Yes it really is.
I recently upgraded my 4 month old K-01XD for the new K1X.
Way better layering , harmonics,wider and depper soudstage with very obvious bass improvement , speed and impact.
Hard to believe as the K-01XD was the best one box sacd player that I ever heard, as it bettered, by a fair amount , my P03/ D/03 /G0s clock combo I had before it.
The K-01 XD is exceptional and better than all previous Esoteric machines with a totally different sound. Much more organic and musical than previous Esoteric products.
......But the KIX is in a different league !