Esoteric X-01 D2

Your response to the X01-D2 may vary depending on the voicing of the remainder of your system and the choices you make with respect to a power cord, isolation and interconnect. In my case, I replaced an existing X01 Limited Edition and could not be happier. Several suggestions: (i) the isolation feet that are provided with the unit are very good but not as good as the Finite Element cerabases which work very well with the Esoteric, particularly if the unit is sited on a Finite Element stand; (ii) the Esoteric really works well with the top of the line Mexcel 7N power cord which mitigates a slight tendency of the unit to sound dry and overly analytical; my guess is that the top of the line Shunyata's would also work well; (iii) the unit sounds best running in balanced mode into a true balanced preamp; and (iv) again the top of the line Mexcel 7N balanced interconnects are an extremely nice match for the unit. Given that Acrolink and Esoteric are related companies in Japan, it is not surprising that a certain synergy exists. By the way, try the various decoding options. They all sound different.

Thanks fo rthe great reponses gentleman. Sounds like a very nice player with extreme build quality. I am very attracted to the quality level of their transport. Fcrowder, I'll check out Acrolink power cords. Right now, I have XLR Stralth metacarbons as my cables running from pre to player, so I;ll try those out when I get this player. I'll check out the power cords as well.

Huntermusic, appreciate the fine review. Glad you like it as I just ordered one with out an audition. Auditions are impossible for me as I live very rurally in Montana, but I went on faith. Good to hear some other folks are having good expereinces.

Cheers,
Peter

have you guys tried putting any type of wieght on the top plate of the plaayer. I know with my AA prestige, i put some HRS plates on top and it improved the bass and imaging. Any experiments like that with the D2?

Peter

Peter, congrats on ordering the D2. I have only heard the X01ltd but I understand the D2 is superior. I love my Esoteric and hope to move up to either the D2 or the P3D3 soon. Please let me know what you think of it when it arrives. My feeling is that you are going to be amazed at all the additional detail, nuance, and subtlety you hear. It will be like listening to different versions of songs you know well. Enjoy!

I like this thread so here are some more thoughts:

I am not usually a tweaker but might consider some trial and error with isolation. My equipment is in an Arcici rack and the whole system is so dead quiet that I can hear the studio resonance and some A/C system rumble on certain recordings.

The best thing about the Esoteric D2 is its ability to make listening at moderate or lower volume as pleasureable as when I can listen loudly. This makes it possible to me to enjoy music far into the night when others are sleeping

I also just added a new BAT 52se preamp into the system and that is sounding like big upgrade on my Pass x-1 (which always sounded good to me).

The most remarkable thing about the Esoteric is that so many recordings now sound different from one another--what I was trying to say about the unit not having its own sound. And these are recordings that I know well for many, many years. When you add in the multiple DAC units it really gives the ability to fine tune source material. The differences in the way the DAC units sound are most noticeable on vocals; not only in the sound quality of the vocals but also in the perspective (for example in opera recordings) where one can hear the voice sitting into or in front of the orchestra or band.

I am running Purist Audio Venustas IC cables and a Shunyata power cord. These were in my system before and I am going to keep it at that for the forseeable future.

I too bought it without an in-home audition (in fact any audition at all) but I do trust the dealer I work with and his recommendations have been right on about equipment in the past (great prices too). I would be happy to communicate privately with anyone for the recommendation.

next up: new speakers. but right now the system sounds gorgeous. And I feel that I have at least a year or more of just listening to all my CDs and about fifty unopened SACDs before I get any more upgrade vibes.