Esoteric K-01X listening Impressions

[audible1]

Yep I'm loving my K-01x too! Amazing player. Getting better and better, sounding even better than when I first had it nearly 6 months ago.

[audiohippo]

Anyone compared it to the PS Audio Directstream DAC/Transport? I would be keen to hear them side by side, but options are limited in AU.

[MMBL622]

I just wonder when you’re using your K-01X for CD playback, do you use the Up-conversation (Up-sample) function? If yes, which option you use? 2X, 4 X, 8X or DSD? If up-sampling, how many KHZ?

Also are you using PCM? FIR-1, FIR-2, SDLY-1 or SDLY-2? Which one you perfer?

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by MMBL622

I just wonder when you’re using your K-01X for CD playback, do you use the Up-conversation (Up-sample) function? If yes, which option you use? 2X, 4 X, 8X or DSD? If up-sampling, how many KHZ?

Also are you using PCM? FIR-1, FIR-2, SDLY-1 or SDLY-2? Which one you perfer?

I have played around with the different settings but they seem to stay on 8X and SDLY-2. I believe there is another thread in the Esoteric Forum that delves into this a little more.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I love my K-01X. It is state-of-the-art. I've never regretted moving up from the K-01 for one minute. Thanks Ivan for making it happen!

FWIW, I always listen on the native sampling rate. More linearity and midrange density to my ears than upsampling. Different strokes I guess.

Ken

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I love my K-01X. It is state-of-the-art. I've never regretted moving up from the K-01 for one minute. Thanks Ivan for making it happen!

FWIW, I always listen on the native sampling rate. More linearity and midrange density to my ears than upsampling. Different strokes I guess.

Ken

Now that I'm fully burned in, I need to try the different filters again. I really only changed them in the beginning but I still wish I could do it with the remote. Not a complaint but a statement of my laziness

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Now that I'm fully burned in, I need to try the different filters again. I really only changed them in the beginning but I still wish I could do it with the remote. Not a complaint but a statement of my laziness

I too wish the remote could change sampling rate/filter AND turn unit off/on. Oh well. It makes up for it in other ways.

Remember, each and every filter and sampling rate needs its own burn in time too. Crazy I know but apparently true, somewhere around 200 hours according to esoteric.

FWIW, like most here, I leave mine on 8x/sdly2. But I will now listen to no up sample/no filter like Ken, I have never given that combo any real time in the listening chair.

[audible1]

Yes I am also using same settings as Superdave. It needs digital filter on. I use 8x oversampling, sdly-2. I thought the fir filters sounded a bit flat to my ears!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Just to clarify, I use the following settings on my K-01X:
Sampling Rate: Native
PCM Digital Filter: SDLY-2
DSD Digital Filter: DSDF On

Best,
Ken

[MMBL622]

j3brow

Yes, I also hope the remote can do the up-conversion, PCM and DSDF setting.
BTW, I have tested 8 different combinations of Up-conversion, PCM and DSDF, my final choice is:

Up-conversion = DSD
PCM = SDLY-1
DSDF = Off


To be honest, not sure if these things is not fully broke in or I have a pair of bad ear, it seem like the difference between each combination is not very significant......

BTW, I don’t know if many people prefer to use the original setting without using any up-conversation and PCM? Because original setting sounds also very nice to me.