I use a Berkeley USB converter to a K03 and found similar improvements.
Hi-Res+Esoteric K-01+USB input+JR Capri S2
With the addition of the Jeff Rowland Capri S2 preamp in my system, I revisited hi-res downloads from my PC to the USB input of the K-01.
My initial impressions of hi-res through the K-01's USB input and digital volume control were disappointing as noted in another thread.
But now with the JR Capri S2 preamp in place, playing hi-res through the K-01's USB input and its balanced analogue outputs, the difference is indeed night and day. Every sonic aspect is improved to another level by leaps and bounds.
The only logical explanation for this is that hi-res needs to be played through an analog preamp to maximize the potential of its resolution. When playing through the K-01's digital preamp, the loss of bits at less than maximum digital volume becomes readily apparent during listening.
Cheers!
My initial impressions of hi-res through the K-01's USB input and digital volume control were disappointing as noted in another thread.
But now with the JR Capri S2 preamp in place, playing hi-res through the K-01's USB input and its balanced analogue outputs, the difference is indeed night and day. Every sonic aspect is improved to another level by leaps and bounds.
The only logical explanation for this is that hi-res needs to be played through an analog preamp to maximize the potential of its resolution. When playing through the K-01's digital preamp, the loss of bits at less than maximum digital volume becomes readily apparent during listening.
Cheers!