound became a bit thin for my liking and same goes for the AD speaker wires. The Siltech Emperor DC is the one to go for I think but I daren't listen to it due to the price :). I'm using the Tara Labs Omega Gold speaker wires currently which gives me a happy medium synergy for the whole system.
Regards.
I do believe in break in of electronic equipment and cables but I would NEVER loop my player for hundred of hours on end for all filters and up-sampling combinations. Have you guys ever stopped for 1 min to think that all components inside your player be it a resistor, capacity, power supply etc etc all have a life span??? You are only shortening the life of all the components.
The K-01 is a great sounding player from new so why not just enjoy it and stop worrying about needing 800+ hrs of break in. Besides, if you leave the player on 24/7 like I do, most of the break in is done for you without looping a CD.

Just my 2 cent guys.