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Esoteric K01: What are the best settings for CD?

The Esoteric K01 has several up-conversion and filter options for CD play-back. Unfortunately, each up-conversion option and each filter option requires approximately 500 hours of 'break-in' to sound it's best. I have owned the Esoteric K01 since it's release. It is a superb SACD and CD player. I have 'broken in' some but not all filter and up-conversion settings. I am still unable to decide which combination I like best. I am currently using S_DLY1 (for digital filter) and 2Fs (for up conversion). I would like to know what settings other Esoteric K01 owners like best. It would be helpful if If you can explain why those settings sound better to you than other combinations. I wonder which settings the experts at Esoteric/Teac would recommend?
matjet
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
I read The Absolute sound review of the K-01, Remarkable player indeed!, I am sure the unit stands as one of the Best available!The unit would be perfect for my system!,I stand by my above post!, I do not believe I would have the patience for this player!, I wished I could sustain the heart aches of owning such a unit!,I mean,after the thousands of hours total of break-in of all the filter settings and up-sampling, you still have to go thru 2 to 4 hours of warm up time for the player to sound its Best!, Wow!
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth, just leave K-01 on when you are not using it... the player sounds wonderful without any pre-listening playing time.... but if you have the patience of letting it play a couple of CDs in the background before critical listening, you will maximize its capabilities, and K-01 will give you truly amazing results.

But if you really insist throwing it out the window... please be careful.... Vertebral dislocation is apparently not covered by TEAC extended warranty. G.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
@ Guidocorona, LOL!, The K-01 is a fine unit!, No question about it!I am glad you advised me about leaving the unit on!, However, after reading this thread, I was very disapointed in what a user of this unit would have to go thru to enjoy it!, cheers!
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
That's understandable Audiolabyrinth... to maximize enjoyment of Esoteric components, a steadfast patience is golden. G.
matjet OP
111 posts
 
PERSPECTIVE: I owned the Esoteric X01D2 for several years before replacing it with the K01. I owned a Krell cd/sacd player (top of the line, I can't remember which model) prior to the X01D2. The X01D2 sounds much better than the Krell right out of the box, there is no comparison. The K01 sounds much better than the X01D2 on all settings, right out of the box, without warm up. The improvement is very obvious, A-B comparison is not required to appreciate how much better the K01 is than the X01D2. The Esoteric K01 is the best cd/sacd player I have ever heard, regardless of settings, warm-up and break-in. This is a fantastic cd/sacd player. The differences between each setting, break-in and warm-up improvement is subtle compared to the improvement over the X01D2.
I am absolutely delighted with the sound, build quality and operation of this beautiful machine.
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