Esoteric K-01

Soundsreally is an Estoeric dealer and proper ethics dictate a disclosure when endorsing a line with a financial interest.

Dealer disclosure.

Audioethic

Not sure I can live up to your high? standards..

The Esoteric site has a fairly detailed descriptive PDF for the K-01. See:
http://esoteric.teac.com/resources/pdf/k-01.pdf

It looks like K-01 uses 32-bit AKM DACs--8 per side. K-01 uses neither Burr Brown nor Analog Devices, making it potentially sounding different from X-01 D2 and P-03/D03. . This early in the game I would not venture to guess whether the K-01 exceeds the performance of the P-03/D-03 combo, or even of the X-01 D2. It is unlikely that any of the K-01 in the US right now are fully broken in. It may be a spell before we can get some detailed findings on this device.

G.

FWIW - I have the 2nd generation 32-bit AKM DACs in my APL - NWO-ME Super-DAC prototype that I use along with my upgraded Esoteric UX-1, which I believe has the Burr-Browns in it. While I realize there are way more DACs in the APL prototype, so that any comparison is 4 apples to 20, I can't help but be impressed by the AKM DACs. Pretty much more of everything and the ability to get much further into the music - like a veil or 2 are lifted.
It will be very interesting to see how the K-01 sounds, especially after break-in. The only concern I would have is accuracy vs. musicality - not sure how Esoteric will handle that. The APL uses a double tube output stage, but I didn't see any tubes in the Esoteric.

>>11-27-10: Sounds_real_audio
AudioFeil
Not sure I can live up to your high standards<<

Well I'm sure.

You can't.