Mini-Review Esoteric D-07X DAC

[kfr01]

Listening and Other Impressions of D-07X

I've now spent a few weeks with the Esoteric D-07X and continue to be thrilled. This post will contain some thoughts regarding this new DAC.

I should preface any further comments by explaining that I truly enjoyed the sonics of the Wadia 121 DAC, the DAC being replaced by the D-07X. The Wadia 121 DAC had settled into a DAC with some serious drive. Notes played via the Wadia 121 are big and passionate yet detailed. Comparative comments contained in this post regarding the sonics of the Wadia 121 versus the D-07X should in no way be construed as a put down of Wadia 121 -- Wadia has a sonic winner for an amazing price in the 121 DAC.

As I have mentioned in some other posts, my motivation for changing DACs primarily relates to the user interface of the Wadia 121 DAC. Given my operation of DACs direct-to-amplifier (the DAC serving as my preamplifier), the user interface is critically important to me.

The Wadia 121 did not serve my needs in the user interface department. From a distance I could not visually identify the engaged input, sampling rate, or volume level. The remote on the 121 is also of the squishy variety (literally, the buttons are those little raised plastic bubbles) which do not result in discrete tactile up/down positions.

Therefore, my search began at RMAF for a DAC that could also serve as a good digital preamplifier in a direct-to-amplifier arrangement. I have also been wanting to try a DAC with apodizing filters, as I believe the time domain to be important (my selection of the Vandersteen 5A speakers are a result of this belief).

When Ivan picked up the Esoteric line, I began considering the Esoteric D-07X in earnest. I'm a bit of a data junkie, so I searched for detailed information about the D-07X. Unfortunately, it is new enough that very few reviews or online comments exist. The few things I learned in my research were as follows:

- The Esoteric D-07X DAC is an improvement on the D-07 on both the digital front and the analog.
- Jitter reduction facilities were improved relative to the D-07.
- Asynchronous USB to 24/192 was added relative to the D-07.
- Circuits were reorganized to improve measured noise levels.
- Esoteric has LOWERED the price relative to the old D-07 (very cool of a company like Esoteric to lower the price to entice buyers)

These items intrigued me greatly. A good Asynchronous 24/192 USB interface is critical for me. I would not consider buying a DAC without one.

Questions remained: Does the D-07X come with a remote? Can the remote be used to adjust the volume, switch sources, and to conduct full "preamplifier" like control? Is the display nice? Do the great specifications result in pleasing sonics? Are the drivers flawless with Apple's Mac OS?

Have I built enough suspense like real reviewers?

In short, the Esoteric D-07X has blown me away in every possible respect. In a failing effort to prevent straight up gushing, here’s a bullet list of thoughts and impressions:

--The remote is not included with the D-07X. It is around $300, but is brilliant. It is heavy, leather backed, back-lit buttons, very responsive buttons, and real buttons (yay).

--The display is very clear. It is possible to dim or brighten the display from the remote. It is also possible to set a display “off time.” Pressing a button after the display turns itself off causes the display to smoothly turn on.

--The volume is variable in 0.5db increments. Holding down the up or down buttons on the remote cause the volume changes to be accelerated.

--While the unit does not have analog inputs, the D-07X operates as a full function digital preamplifier. It operates beautifully direct-to-amplifier.

--The USB drivers are flawless under Mac OSX. For that matter, the operational stability of the D-07X has been flawless. I have not noticed one glitch in operation.

-- The D-07X allows a default maximum output voltage adjustment by 6db. This is very important, in my opinion, for anyone wanting to run a DAC as a preamplifier. It is surprising to me that more DAC manufacturers don’t get this.

-- The D-07X offers some nice features that allow a listener to customize the sound. Particularly, the D-07X allows one to control whether the unit up-samples to 2x native sampling rate, 4x sampling rate, upsamples to DSD, or whether upsampling should be disabled. The unit also provides 5 different digital filters. Two are apodizing, and remove pre-ring from the impulse response. All of this stuff can be changed on the fly from the remote to allow critical listening to the audible changes. This is a good thing, and I think this is one of the trends we’ll see in DACs. I am happy that the D-07X is ahead of the trend in this respect. I am also happy to see apodizing filters in use. I think time domain performance is important: more speaker manufacturers are finally getting on board, and I wish more DAC manufacturers offered apodizing filter options. During my critical listening, I selected the apodizing filter and the DSD upsampling. It is what sounded best in my system. Your mileage may vary. I love that the Esoteric D-07X allows one to play around with settings that affect the synergy. I imagine that an Esoteric product would fit into a variety of systems due to the number of options for tailoring the sound that are available.

-- The sound of the D-07X has blown me away. Particularly with the apodizing filter, the sound is very natural and does not draw attention to itself. I find myself listening to the music more than the equipment with the D-07X. A serious danger of the D-07X is that you will be tempted to spend hundreds of dollars a week on new music from HDtracks and Amazon. If this concerns you, then you should continue using a DAC which does not emotionally involve you in the music.

-- One warning, particularly with the apodizing filter: you will think your bass has become leaner. You will quickly realize, however, that your bass has become more accurate due to the note hitting without any pre-ring. The effect is wonderful. The bass kicks will surprise you; more like a real concert. The bass, as well as just about everything else, is faster, more 'live' and more 'musical' with the D-07X and the apodizing filter selected.

-- Alright, at this point I’m just going to start gushing over the sound of the Esoteric DAC, so I’ll stop. It is good. Very good.

[Volks]

Excellent review Karl!.....i enjoyed it very much

[cmalak]

Karl...thx so much for sharing your thoughts on the D-07X. I am intrigued by it, although I am also considering the K-07/K-05. Do you know if the D-07X's DAC and analog output section is similar to the K-07? (Forgive me if I have already asked you this in another thread)

[kfr01]

Cyril --- The K-07 uses the same DAC chip (AK4392) as the D-07X, has the same max. analog output level, the same 5 filters, and both offer Asynchronous USB.

The K-05 (more expensive) uses a slightly quieter DAC chip (AK4399).

[Ritmo]

Karl - Nice review of the D-07X. Glad you are enjoying this new DAC. Keep us updated as it continues to break in.

Cyril - I'm considering the K-05. It has the upgraded transport system. This may be the last CD/SACD player I buy since I'm also moving to a computer based digital front end.

[Masterlu]

Karl... Great review, it pleases me very much that you are enjoying your new D-07X

[joeinid]

Great review Karl. Thank you for the great explanation of features. Well done.

[Still-One]

Karl
Your review makes me realize why I enjoyed having the original D-07 in my system.

[bakerman]

Nice review Karl. I'm glad you found a DAC that works the way you want it to in your system. Also thanks for listing the differences between the D-07 and D-07X models.

[mbovaird]

Nice review. It's now on my list for a future cd/SACD player!