I think that feeding the Esoteric from the Marantz puts the Esoteric at a significant disadvantage.
Hi-rez DAC - Esoteric K-01 vs. Marantz NA8005
For those who have read my review of the Marantz NA8005 Network Player, and are wondering about the quality of its internal DAC, here is what I have observed after sufficient burn-in of the 8005.
For this A/B comparison, my set-up is as follows :-
A. USB flash drive -> Marantz front panel usb port -> Marantz internal dac -> single-ended analog outputs via Audioquest Lapis interconnects -> Rowland Capri S2 preamp -> Bryston 28B SST2 monoblocks -> VA The Musik speakers
B. USB flash drive -> Marantz front panel usb port -> single-ended Coaxial output via Oyaide 75 ohm BNC digital cable with BNC adapter -> Coaxial input of K-01 -> Balanced analog outputs via Kimber Select IA's -> same Preamp and power amp as above
For redbook format, the K-01 transport is way ahead.
So, I am doing this A/B for hi-rez only.
As good as the Esoteric K-01 is for hi-rez, playing the same files through the Marantz's internal dac is one big step up in SQ, wrt every sonic parameter. Moreover, the Marantz brings a pleasing light touch of warmth to the party.
I can only surmise that this result can be attributed to :-
1. More jitter via the coaxial interface between the Marantz and the K-01
2. Hi-rez is more sensitive to the additional jitter
3. The shorter signal path for the Marantz's internal dac
4. Very good analog ouput implementation of the Marantz even as they are only single-ended
5. Higher quality analog IA's from the Marantz to the preamp
compared to the Oyaide digital cable(the BNC adapters may add more jitter)
6. Higher quality hi-rez dac chips or more advanced implementation and design for hi-rez in the newer Marantz compared to the older K-01.
I will continue to use the K-01 for the several hundreds of CD's and some SACD's in my collection, but will use the Marantz direct for hi-rez files loaded into the usb flash drive.
Truth be told, I am rather surprised, albeit pleasantly, by the quality of the Marantz's internal hi-rez dac in a product that costs little more than 1k.
Happy listening.
Jon.
For this A/B comparison, my set-up is as follows :-
A. USB flash drive -> Marantz front panel usb port -> Marantz internal dac -> single-ended analog outputs via Audioquest Lapis interconnects -> Rowland Capri S2 preamp -> Bryston 28B SST2 monoblocks -> VA The Musik speakers
B. USB flash drive -> Marantz front panel usb port -> single-ended Coaxial output via Oyaide 75 ohm BNC digital cable with BNC adapter -> Coaxial input of K-01 -> Balanced analog outputs via Kimber Select IA's -> same Preamp and power amp as above
For redbook format, the K-01 transport is way ahead.
So, I am doing this A/B for hi-rez only.
As good as the Esoteric K-01 is for hi-rez, playing the same files through the Marantz's internal dac is one big step up in SQ, wrt every sonic parameter. Moreover, the Marantz brings a pleasing light touch of warmth to the party.
I can only surmise that this result can be attributed to :-
1. More jitter via the coaxial interface between the Marantz and the K-01
2. Hi-rez is more sensitive to the additional jitter
3. The shorter signal path for the Marantz's internal dac
4. Very good analog ouput implementation of the Marantz even as they are only single-ended
5. Higher quality analog IA's from the Marantz to the preamp
compared to the Oyaide digital cable(the BNC adapters may add more jitter)
6. Higher quality hi-rez dac chips or more advanced implementation and design for hi-rez in the newer Marantz compared to the older K-01.
I will continue to use the K-01 for the several hundreds of CD's and some SACD's in my collection, but will use the Marantz direct for hi-rez files loaded into the usb flash drive.
Truth be told, I am rather surprised, albeit pleasantly, by the quality of the Marantz's internal hi-rez dac in a product that costs little more than 1k.
Happy listening.
Jon.