Kusina, I own a Teac Esoteric X-01 with approx 650 hrs on it. I listen almost exclusively to classical music--mostly chamber and vocal, with some symphonic works. The rest of my system consists of: ARC LS2B (to be replaced by ARC Ref 3), Rowland 7M monos, MagnePan 3A. It is true that X-01 out of the box may sound somewhat etched, with a forward and excessive treble. You will hear that quite easily in most recordings with high strings, high brass, and even some cembalo. While soundstage, midrange and bass open up rather rapidly, the treble does take longer, and some anomalous and displeasing treble energy can be detected up to about 450 hours of break-in. It was at that very point that I was hearing what I can only define as a residual burr in the upper violin strings in high fingering positions on Lara St. John playing Bach violin solo works. Another 150 hrs of break in time appears to have cured the remaining problem. I listen to the X-01 also on Babybear's system on a regular basis: there is absolutely nothing inherently hard or thin or sterile about a well broken in X-01. The extension and harmonic structure is rich and well fleshed out across the spectrum; Micro and macro dynamics is splendidly defined, but not overblown for my type of music, transients are equally correct, detail is out of this world; Soundstage is large and three dimensional, instrument imaging is extremely precise. Overall a splendid machine with a great pulsating and emotional heart! Downsides? yes, plenty! This is like an Arabian Thoroughbread horse. . . it is incredibly sensitive to its power chord upstream, and to what is downstream. A PC can make it sound glaring and slightly chesty (Epiphany), or too dark and hard (some PS Audio), extended but thin (Nordost Valhalla), very sweet but with slightely de-emphasized dynamics, transients and treble (DCCA); or absolutely glorious extended fleshed out and controlled (Shunyata Anaconda Alpha) -- yes, that's what I said, Alpha, not VX, which I will instead test by the end of the coming weekend. Sorry I will not comment about Reimyo, as I have not heard it.
In a nutshell . . . this is a magnificent player for classical music lovers. Note, I own only two SACDs.
In a nutshell . . . this is a magnificent player for classical music lovers. Note, I own only two SACDs.