Good evening from Maryland.
After a fair amount of pre-consideration, I am now listening each evening as the Esoteric K03XD warms up (only 85 hours so far). (Alsyvox Tintoretto speakers, CJ Art 150 or McGary SA-1 amplification).
I must say I have been skeptical in the past about the claims for transformation of sound over warm-up periods (as others have said often, one "want to hear" improvement). I also have listened to earlier models of the Esoteric, including much more expensive combinations, and found them just too "aggressive." I was tempted by the Luxman 08 - so much more affordable - but (perhaps wrongly of course) it reminded me of my Zesto amp - a beautiful sound and so relaxing in the first many hours - but ultimately I came to hear a signature). The 10 may well be big step forward but it was beyond the budget. But folks whose ears I trust suggested that this iteration of the Esoteric was creating a different listening experience.
I am not trying to step on the lead: the first night I found it hard going - 45 minutes did it. Not so even 3.5 days later. But the changes mean that my best effort to offer what I hope will be thoughtful reactions must wait at least another week or more.
After a fair amount of pre-consideration, I am now listening each evening as the Esoteric K03XD warms up (only 85 hours so far). (Alsyvox Tintoretto speakers, CJ Art 150 or McGary SA-1 amplification).
I must say I have been skeptical in the past about the claims for transformation of sound over warm-up periods (as others have said often, one "want to hear" improvement). I also have listened to earlier models of the Esoteric, including much more expensive combinations, and found them just too "aggressive." I was tempted by the Luxman 08 - so much more affordable - but (perhaps wrongly of course) it reminded me of my Zesto amp - a beautiful sound and so relaxing in the first many hours - but ultimately I came to hear a signature). The 10 may well be big step forward but it was beyond the budget. But folks whose ears I trust suggested that this iteration of the Esoteric was creating a different listening experience.
I am not trying to step on the lead: the first night I found it hard going - 45 minutes did it. Not so even 3.5 days later. But the changes mean that my best effort to offer what I hope will be thoughtful reactions must wait at least another week or more.