Hi Denon1, after break-in of Slow Delay 1 and 2, I found 4X with SLow Delay 2 to be more harmonically interesting and open sounding than Slow Delay 1. Slow Delay 1 seemed instead more tube-like, and a little limited in bandwidth. G. with Slow Delay 2 to have |
Denon1, I have heard both K-01 and K-03 at RMAF for a good number of hours over 3 days... The sound was so involving that I kept returning to the Esoteric suite for more!
I then had the phenomenal K-01 in my system for over 8 months during 2012. I preferred it over K-03 because K-01 delivers even greater image density, harmonic specificity, and an marvellous musical presentation. K-01 can sound very different depending on upsampling and filter selection. With no upsampling it can sound somewhat "matter of fact" and perhaps a little hard... As you go up with upsampling it gets more extended and detailed. I prefered its 4X upsampling setting. Filters also behave in unique ways... FIR filters seemed to me a little artificial and seemed to compress dynamics.... But apodizing Slow Delay filters are extremely enjoyable... Slow Delay 1 + 4X upsampling is the warmest and most "tube like", but I much preferred the Slow Delay 2 combined with 4X upsampling... This offered an ideal combination of wide spectral resolution, staging, imaging, harmonic exposure, and imaging/staging.... and fabulous musicality. DSD was just a little etched for my taste. You must allow between 500 and 700 hours of break in per filter before the device gives you its very best.
K-01 and K-03 can be fed directly into an amp... In a pinch, but in this configuration they sounded in my opinion a little grainy and not truly enjoyable.
If you can afford it, I recommend K-01 + a good preamp.... But if you have some budget concerns, go for K-03 and add a preamp.
The rest of my system consists of an Esoteric X-01, Rowland Criterion linestage, Rowland M725 monoblocks, and Vienna Die muzik speakers.
You will find my compact review of K-01 in the 2012 writers awards of PFO:
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue64/awards.htm
Guido |
Hi John, congrats on pulling the trigger on K-01. If I understand the manual correctly, XLR2 uses pin 2 as the hot pin, while XLR 3 assigns pin 3 to be hot. This means that, if the XLR connectors downstream are configured with pin 2 hot consistently, XLR 2 will probably sound best, but if downstream equipment is configured with pin 3 hot, XLR 3 is probably advisable. You will love K-01 on Vienna Die Muzik! Guido |
Denon1, thinking about it, there may be long term advantages in going with a pure K-01 without pre... While initially the sound may not be at the same level as K-03+C-03, you can add a pre like the C-03 at a later stage, and at that point you would exceed the performance of K-03+C-03 without the financial hit of selling a depreciated K-03..
By the way, both K-03 and K-01 are quite sensitive to the benefits of an external clock, which is something that you can add at a later time.
Guido |
"BTW, Guido is an excellent source of K-01 guidance if you choose to get one."
Hrrrumpf!
G. |
"Sorry = I left out "for a price" $$$ :-)"
Hahaha.... I only wish.... Sadly, my musings remain free of charge.... And are worth as much *grins!* G. |
Hi Denon1, to be perfectly fair, I have listened to K-01 directly into an amp only on the demo system at RMAF. It is very possible that while various filters and upsamplers on the unit were properly broken in, the volume attenuator was still raw, hence my lack of appreciation for this mode of operation. If you get a K-01 without pre, by the time you have completed break-in of about 2100 hours (700 hours on each SDLY1+4X, SDLY2+4X, and DSD), the volume attenuator will also be totally broken in, and the machine largely optimized and giving you its best. If at that time you still have a concern, you can add a pre, otherwise continue with a direct connection. Guido |
That's totally awesome Denon1! Yes, you can do the breakin largely without engaging the speakers.... Just leave the power amp on standby, so that the amplifier's inputs are active and so complete the circuit with the operating player. Particularly important, I suspect, if you use XLRs. Find a good break-in CD/SACD and play that more/less continuously.... Harve and the rest of the gang have much more info on good break-in disks than I do, so I leave it to them to make meaningful recommendations. By the way, it is worth while to turn the player completely off once a day for about an hour, and then resume break-in... This cycles capacitor charge, etc.... The result is expected to be a faster and more complete break-in.
I have created a break-in spreadsheet with MS Excell that I use to keep trak of break-in, take notes, and project break-in time and completion date.... It is a lot of fun to use... If you like, send me a PM, and I will be happy to send the spreadsheet to you. By the way, do not write any e-m-a-i-l addresses in PM, or the Audiogonic server machine will prevent msg delivery.
Saluti, Guido |
Hi John, I always used K-01 always with its transport: I never used the USB input option, hence I did not install the drivers on my PC. Guido |
Hi Audiozen, thank you for pointing out Marantz SA 11S3, I should look into it. Regarding the players under discussion in this thread, if you enjoy a "very organic
analogue quality and sound like vinyl"sound with a tube-like quality to it, you will achieve it by activating the Slow Delay 1 filter on K-01. I have never heard the Marantz SA 11S3, as such I have no idea if I would prefer it over the fabulously musical and definitely NOT sterile K-01... or my beloved old Esoteric X-01.
G. |
No need to break-in every possible combination of filters and upsampling... Start with Slow Delay 2 + 4x for about 700 hours; then ask yourself what you would like to hear more.... Are you enchanted already? You are done.... Add a few more hundred hours of further refinement, just lisening to music.
Or you want a flavor that More midrange-centric? Add 500 hours with Slow Delay 1 with 2X upsampling;
Or you would experience ultimate resolution? Add 500 hours to DSD;
Want a very different flavor? Put FIR2 for 500 hours with 4x upsampling...
By this time, the machine will be totally broken-in... filters off and upsampling off will come "for free".
Run through all possible combinations now, including the original Slow Delay 2 with 4X upsampling.... It is the favorite combination of several users, including yours truly.
Admittedly getting the best out of K-01 is a true labor of love... And it is worth it.
G. |
And a Very Happy New Year to you as well Harv... I bet your P-02/D-02 combo sounds totally awesome... Are you being tempted by the upcoming P1/D1?
G. |
