Modding Esoteric Grandioso K1X

Windows X

Well-Known Member
Feb 28, 2011
138
51
935
www.fidelizer-audio.com
1651483840622.png

I really like Esoteric K1X performance and also N-01XD which shares the same PCB design with some parts changed. However, both uses MUSES03 JFET single opamp.

I like JFET design but sound signature of MUSES products I've heard aren't really my cup of tea. I'm having thoughts about replacing MUSES03 with OPA627 or AD744.

I used to modify my own and my friends' highend DACs with good results (with appropriate parts not OPA627) since we can't expect manufacturers to maintain studio sound reference given how audiophiles' preferences changed a lot since then.

But I also have a second thought about modding device and if some unrelated issues with device comes up in near future, it may not be a brightest idea to void $40k CD player's warranty.

I won't need to worry about modding used highend gears and I also modded some first hand gears myself. But modding $40k is quite high hurdle compared to $10-20k projects I did before.

Regards,
Keetakawee
 

diaZ

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2019
37
29
105
67
Dear Keetakawee,
all Muses Op Amps like Muses01 or Muses 02 or Muses 8820 are dual OP Amps and often used in Esoteric gear like N-05 or F-05 and the earlier XS series. And I share your opinion about the sound of these OP Amps.
All these Muses OP amps are begging me to be exchanged to dual OPA627 on brown dog adapters always when I find them and the exchange always worked without any complications.
The Muses 03 is different, it is even more expensive than the OPA627AP and it is really really good.
I own the N-01XD with exact the same DAC PCB and Im very contend.
But I bridged the Elcos in the output after the LME49600 Buffer with a small Wima MKP capacitor 63V, 0,22 uF on the backside of the PCB, same I do with all the Elcos for the OP Amps. There is enough place on the board.
And I dont care about warranty, I never had problems with Esoteric and always like the new performance for little money.
Please keep us informed what you found out for your player.
 
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Windows X

Well-Known Member
Feb 28, 2011
138
51
935
www.fidelizer-audio.com
Dear Keetakawee,
all Muses Op Amps like Muses01 or Muses 02 or Muses 8820 are dual OP Amps and often used in Esoteric gear like N-05 or F-05 and the earlier XS series. And I share your opinion about the sound of these OP Amps.
All these Muses OP amps are begging me to be exchanged to dual OPA627 on brown dog adapters always when I find them and the exchange always worked without any complications.
The Muses 03 is different, it is even more expensive than the OPA627AP and it is really really good.
I own the N-01XD with exact the same DAC PCB and Im very contend.
But I bridged the Elcos in the output after the LME49600 Buffer with a small Wima MKP capacitor 63V, 0,22 uF on the backside of the PCB, same I do with all the Elcos for the OP Amps. There is enough place on the board.
And I dont care about warranty, I never had problems with Esoteric and always like the new performance for little money.
Please keep us informed what you found out for your player.

Hi. After adjusting screw tightness on safe to adjust area, it sounds rounder and more organic now. I guess the infamous house sound is related to screw tightness with housing design. I guess I can enjoy without hardware modification for a while.
 

diaZ

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2019
37
29
105
67
Hello Keetakawee,
it is good to hear that you are content with the great K1X and that you can enjoy that phantastic player!
 

Windows X

Well-Known Member
Feb 28, 2011
138
51
935
www.fidelizer-audio.com
Hello Keetakawee,
it is good to hear that you are content with the great K1X and that you can enjoy that phantastic player!

Thank you. I was troubled with 'strained' sound after burn in and adjusting screw tightness to be not so tight helped me resolving 70-80% of sound issues I have with K1X. Had I realized this sooner, I would have come to love P-03/D-03 combo more back then.
 

dandylinpsst

Well-Known Member
Jun 12, 2010
68
18
1,563
Umbilical cable for Esoteric K1x and PS1

After waiting for 2 months, the special order umbilical cable finally arrived!!
This newly customized umbilical cable is composed of gold-silver alloy wire and occ copper wire.
And strictly consider the magnetic field interference problem of each group of wires (digital and analog) and do a special twisting treatment.
The conclusion is that this specially made thread breaks the seal between Esoteric K1x and PS1, it's the last mile. 35B2A36D-C7FE-41B3-8002-6161D2340813.jpg
 
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rocco1113

Well-Known Member
Feb 7, 2020
16
8
83
24
Umbilical cable for Esoteric K1x and PS1

After waiting for 2 months, the special order umbilical cable finally arrived!!
This newly customized umbilical cable is composed of gold-silver alloy wire and occ copper wire.
And strictly consider the magnetic field interference problem of each group of wires (digital and analog) and do a special twisting treatment.
The conclusion is that this specially made thread breaks the seal between Esoteric K1x and PS1, it's the last mile. View attachment 103737
Hi @dandylinpsst .. Thanks for sharing... Could you elaborate the improvement over stock cable? Where did you order this umbilical cable ?
 

Big Dog RJ

Well-Known Member
Feb 2, 2012
1,242
463
1,155
Melbourne
Yes, the P03 & D03 were formidable units. There was a pair available a while back, when I was considering the digital front upgrade... but that gear was nearing 20yrs. So I ended up with the K07-XS, and it's mighty fine!

Speaking of mighty, I was thinking of modding it's power supply to so something like this... but this particular tranny doesn't fit! Oh well, can't have it all. I guess the next viable solution is the G01-X clock (I think it was that model). 20grand for a clock, hot damn! Anyway, on further home trials it was wonderful and does meet my personal benchmark of 40% in improvement. Will give it some thought...

I've modded all my tube amplifiers to a higher Class A bias operation and it's truly remarkable! However, I still feel this tranny is the bollocks! It's very very high voltage!

Cheers mateies,
Woof! RJ
 

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