Hey RaChik,
Haven't heard all of them but two more models in their top of the line with the Clock and without, was an absolute marvel!
At that level, I was wondering what on earth could possibly be better? How much more of an improvement is it, and can the extra spend be justified? Then when I did audition the comparison between the two top line units and clock (G01x) my findings were basically based on two points:
1. The higher up in models, you get incremental improvements, such as more rigid power supplies, further stability in the transport mech, further features in settings (filters, playback modes & upsampling) and much quieter mechanisms/motors. Speaking of incremental, maybe I put it too lightly because they are certainly not incremental but rather definite improvements that only the person buying can justify, based on their finances and improvement criteria.
2. My personal benchmark of improvement has to be at least 35 - 40% for me to justify it. I will accept 30% as bear minimum, otherwise I will not engage in such expenditure. The Clock meets and surpasses that personal benchmark!
The only problem for me, and may not be an issue for you, is that down unda the G01x goes for around 20grand $AUD. That's nearly 4 times the price I paid for the K07-Xs. This is just a single Clock we're talking about. When I did get the opportunity for a home trial, I really wasn't expecting anything that significant but Oh My! What a fine piece of machinery, it's superb!
Now, the only thing I need to justify with the Mrs is that this so called 40% in improvement can be heard very very clearly... however she doesn't feel the dire need for it! On scale of 9/10, she's usually right, plus everything sounds fantastic until you do actually try one of those clocks. So for now, trying to keep out of the dog house..., and just settling in with the first unit I've got from Eso, I guess this is something that I'm extremely pleased with. That G01x is definitely on my radar, and I'll revisit the thought again sometime later.
Perhaps by then, Eso may have even introduced a new Clock, who knows. One thing for sure is, those Eso techs really know how to shift gears in terms of performance it's similar to a top tier Lexus that you will be very pleased with... until you actually drive a Lambo that you will be thrilled with! Both very pleasurable to drive and own but one of them certainly has the edge.
I guess that's why the G01x costs so much.
There's one chap here who actually owns the monoblock DACs. We've been trying to arrange a visit but this covid lockdown that we're still in is not helping. So I'll leave that as well for later but just to experience this sort of gear in well laid out systems, is always a learning curve for me. Not that I'm ever going to purchase these one day...
Others experiences may obviously vary, and some owners will tell you that upgrading to the K01XD or K1X is the way to go, and it certainly is!
Even at that level, adding the external Clock just shifts the whole dimension, just like those paddle shifters in those super cars, it's the thrill and the extra edge that's comes into play.
Cheers mate, let us know how it goes and what you decide on. I'm sure with a few trials you'll be able to figure out what I'm referring to.
Best, RJ
Oh! And enjoy those fine tunes!