Esoteric Question - is the new Grandioso K1x that much better than the Esoteric K-01xd ?

Yes  it really is.

I recently upgraded my 4 month old K-01XD for the new K1X.

 Way better layering , harmonics,wider and depper soudstage  with very obvious bass improvement , speed and impact.

Hard to believe as the K-01XD was the best one box sacd player that I ever heard, as it bettered, by a fair amount ,  my P03/ D/03 /G0s clock combo I had before it.

 The K-01 XD is exceptional and better than all previous Esoteric machines with a totally different sound. Much more organic and musical than previous Esoteric products.

......But the KIX is in a different league !

You're welcome.

Good luck on your journey

I was in somewhat similar boat. I have k-01xd and was thinking to upgrade to k1x. But I am going to see how it sounds with esoteric g-02x clock which as arrived. 

I have been using Esoteric K-01XD with G-02X master clock since past 3-4 days. The improvement is definitely not subtle. It is not going to make jaw dropping change: that is not what it is meant. Simple way of summarizing is that it makes good change in every spectrum: Adds a little sparkle to highs, little sweetness in the mids and the lows are more deep, controlled and tight. There was increase in the soundstage (vertical more than wide). A sense of air around instruments also makes this very special. It makes your DAC get better by at least 15-20%. I have not heard K1X but I was told by dealer that K1X was better than K-01XD + G-02X. Not sure about K-01XD + G-01X (more expensive masterclock) compared to K1X. 

Of note, I am using same masterclock with aurender N20 and the improvement is big. I am waiting on new masterclock BNC cables to arrive to use it with etheregen switch and SOTM Snh-10g. 

I have k-01xd which is CD player with dac. N-01xd is network player with streamer (which is not what I have). 
with regard to network switch, yes, having 2-3 switches makes it better. I had tried with single and then went up with benefit each step up. Have router > sotm snh 10-g > etheregen via fiber optic > English electric 8s > ENO acoustics 

Op, I’m on the fence on upgrading to the k1x.. but some who have it reported that its sound becomes dull if it plays for several hours or being kept on unplayed ,continuesly.

have you heard that ,or experience this issue or any degradation in sound quality from this exquisite gear? 

Hello ozy .........I have no idea or experience with that particular observation. Very strange comment and in my set up it is not true at all. I don't even know how that would even occur. I find it amazing what people say about this hobby and equipment .......please contact me if you want as I may be selling my Grandioso K1 x and moving up to the Grandioso sperates. 

Garebear,  I was reading comments onWBA , which didn’t make sense to me either, in their content.

Just wanted to double check with k1x owners.