Unsatisfied with Esoteric K-01: Alternatives?

@Azjake: The Accuphase gear does look very interesting, but super-expensive as well, especially for the two-box combo. I'll make it a priority to try it out, though.

@Guidocorona: I do have the K-01 in balanced mode. I'm not a fan of the DSD filter on CDs, though it does seem to sound different than the DSD filter on SACDs. The only thing I dislike about its performance on SACDs is a dry, recessed midrange that over-emphasizes the treble and bass. I'm a mids freak so this is a major con for me. Luckily, my SACD collection is small compared to my CD/FLAC collection. As for the Esoteric clock, I did audition and honestly couldn't tell any difference at all. I can't imagine why a clock would be at all useful for a single-box player. As for cabling, I use Virtual Dynamics, which are copper cables with a house sound that's very rich and full, so the lack of warmth/richness I'm hearing in the K-01 certainly isn't a cabling problem. I don't have any conditioning, but have my system running directly to two dedicated lines. I usually listen late at night so I've never thought power conditioning would help much on my system.

@Dob: For Vibration control I have a Monaco Modular Rack. Getting a wood-based stand might help, but I can't imagine it helping to the degree I'm talking about. As for a server, I had a custom PC built to the specifications that Goodwin's audio recommended (basically the PC is isolated and dead-quiet, built specifically as use as a server, accessing my music from an off-network Synology NAS).

@Autosports:

If you are talking musical versus analytical, both two players are among the most full bodied, warm, musical machines out there. There is something very wrong going on if that is not coming through.

I think the only thing that's "wrong" is that it isn't as full bodied, warm, and musical compared to my old Reimyo. I haven't changed any of my equipment since I went from the Reimyo to the K-01, so it would be awfully strange if my other equipment was the problem as opposed to the K-01.

Hi No1willfan. You are right, I was very surprised as well that the G-0S clock made any difference on K-01, let alone a marked difference. On the other hand, to say it with Igor Stravinsky... I tend to judge the tree by its fruits, not by its roots. *grins!*

Reading your previous couple of posts, I suspect that no matter what, K-01 may never be able to become your cup of tea.... While some of us consider K-01 extremely refined and musical for what we perceive as an evenly filigreed presentation across the frequency spectrum, particularly in SDly2 4X, the device does not attempt to be a champion of midrange bloom, and even in SDly1 4X it gives midrange bloom only lip-service.

Saluti, G.

At this price level, I would explore the MSB line. Their transports will send SACD digitally to their DACs using proprietary I2S, and they are supposed to be very musical DACs. I will get one myself this week to confirm the theory.

@Guidocorona: Yes, I'm thinking the K-01 simply isn't my cup of tea. I still very much believe it's a reference level player, but at this level it really is about individual preference. There are numerous things the K-01 does better than my old Reimyo, including treble/bass extension, dynamic impact, and macro-detail, but I still feel something is missing when I listen to, eg, female vocalists that were so magical on my Reimyo and now sound rather lifeless and dry on the K-01. On the other hand, the K-01 is more exciting than the Reimyo on large-scale, dynamic music, but I tend to listen to smaller-scale stuff more often.

@Edorr: I do have my eye on MSB's products, but they are also very expensive and I dislike two-box options. Still, they're something I'm considering.