That's goodI have a Vollenweider CD
Caverna Magic
Me too...
Okay I listen it with or without clock.
I have not listen it long time ago.
I prefer White Winds from Andreas Vollenweider.
So it's too late, I will listen it tomorrow...or later...
If the Esoteric K03Xs CD/SACD Player has harsh leading and trailing edges...
- Thread starter John57
- Start date
Me too...
Okay I listen it with or without clock.
I have not listen it long time ago.
I prefer White Winds from Andreas Vollenweider.
So it's too late, I will listen it tomorrow...or later...
John,
I have a K-03X/Gryphon Diablo 300/Magico S3 Mk2 chain. I have found, after auditioning about a half dozen XLR ICs, that these have a substantial impact on what I think you mean by 'sharpness' (also a concern of mine). In addition to an old pair of owned Transparents, I tried WW Silver Eclipse7s, Clarus Crimson, Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Excites, and ZenWave D4 & D5s. I bought the D5s, which give, to my ears, a great combination of the tone I'm looking for without sacrificing transparency. For the record, I play mostly classical orchestral music with lots of piano and strings. The K-03X's PC is an AQ Hurricane Source.
A few months ago I had a Luxman D-08u loaner in my system for about a week. Very impressive. A more analogue presentation than the Esoteric with soundstage depth that my Esoteric lacks. Interested in Luxman's forthcoming D-10X as well as the new Esoteric FPGA-based players below the K1X.
I have a K-03X/Gryphon Diablo 300/Magico S3 Mk2 chain. I have found, after auditioning about a half dozen XLR ICs, that these have a substantial impact on what I think you mean by 'sharpness' (also a concern of mine). In addition to an old pair of owned Transparents, I tried WW Silver Eclipse7s, Clarus Crimson, Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Excites, and ZenWave D4 & D5s. I bought the D5s, which give, to my ears, a great combination of the tone I'm looking for without sacrificing transparency. For the record, I play mostly classical orchestral music with lots of piano and strings. The K-03X's PC is an AQ Hurricane Source.
A few months ago I had a Luxman D-08u loaner in my system for about a week. Very impressive. A more analogue presentation than the Esoteric with soundstage depth that my Esoteric lacks. Interested in Luxman's forthcoming D-10X as well as the new Esoteric FPGA-based players below the K1X.
Thanks for sharing here GSOphile. Nice system. I’m sure it plays transparent.
That’s two more votes for the Luxman solution. Interesting. The focus on IC’s I’ll try some alternatives tomorrow too. Thanks again.
John,
I believe there is significant unanimity regarding the "analogue like" sound quality of the Luxman CDP's for those who have tried / heard other brands and have gone the Luxman route. Big question is whether they are going to have two or three models with their new releases. Reason I say that is because the now discontinued D06-u (based on two well informed individuals familiar with the product line) got within 90% of the D08-u SQ / performance for about half the price.
I believe there is significant unanimity regarding the "analogue like" sound quality of the Luxman CDP's for those who have tried / heard other brands and have gone the Luxman route. Big question is whether they are going to have two or three models with their new releases. Reason I say that is because the now discontinued D06-u (based on two well informed individuals familiar with the product line) got within 90% of the D08-u SQ / performance for about half the price.
Good morning.
Thanks for these insights. I appreciate the time you’ve taken here.
If anyone wants to ship me their Luxman to demo I’ll pay the shipping by DHL...
I get very special rates with them across the globe.
hello everybody,
John, with your system, I try to do this :
- first : buy one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and connect it in your Esoteric amplifier. I say that because I have buy one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and test it in my CD player and in my pre-amplifier too. So the result is : best with the preamplifier...
- second : because you have already a clock, if you are happy with the Furutech Flux 50 NCF with the amplifier, buy a second one for the CD player.
That's what I do for my system.
Few people says that Furutech Flux 50 NCF doesn't work well with Shunyata power cord...
My power cord are DIY and cost me around 50 dollars...My priority is to change my loudspeaker by perhaps Magnepan.
So 10 power cords at 1500 dollars each is the price of my loudspeakers...It's funny...
I can say with the Grimm CC1, the sound is more defined, 3 dimensions, no harsh...
BUT the big difference is : 2 Flux 50 NCF and the clock...I don't recognize my loudspeaker....and my sytem too...
I know, it's difficult to believe me...Try one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and tell me if you have the same sensation ?
John, with your system, I try to do this :
- first : buy one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and connect it in your Esoteric amplifier. I say that because I have buy one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and test it in my CD player and in my pre-amplifier too. So the result is : best with the preamplifier...
- second : because you have already a clock, if you are happy with the Furutech Flux 50 NCF with the amplifier, buy a second one for the CD player.
That's what I do for my system.
Few people says that Furutech Flux 50 NCF doesn't work well with Shunyata power cord...
My power cord are DIY and cost me around 50 dollars...My priority is to change my loudspeaker by perhaps Magnepan.
So 10 power cords at 1500 dollars each is the price of my loudspeakers...It's funny...
I can say with the Grimm CC1, the sound is more defined, 3 dimensions, no harsh...
BUT the big difference is : 2 Flux 50 NCF and the clock...I don't recognize my loudspeaker....and my sytem too...
I know, it's difficult to believe me...Try one Furutech Flux 50 NCF and tell me if you have the same sensation ?
Hi HKFF
My system already has x10 NCF treatment. My power chords alone include Furutech terminals and loads more shielding than the NCF 50. I think the photo I sent you earlier showed you their construction. They are not DIY like yours. They are specifically designed and built to rid RFI EMI. And that’s just my power chords. As I mentioned also. All my components starting with my K03Xs are fully treated internally to paint the entire boards wrap dampen shield and control EMI RFI. These patented methods render my equipment at a way different level of protection against EMI RFI than stock equipment. Consequently they run silent and do not suffer from noise from power or environmental radiated noise like stock equipment does. Indeed, it is this purity of signal processing in my unit that is largely revealing the original sound signature of the K03Xs.
I asked my upgrade guy about the NCF. He replied it’s somewhat works not nearly as strong an impact as the TimePortal power chords I’m using.
So I return to choice of player as the first line of further inquiries.
I’d like to try some alternatives when I have the chance.
Hi John,
http://www.furutech.com/2016/08/23/13623/
This is filter.
Don't buy it on ebay, it's fake.
So I'm just to share my experience.
I'm sorry to not help you.
Thanks to propose me to listen Andreas Vollenweider : it's a good album. I have forget it.
The harp is not harsh : I have listen Belladonna...even after 2 minutes, the harp is clear but not metallic.
It's not easy to help you - sorry...
I think before you buy exp cables try some cheap room treatments. Also does your speakers have driver level controls. next less tow in. I have heard the esoteric
transport many times. It’s a solid sounding product that to me has little sound of its own. just my thoughts.
Cables can cause issues but rarely fix them. To me they allow a fine tuning of tone over all. If you have a hardness or harshness I would not say try new cables. Cables change the tone by a varying imp and line capacitance. It’s very predictable if you measure the cables and know the output and input of the connecting devices.
transport many times. It’s a solid sounding product that to me has little sound of its own. just my thoughts.
Cables can cause issues but rarely fix them. To me they allow a fine tuning of tone over all. If you have a hardness or harshness I would not say try new cables. Cables change the tone by a varying imp and line capacitance. It’s very predictable if you measure the cables and know the output and input of the connecting devices.
In my research of alternatives here’s a comparison of the Acoustic Research DAC 9 with the PS Audio Memory Player and DS DAC.
https://www.soundstageultra.com/ind...h-foundation-dac9-digital-to-analog-converter
In sum of that one, the Memory Player wins.
https://www.soundstageultra.com/ind...h-foundation-dac9-digital-to-analog-converter
In sum of that one, the Memory Player wins.
Thanks for your offer to see my room.
It’s not generally advisable from an insurance point of view to post such pics in the open. Suffice it to say other speakers and players in the same location do not have the same issues. There’s loads of furniture two couches a thick floor rug and lots of clutter to absorb such energy.
My focus is necessarily different. I prefer to manage such artifacts at their source. Hence my looking for alternative players.
I’m good with that. Thanks.
It’s not generally advisable from an insurance point of view to post such pics in the open. Suffice it to say other speakers and players in the same location do not have the same issues. There’s loads of furniture two couches a thick floor rug and lots of clutter to absorb such energy.
My focus is necessarily different. I prefer to manage such artifacts at their source. Hence my looking for alternative players.
I’m good with that. Thanks.
The harp is electronic but not sharp in my setup.
Passaggio - Einaudi By Lavinia is more like a real harp sounds.
Powercords did make a real difference in my setup.
And the placement of
ACUSTICA APPLICATA
daad.
And i believe in Elrod PC but so expensive.
Your choices are fine. But I do feel fixing your issues may limit ambiance and cause some rolled off highs. but please keep us posted how this goes and good luck.
Dear All
Thank you for this ongoing convo.
I have a question.
My current approach is to change the CD player for something less analytical and sharp.
My question is could the issues I’m having with the Esoteric be addressed satisfactorily with just a change in DAC. For eg., if I introduced the Aries Cerat Helene DAC renowned for its transparency clarity and dynamic range. https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=aries-cerat.eu/images/pdf/HeleneDAC.pdf
This assumes my issue is derived from the DAC internally inside the K03Xs. That it’s tone and implementation are bringing out the worst of the music signal. Extremes that in my system I perceive as sharp. Because that’s the only component in the chain we are changing.
Any guidance here most welcome...
Thank you for this ongoing convo.
I have a question.
My current approach is to change the CD player for something less analytical and sharp.
My question is could the issues I’m having with the Esoteric be addressed satisfactorily with just a change in DAC. For eg., if I introduced the Aries Cerat Helene DAC renowned for its transparency clarity and dynamic range. https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=aries-cerat.eu/images/pdf/HeleneDAC.pdf
This assumes my issue is derived from the DAC internally inside the K03Xs. That it’s tone and implementation are bringing out the worst of the music signal. Extremes that in my system I perceive as sharp. Because that’s the only component in the chain we are changing.
Any guidance here most welcome...
@thedudeabides
TDA
I’ve just been told the new Luxman CDP is due for release in April at $5995 AUD. In Australia. I hope to be there and see if I can score a listen.
Maybe, but if you are using the Esoteric as a transport into a non-Esoteric DAC, you will not be able to play SACDs (or the SACD layer of hybrid discs) through this DAC..
I use a Mark Levinson N 360S DAC, more warmer but more detailled...
Yes, I agree...It's an old DAC, but....what a DAC...!
Not sure which model you're referring to, but I've heard the upcoming TOTL Luxman D-10X CD/SACD player will retail at $20K in USD.
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