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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
washline
202 posts
 
Yup. Guido up there turned out to be right, but I came to the same conclusion not after a massive break in of that particular setting but after the break in of the other setting. I think using the K-01 over a period of time with one setting does positively affect the break in of other settings as well.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
How would you gentleman describe the sound stage of the esoteric K-01, and K-03 players, roll a front and center, roll h and center, ect..., where is the sound stage placement?
washline
202 posts
 
The first thing that struck with me about the K-01 was how mammoth the soundstage was--wall to wall, front to back. It was giving my vinyl rig a real run for its money.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
986 posts
 
I fully concur with Washline as regards the mammoth soundstage. What's also satisfying is that the K-01 provides cues for an excellent sense of the acoustic space within the hall or recording studio.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Audiolabyrynth, on my system, consisting at the time of Rowland Criterion linestage, Rowland M725 monos, Vienna Die Muzik speakers, and a loom of top flight Aural Symphonics wires, I perceived K-01 staging as follows:

Slow Delay 2 with 4X upsampling: Images starting at front of speakers with excellent layering and depth.

FIR 1 and 2: barely behind front grill of speakers, but perceivably shallower than Sdly2.

DSD: Somewhat front of speakers with superior 3D development.... Even deeper than Slow Delay 2.

G.
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