Esoteric K-01X - Digital Inputs

[SCAudiophile]

I've had very good luck with the USB inputs on my D-02 (non-X) DAC; very similar in function to the USB inputs on the K-01 (non-X) version. The X versions of both now add, as pointed out above the ability to take in native DSD streams, etc...

I found two things (not surprising really);

- the USB input path is no different than any other input on the K-01 or D-02; you have to break it in....AND
- the best mode for use is "HS_2" full async high-speed mode. Async is much better as widely known but the semi-fine print in the manuals state another important difference in that this mode alone used as input follows the unit's internal clock, or if in use, the overall benefit to the clocking of the unit via an external master clock, be it a Rb or OCXO enabled master clock. This to me is a huge difference. You need to make sure you are running the latest drivers from Esoteric that fix a 2013-early 2014 bug in the HS_2 async-handling code but other than that, it's smooth sailing. I believe the current D-02X and K-01X ship with the latest firmware in this regard. You'll want to download the latest HR Audio Player and USB driver package from Esoteric as is appropriate for you MacOSX or Windows computer...

[bmichels]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

..... You'll want to download the latest HR Audio Player and USB driver package from Esoteric as is appropriate for you MacOSX or Windows computer...

Thanks a lot for the advices. I will carefully check the set-up of the demo K-01x.

regarding the USB driver needed, what hapend when you use as a source, not a PC/MAC but a music server like Auralic Aries on which obviously you cannot load the Esoteric's driver ? ? ?

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by bmichels

Thanks a lot for the advices. I will carefully check the set-up of the demo K-01x.

regarding the USB driver needed, what hapend when you use as a source, not a PC/MAC but a music server like Auralic Aries on which obviously you cannot load the Esoteric's driver ? ? ?

Good question,...I don't know as I've not had that setup here. I would make sure that server's output supports async USB output and the other provisos found in the K-01X's manual and go from there and simply try it. Others here probably have alot more experience with this particular config so hopefully they will chime in....

[wklie]

Originally Posted by bmichels

regarding the USB driver needed, what hapend when you use as a source, not a PC/MAC but a music server like Auralic Aries on which obviously you cannot load the Esoteric's driver ? ? ?

I tested Lumin U1 USB output to the Esoteric N-05 USB input and it works normally.

Since N-05 uses similar USB technology with Grandioso K1, Grandioso D1
D-02X, and K-0*X (as indicated by the same USB driver), I expect Lumin U1 to work with these Esoteric models.

The older models K-0* without X suffix, D-02 and D-07X definitely would not work with Lumin U1.

You can also use Esoteric Sound Stream app (for N-05) to control Lumin U1, in addition to the Lumin app (because both Lumin app and Esoteric Sound Stream app are OpenHome controllers for OpenHome devices such as N-05 and Lumin U1).

[Colekat]

Originally Posted by bmichels

Thanks a lot for the advices. I will carefully check the set-up of the demo K-01x.

regarding the USB driver needed, what hapend when you use as a source, not a PC/MAC but a music server like Auralic Aries on which obviously you cannot load the Esoteric's driver ? ? ?

It's all in the manual, but I had to download a driver for the USB to recognize any input when I had my D-02. I have a Baetis and it wouldn't recognize the input until I downloaded the drivers. As for other manufacturers to input, Esoteric has a driver to recognize and input at USB.