Esoteric P02X, D02X (and C02X), any direct listening impressions are appreciated....


I'd appreciate any direct experience from those who have done serious listening to the new Esoteric P02X and D02X transport and DAC.

Any comparisons to the prior 02 (non-X) transport and DAC would be appreciated as would listening impressions in general and against other high-end units, including but not limited to the Esoteric P1/D1, K-01X, EMMLabs, etc....

Primary reason the move from the 02 to 02X level is being considered is the native DSD streaming input on USB to the D-02X (D-02 is limited to PCM at high up-sampled rates) and the possibly attractive nature of the ES-LINK4 protocol and connection type between P02X and D02X, over and above what ES-LINK3 already provides between P02 and D02.

Thank you!
zephyr24069

Showing 6 responses by cdrc

May I suggest the STEALTH Veridig Sextet in the new V.16 with tuning collar not even advertised on the STEALTH site as of yet?  Here is a review.

http://www.dagogo.com/stealth-audio-cables-varidig-sextet-v-14t-digital-cable-review

Once you experience STEALTH Audio Cables, you will quickly realize its cables are in a world of their own.  Yes, I have been a Kubala Elation supporter for over a decade but when you connect STEALTH and realize it will yield 40% more than Elation you simply make the move as quickly as I did and never look back.  I know you will say, is this guy nuts at 40% but I can only say this is the truth from what I have experienced.  With STEALTH, Kubala Elation doesn't even make it to the playoffs to compare.
You're welcome.  There are many STEALTH pics including pics of the sextet on my virtual system.  STEALTH was all decided on well after I sold my emotion extra pc...  Sold all my elation cables (sw, 8 pc, 4 pairs ic) within three weeks, never thought I would say this but it was the best audio move I have ever made in almost 30 years!  Good luck!
Major improvements from all angles but what quickly comes to mind is tons more air, space, body, tonality, frequency response and a significantly lower noise floor.  This is all without even mentioning the build quality (ie. dialectics, connectors, etc) and exotic STEALTH conductors putting STEALTH Audio Cables in a deserved class of their own.  For a description of STEALTH hand made in-house carbon-fiber connectors, please read the first paragraph in my Audiogon STEALTH Metacarbon XLR listing and be sure to see the pics in "The STEALTH House" virtual system as well.
Will give you the best pricing and full price back on the pc.  Forget the Sextet for now, what you must try is the STEALTH Audio Cables V.16 Universal power cord with tuning collar pictured in my virtual syatem.  This one cord will make it feel like you have upgraded a component.  As a full service authorized STEALTH dealer, if I can be of any help, please don't hesitate to call and feel free to stop by The STEALTH House if you are ever in the Boston area.
I will answer your questions when I have more time but please let me correct you that I did not dump Kubala to become a STEALTH dealer .  It so happens that I demoed a Sextet AES snd was so impressed that I demoed a V.16 UNI pc and V16 dream sw then bought them and dumped all my Kubala within two weeks on gon to fund wiring my system with STEALTH.  Becoming a STEALTH dealer was purely something that sprouted up.  I don't need a second job and certainly don't need a second income ESPECIALLY in the doggy dog world of retail high end audio.  It was in no way a business decision but a decision based on my excitement about the product, the product's build design and science.  I don't build the cables nor am I the engineer but I will inquire with the lead engineer at STEALTh and get back to you.