Hello Matjet,
I was unfamiliar with APL until today. I did a little research after reading your response to my note. Your NWO 4.0 is very impressive. It appears that Esoteric may have learned a thing or two from your work. I have some questions:
Thank you for the nice words! Ever since the NWO-1 was introduced 6 years ago, Esoteric Japan is aware of my developments. In fact, their team auditioned the NWO-1 and NWO-3.0-GO at CES. They have offered great support over the years for which I am very thankful and grateful, and I am very happy that their lead-design engineering team considered evaluating the AKM DACs and now implementing them in their products!
1)Why did you not preserve the ability to use a high end external master clock with the NWO (like the Esoteric G-ORb)? Do you feel a G-ORb could improve the performance of the NWO 4.0 if the NWO allowed for use of an external clock?
What I use from Esoteric players is the enclosure, the top-line VRDS-NEO transport (the same as in their P-01) and associated DSP that is also partially re-designed. Everything else is removed. This said, the entire clocking architecture is replaced with my proprietary modules. While I am sure Esoteric had their reasons for such design, I believe that my approach brings better results and does not benefit from external clocking at all. So now the clock input is transformed to coaxial S/PDIF digital input accepting up to 192/24.
2) What is the retail price of a new NWO 4.0? How long a wait for delivery? Where can it be purchased?
The older UX-1 and X-01 players (Including their Limited Editions) featuring the top-line VRDS-NEO transport are no longer in production, sorry to say. Depending on whether you'd like Universal playback (UX-1) or CD/SCAD only (X-01) a "donor" is required for the NWO-M re-design. The donor working condition is not of concern.
This is an all-hand-made boutique (including circuit boards population with microscopic surface-mount components, and point-to-point wiring) that is built to order by me personally and is sold factory direct. Current re-design cost to NWO-M is $25,000 with 3 years warranty included and it takes 4 weeks from "donor" and deposit receipt.
3)Where can I listen to an NWO?
I have several audiophiles interested in the NWO-M, so I am flying my own unit here from Europe. It is possible to arrange audition in the beginning of 2011. Please email if interested.
4)How do you brake-in the NWO for SACD (the Isotek disc is a CD). How much time do you feel the break in process requires?
I use dynamic large orchestra classical music for SACD burn-in. I was told once that there is SACD disc available with Pink Noise track on it, but I was never able to find it. As reported by my customers, the machine takes up to 500 hours to break-in, but that is the case with most audio electronics.
What power cable(s) and interconnects do you recommend?
I use my own cables so I am unaware what else works best, sorry to say. I'd recommend low capacitance solid-core OFC cables with minimal or no shielding using conductors with reduced surface area dielectric contact. Maybe it is good idea asking other NWO owners here on Audiogon or on my forum.
Best wishes for the Holiday Season!
Alex Peychev
