Any Esoteric fans here?

Big Dog RJ

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Feb 2, 2012
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Esoteric has a very synthetic artificial sound. It is a good transport. Unnatural sound
Nah mate, that's highly system dependent.
Each one system is completely different. You should know that by now...
Such statements made come across as the ultimate authority in highend and on thus forum.

Definitely nothing synthetic with CJ amplification matched with CLX's, hell no!

Take it easy, and enjoy those fine tunes!
Be well, Raj
 

Addicted to hifi

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Nah mate, that's highly system dependent.
Each one system is completely different. You should know that by now...
Such statements made come across as the ultimate authority in highend and on thus forum.

Definitely nothing synthetic with CJ amplification matched with CLX's, hell no!

Take it easy, and enjoy those fine tunes!
Be well, R
I agree with bonzo.
 

bonzo75

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Nah mate, that's highly system dependent.
Each one system is completely different. You should know that by now...
Such statements made come across as the ultimate authority in highend and on thus forum.

Definitely nothing synthetic with CJ amplification matched with CLX's, hell no!

Take it easy, and enjoy those fine tunes!
Be well, Raj

I have heard K01 and 01x in many systems and compared. Also lower models. Just not heard the latest.
 
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Sammy T

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My Esoteric K1 Grandioso SACD player uses 4 power transformers , problem is they are cheap non shielded transformers. We did an A / B comparison before and after I wrapped the outside of each transformer with Mu metal. The sound improvement was dramatic , no more forward sounding, soundstage went way back and out. Much more dynamic. Also changed out the crappy IEC A/C power inlet to Furutech FI 09 NCF.
 
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Sammy T

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We did the same Mod on my friends K-03 SACD player. That player has 2 transformers.
I was also night and day. More natural sounding , and more open.
 

Addicted to hifi

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My Esoteric K1 Grandioso SACD player uses 4 power transformers , problem is they are cheap non shielded transformers. We did an A / B comparison before and after I wrapped the outside of each transformer with Mu metal. The sound improvement was dramatic , no more forward sounding, soundstage went way back and out. Much more dynamic. Also changed out the crappy IEC A/C power inlet to Furutech FI 09 NCF.
Cheap transformers in such a expensive player.
 

Big Dog RJ

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Sammy, don't worry about all the jazz, and the ultimate authority in highend, Statements will be made along with ridiculous claims...

Just sit back and enjoy those fine tunes!
Trust everyone is doing exactly this!
Very best, RJ
 

Big Dog RJ

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This thread is about Vrac looking to finalise on one of Esoteric's latest XD series digital playback systems. We should all be happy for him and congratulate him on his new find.

Instead, the usual suspects have to make those ultimate claims... who cares!

Vrac, just enjoy every minute of fine resolution and detail. These systems are SOTA!
Enjoy to the fullest! Cheers mate.

Very delighted to hear about your new system.
Big woof!!! RJ
 
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Big Dog RJ

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I think we've all worked very hard to put together systems that provide us with the highest level of satisfaction and true enjoyment.

We must all respect that and be happy for one another, not downplay things... that's absolutely pointless.

Putting together a system takes several years, it's an art form, not just about money and who can afford what...

Peace to all, and do enjoy those fine tunes!
Cheers mate, RJ
 
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GSOphile

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I have heard K01 and 01x in many systems and compared. Also lower models. Just not heard the latest.
Esoteric has made a complete change to the DAC technology used in their better players away from Akai chips, which they've used for generations, to their own discrete component designs (K1X, K-01XD, K-03XD). The sound is significantly more refined and tailorable with an expanded 3D sound stage. I speak from having upgraded from a K-03X to a K-01XD. The glare that many experienced with their older players is gone.
 
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thedudeabides

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Esoteric has a very synthetic artificial sound. It is a good transport. Unnatural sound
Have you heard the new XD models and if so, how do they compare with the previous?
 

Big Dog RJ

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Yes, that's correct GSOphile,

As the models were further refined, so was everything else that came along with it. DACs chip set, transport mechanism, power supplies, the laser unit/reader (optical block), the heavier chassis etc.

However, I've not come across any sort of glare per say... most digital gear has that sort of glare/glassy effect to begin with. Probably why the change in music reproduction whenever that stylus hits those fine vinyl, there's some magic in those grooves. Once that's well setup, there's no turning back, you can listen for endless hours...

Speaking of which, I guess that's partly due to the amount of tube gear present in my system. Front end, back end and phonostage are all tube designed. Therefore, the only one item that is SS is the Eso. So I guess after a good warm-up run, that glare or glassy effect is non-existent!

I've also noticed that the K07-XS uses a high grade E-I core transformer against the toroids. Whether this has something to do with that glare or glass being null, I'm not sure. One thing I do prefer though are EI core transformers. Some of the best gear money can buy use EI cores.

I've not heard the previous X series, so I wouldn't know. However, this new XS series is much improved and the XD series is further improved. That doesn't mean the XS series is inferior because the K07-xs and K05-xs are still being manufactured. It's only the 03 and 01 that morphed into the XD version.

Whatever said by whoever, these latest generation XS series I find are still superb for the value they provide. That's where my focus is and it's great every minute of running in.

Previously owning several top digital gear, such as ARC Ref series (which had tubes!), Wadia, Meitner, Cary, Aragon and Audio Alchemy to name a few, and the last one which was a Mac, this particular Eso XS series delivers far more performance of what I'm particularly looking for.

Within a similar system few decades ago, I had the CJ's Prem8A's partnered with the ART preamp driving Apogee Diva's. At that time our primary digital gear was a CJ DV2B. It was a tube CD player with Toshiba Dac chip sets using a Phillip's transport with a Sony Laser, I think...
Boy! Was that one legendary sound! Sadly no longer made. It was only capable of 14bit rates and also incorporated a phase switch, to compensate for out of phase audiophile recordings. That also helped at great lengths, and absolutely no glare whatsoever!

Until now, particularly with this new Eso XS player that I have, once again I find myself reminiscing those days and late night listening sessions. Simply because this thing very similarly to that player, is reproducing some very fine tunes!
That's all that matters, just enjoy it and be happy!

Cheers maties, RJ
 

GSOphile

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Good points, RJ. It's the whole package and not just the DAC, although I believe the DAC change to be the most significant with the XD series. (And I should state that I have no experience with XS models.)
 
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Big Dog RJ

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For what it's worth, thought I'd just share this for those who may care to read:

This particular system is obviously quite different to the reference system we had two decades ago. Nonetheless, the brand of amplification has remained the same, even the TT rig was based on a similar Rega design. The one and only item that has changed significantly has been the digital playback system, now being Esoteric.

Since selling off the whole lot stock and barrel, back in 2004 just before heading off to Aus. Everything from the CJ Premier 8A monoblocks, ART preamp, Apogee Diva's, Meitner Dac and Meridian Transport, sold off within 1 week! To a well deserved mate who actually runs a night club!

So arriving in Aus, I had to start from scratch! Started off with a digital radio! That worked well! It was a Sony and still going strong!
So it has taken me approx 15yrs to put together this system. One forum member in particular has called it, "entry level, kitchen system, beginners system", and whatever else he's labelled it as. BTW not many folks have big enough kitchens to accommodate CLX's!

Since the last visit, which was around 6 months ago, there have been numerous changes.
1. The CJ monoblocks- after going through a calibrated Class A bias operation to produce 60w of Class A before switching into Class AB, arrived back in Feb. Then again in March they were sent back for a final Teflon cap upgrade and a full Vishay resistor upgrade. (Thus, being the most significant factor of improvement).
2. The CT5 preamp was also adjusted on power supply bias, providing higher voltage using the specialised 6N30P tubes. This makes the preamp run slightly warmer to the touch, and is pretty much an ACT2 series 3 if ever one existed.
3. The CLX's are now placed on the Iso Acoustics Gaia II's, an absolute marvel!
4. The CLX's were repositioned along with the rest of the sitting area, to form a dedicated listening area within an open plan design living room.
5. Acoustic panelling was built-in to the surrounding walls of this space. Since the wifey does not like acoustic panels hanging around, unless it was of Aboriginal art work or something like that... have to please the Mrs!
6. The Esoteric digital player has now fully run-in. So yes! It did take a while ok.
7. Forgot to mention one more item; the CJ phonostage TEA2SE was upgraded to the Max version. That definitely made a home run in my 40% personal benchmark!

Since then that person hasn't visited, and I have no intention of accommodating them either. Having said that, since lately the Esoteric has been labelled to sound "synthetic..." whatever!
That person who labelled it as synthetic hasn't even set foot into this room, so how on earth can such a statement be made? Oh! Yes he's heard of many top end Eso's in various systems that sounded synthetic, ok.

At the end of the day, there's no other system I would rather own, regardless of price or what people say. Call it entry level, call it kitchen system, call it beginners, call it synthetic, or just call it whatever you want mate.

One thing I do know is that this particular system that's taken me around 15 years to build, delivers all that is required to reproduce the best from quality recordings. In it's most simplest and purest form possible, I sincerely believe it captures the true essence of the original recording, that is provided that recording is good. It has reached the finest level I could possibly do in terns of lateral upgrades.

Other die hard CJ and ML fans who have visited lately, have commented that the CJ amplifiers sound like the ART27A in monoblock version. Another person commented that they sound like the Kondo Audio Note monoblocks... whatever! I certainly don't think so but they're entitled to their opinion. They do sound quite different to the CJ norm but still have that golden glow CJ signature sound in full glory! I made sure I didn't lose any of that.

As for me, I'm just going to sit back, pour that scotch and light that cigar! Here's a big cheers to Gsophile, Sammy T, RaChik and now we have Vrac soon to be on board.

Cheers to Esoteric! and don't forget that warm-up run-in first, it's mighty helpful!
Oh! And do enjoy those fine tunes!
Big Woof!!! RJ
 

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vrac

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Good thing I have a thick skin! Thanks for those that didn't rain on my parade!!!!
 

RaChiK

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I was of same opinion on older esoteric (before the current XD) models about being little off, forward, dry and mechanical. Thats why I bought Luxman D-10x. But D-10X was more laidback (and I am not saying it as bad), which was not of my taste (may be its my system). Then I heard the Esoteric XD series. They are one hell of DACs. I am glad Esoteric came out of the AKM chip based DACss and shifted to their own discrete DACs. Everything mentioned by others in terms of the dynamics, Resolution, 3D effect, soundstage is true and you can hear it right out of box. They get every spectrum of sound right. One true winner in my opinion. It will be great, if people stop generalizing and making vague statements on current esoteric XD series, without listening.

Happy listening.
There is always room for improving.
 

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