Esoteric K01. How good is it really?

[caesar]

The Analytic Sound has just called the Esoteric K01 as tops. But the schmoes, as helpful as they are to their readers, have failed to compare it to anything else good. And no, they are not trusted just to be taken at their word.

Has anyone compared this unit to others in the top tier? Where does it excel and where does it fall short compared to other greats?

 

[LenWhite]

The Audio Federation (EMM Labs authorized dealer) posted this comparison http://audiofederation.com/blog/archives/887 of the EMM Labs XDS1 vs. the Esoteric K01.

I attended the 2011 RMAF specifically to hear the EMM Labs XDS1, Playback Designs MPS-5, dCS Puccini, and Esoteric K01. Although show conditions are problematic, I thought they were all awesome players. But for me the XDS1 not only had great resolution and dynamics, but sounded more analog than the others. My second choice would have probably been the MPS-5 or K01 - I thought the Puccini had the coldest sound.