2. digital
  3. 1368968542

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
flashunlock
175 posts
 
I do believe in break in of electronic equipment and cables but I would NEVER loop my player for hundred of hours on end for all filters and up-sampling combinations. Have you guys ever stopped for 1 min to think that all components inside your player be it a resistor, capacity, power supply etc etc all have a life span??? You are only shortening the life of all the components.
The K-01 is a great sounding player from new so why not just enjoy it and stop worrying about needing 800+ hrs of break in. Besides, if you leave the player on 24/7 like I do, most of the break in is done for you without looping a CD.

Just my 2 cent guys.
yashu's avatar
yashu
196 posts
 
Was seriously considering Esoteric as my next and final player. But it just seems like so much effort to get the proper sound. Also terribly concerned with its lean midrange.

Now considering a tube based player for the warmth and detail I desire. Perhaps one of the Audio Research players....
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Yashu, check out Luxman. I used to own Esoteric and prefer the Luxman sound.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Tubed ARC players are lovely as well.... They will probably take a similar amount of time to break in... Unfortunately, by the time the digital electronics is broken in, you might need to start changing the 6550C tube in the power supply.... If my own experience with the ARC Ref3 linestage serves at all, After 1K hours of operations, 6550C might start showing the first signs of sonic sag... Good news is that 6550Cs tubes are not expensive... And after 500 hours more, your 6550C replacement in the power supply will reach its own optimum performance... And so give you bliss for, well you know... the balance of its lifetime.

Bottomline... There are rampant rumors of free lunches somewhere... But I have not eaten one yet *grins!*

Saluti, G.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
993 posts
 
Flashunlock,
You nailed it. The sooner this obsession with break-in stops, the sooner we can begin to simply enjoy the music fron this fabulous machine. Cheers!
More to discover