Esoteric K-01X - Digital Inputs

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I currently use the USB digital input with my K-01X. I am currently using the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (Very Transparent) or the Totaldac (Very Organic) USB cables. I am somewhat frustrated by how different every USB cable sounds, while none sound as great or as right as the transport, which I consider to be the sonic baseline.

Has anyone tried the Optical or RCA digital inputs on the K-01X and how do they compare to the USB input? Are these inputs asynchronous and do they handle high res. PCM and DSD like the USB input?

Best,
Ken

[Yardbird]

Hi Ken.

I have not personally compared the digital inputs on my K-01x, but I can say that the AES/EBU balanced inputs are generally considered the best-sounding of the digital inputs. I have only tried the digital coax, for my Mac MS750 server, and it sounds fine. The "Big Mac" has its limitations, though, so I plan to get a modern server at some point, but right now, I'm just enjoying my silver discs! Ted.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Has anyone tried the Optical or RCA digital inputs on the K-01X and how do they compare to the USB input? Are these inputs asynchronous and do they handle high res. PCM and DSD like the USB input?

Best,
Ken

From the Esoteric page on the K-01X:

Coaxial and optical inputs support DSD in DoP format and high-resolution PCM of up to 192 kHz/24-bit.
USB Support for 2.5/5.6 MHz DSD, 384 kHz/32-bit PCM, and Asynchronous Transmission.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

Hi Ken. I have not personally compared the digital inputs on my K-01x, but I can say that the AES/EBU balanced inputs are generally considered the best-sounding of the digital inputs. I have only tried the digital coax, for my Mac MS750 server, and it sounds fine. The "Big Mac" has its limitations, though, so I plan to get a modern server at some point, but right now, I'm just enjoying my silver discs! Ted.

Unfortunately, the K01X doesn't have a AES/EBU input.

[cma29]

I wish the Esoteric palyers had HDMI digital inputs

[Yardbird]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Unfortunately, the K01X doesn't have a AES/EBU input.

I was mistaken. There is only a digital XLR output. Thanks j3brow, Ted.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Unfortunately, the K01X doesn't have a AES/EBU input.

The Grandioso D1 does.

[bmichels]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

.... I am somewhat frustrated by how different every USB cable sounds, while none sound as great or as right as the transport, which I consider to be the sonic baseline....
Best,
Ken

Ken, Your finding is bad news to me

indeed, 80% of my listening is High-Res music files, 19% Red-Book CDs and 1%..SACDs, and reading from the various reports from K-01x users, since I need a USB DAC AND a CD player, I thought I could go for this 1 box Esoteric solution (CD + DAC).

This solution makes sense for me ONLY IF:

- The K-01x when used as a USB DAC is at the level of those high End external DACs, AND has a musicality/emotion close to the NAGRA HD DAC (and far from analytic like the dCS that I did not liked because I use a BHSE tube AMP and a STAX SR009 electrostatic headphone, a very precise and analytic set-up which do not tolerate a dry & non-musical source. This is why I liked a lot the NAGRA HD DAC (hybride tube DAC) which bring a lot of emotion and engagement into my music, while TotalDAC, DAVE and dCS Rossini only bring details but NO emotion ).

- The K-01x is also stellar with RedBooks CD, and not only with SACD (I almost have NO SACD, only CD).

[j3brow]

bmichels,

I saw in another thread that you have listened to a number of great DACs. I can't tell you if the K01X will be the "one" for you. However, I can tell you that in my experience the USB digital input is very very good. It is in no way the forgotten red headed step child of digital inputs of which you have a choice of USB, coaxial, and optical on the K01X. I only used USB as my server was the Aurender X100L which only offered USB output. I used Wireworld Platinum 7 USB cable. IMO, the USB input sounded virtually identical to the CD transport when playing either the ripped copy or actual cd spinning. You already are well aware that the esoteric transport is world class. The USB did not disappoint in any way. Always a perfect handshake with the Aurender. The K01X is the best digital I had ever experienced in my system when I owned it.

[bmichels]

Originally Posted by j3brow

bmichels,

I saw in another thread that you have listened to a number of great DACs. I can't tell you if the K01X will be the "one" for you. However, I can tell you that in my experience the USB digital input is very very good. It is in no way the forgotten red headed step child of digital inputs of which you have a choice of USB, coaxial, and optical on the K01X. I only used USB as my server was the Aurender X100L which only offered USB output. I used Wireworld Platinum 7 USB cable. IMO, the USB input sounded virtually identical to the CD transport when playing either the ripped copy or actual cd spinning. You already are well aware that the esoteric transport is world class. The USB did not disappoint in any way. Always a perfect handshake with the Aurender. The K01X is the best digital I had ever experienced in my system when I owned it.

Thanks for your reasuring comment. I will try the K-O1x with my Amp+Headphone in 10 days and report.

I also will try to listen to the VITUS SCD-025 mk2 CD/DAC which is at the same price (anyone heard the VITUS?)