Esoteric P-02/D-02

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Car commander

Shhhh, I thought we agreed not to talk about how much it cost.

That's the frequency response; up to 100kHz

[kiwi_1282001]

Originally Posted by Colekat

Kiwi, In my main system I have the D-02/P-02 combo on Cerabase Footers with a Bryston SP3 preamp and 28bsst2 mono blocks, all cabling WW Platinum Starlight 7, PS Audio PP10, Oppo 83se, Baetis music server with Snake River Boomslang digital cable, Dynaudio Evidence Temptations with Analysis Plus Silver Oval 9 speaker cables and AP silver interconnects.
I'm listening to alot of jazz right now, old swing and Basie/ Ellington era stuff. Just picked up Ellington at Newport (complete) , this is where the K -01 and the D/P combo excell. I have the X-01/D2, which is a great player, multi channel too, and thats what hooked me on the Esoteric's. Awesome detail, surgical separation of the sounds, second to done dynamics. These Esoterics have the bass down. The X-01 was a pleasure as long as the disc was right, but the K-01 got it right even if the disc wasn't terrific. Theres a smoothness to the recent Esoteric gear that the last generation doesn't seam to have. The older stuff is way to accessory dependent,myou can get a great sound, but you need to match all your stuff REALLY well. The K -01 sounded great with most of my listening stuff, thats why I replaced the X-01. Listening to Verve recordings on any of these players sounds terrific, Esp. SACD, Diana Krall , Gilberto/Getz...almost any DSD is jaw dropping on the D-02/P-02, anyway my point is the K-01 matched up well with any of my cabling and sounded Bigger right out of the box, especially with the swing/band stuff. Ellington meets Basie, the opening Battle Royal starts out with the different sounds of the band then the mix. With the K-01 all the instruments sounded Bigger, more defined, more deliniated in the mix. This is a great CD to use for hearing the differences.
Then I had a chance to setup the D-02/P-02 and audition it and that was a problem. The combo takes it all to another level ! These pieces definitely don't get enough fanfare, esp. The D-02. All the sounds on Ellington/ Basie just took on a fuller sound, if the K-01 adds flesh to the bones, the D/P combo are at the gym, they add finess and muscle and balance and conifidence. The music through these two almost sounds in my living room at times. Never heard clapping sound so real. On DK Live in Paris, Case of You, you can hear the staff in the background and her getting set, and when she starts to play the music jumps out at you, like at a show, hauntingly real, the piano just sounds there, bold. And it sounds great on the K-01 too.
If you can listen to the D-02/P-02 ,you should, it is definately a great tune- up for any good system. It help my whole system sound better, and thats something no other player I've had has done. Players always seem to need the right this or the right that, these just play well anywhere. They are Effortless in there presentation, they surgically deliniate the sounds and never at the expense of the whole, I got hooked after just a couple of CD's.

Many thanks for the nice write up Colekat.

I know the DK "Case of you" recording well. Very live and er, a lot of coughs from the audience!

My local Esoteric dealer is trying to convince me that while the single box K-Series is good to cut your teeth on – what I really need is a D-02/P-02/G-01! Apparently (he says) you haven't heard what the D-02/P-02 can do until you bolt on the G-01. So, far I've resisted the temptation (another great DK tune) to audition. I don’t doubt he is right having auditioned the older X-series with a master clock. Where does it end? Wait, I think I know the answer to that question – a full dCS Vivaldi stack. Did you by chance compare the D-02/P-02 against the dCS Vivaldi transport and DAC before purchase? The good news with the Vivaldi stack is once you have recovered from the price sticker shock (about 70KHz ) of the transport and DAC the uClock is a mere couple of branded handbags extra.

[audiokarl]

to upgrade my d-02 with a external clock, thats what i want do do in near future.
i dont want a transport-system any more thats why i decided to order the d-02 after testing the k01 for some time.
all of my music will be delivered from my macbookpro via starlight platinum usb to
the d-02 and ends in the stax sr 009 headphone.
next week, esoteric send a g-02 clock for testing. there should be a improvement in sound. the g-01 is to expensive for me.

karl

[Colekat]

Hey Kiwi, See my post on Rubidium clock, I was able to compare the K-01 with the Clock and without the clock on Masterlu's system and the effect was profound. I have not heard the Vivaldi Stack, though it is on the showroom floor of a local Audio Store... I know at some point the only one I am convincing that I need to upgrade to something new is myself. Everyone who has heard my system thoroughly enjoys the experience, and the only real upgrade I could do it this point would be to move up to the next level, which I could only do at the expense of everything I LOVE and love to do. And I have thought about it!! I am going through the same dilemma, whether or not to add something to my system.
I have never spend a nickel on this " hobby" that I could have spend on something I needed, however, every cent could be spent on something better! I don't know where it ends!
You can buy the D-02/P-02 without the clock, and you will be totally satisfied, and it can be upgraded at a later date. The K series and D-02 are by itself a huge step up from the X series, clock or not.
What Karl is doing clearly will have a huge effect, listening through phones, but at the expense of localization, which the clock seems to effect profoundly... I never would have thought that until I heard it at Masterlu's.
I hope I have helped with your decision, either way Diana Krall won't know the difference!

[Colekat]

Hey kiwi, what are you using as a preamp? I am debating whether or not use a preamp in my system. It sounds fantastic straight thru the DAC, but many I talk to believe the preamp would be an upgrade to the sound. What's your thoughts! Thanks Tom

[Colekat]

Hey Jim, Isn't better to tell them how much it cost...ALMOST !

[Xtreme40]

I can't imagine life without a preamp, to me it sounds more refined with no fatigue. Besides, I need to select between my sources.

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by Xtreme40

I can't imagine life without a preamp, to me it sounds more refined with no fatigue. Besides, I need to select between my sources.

+1
Even though I don't have the need to select, nor own any other sources.

[Colekat]

Hey guys, What are you using for preamps on your systems?

[Car commander]

The best one I have tried so far ML326S.