Hello all....
My humble apologies for not posting for a while. The K-01 is a daunting beast when it comes to burn in. Each freakin' setting requires its own 500 hours of burn in, which is slow and makes for a boring posting period. Again, apologies.
At this time, I have burned in:
S-dly2/4x upsampling - 500+ hours
DSD/0 upsampling - 500+ hours
S-dly1/4x upsampling - complete on 11/7
Once done, I will sit and decide which of the settings I like the best. I have purchased a few SACD's to enjoy during that session, although I have ripped my current 16/44 demo song list onto CD as well to keep things red book for a fair and equal comparison.
Once I have decided which setting I like best, I will then burn that setting in another 500 hours while simultaneously burning in the USB input from my computer to compare the K-01 as a standalone DAC with my lovely ODSE. Sorry again, but to get the most from the K-01 really requires a lot of time. As far as I am concerned, a well burned in piece of kit has a higher value then something brand new....
From my reading, I have read the USB conversion system in the K-01 is not the best. My expectation is that my ODSE will beat the K-01 as a DAC for my Mac; but I remain open minded until the notes hit my ears. I still think that the ODSE's Off Ramp USB conversion tech gives it a huge advantage.... That said, the performance of Alex's DAC was exceptional and he was implementing some newer USB conversion tech (as he described). I am waiting anxiously for Steve's new ODSX to hit the shelves; I have very very high expectations...
Please remember that Steve is here because I invited him. I think he has been appropriate and professional all along. Never criticizing others negatively and frequently adding a level of technical knowledge I, for one, woefully lack.
Also remember that I didn't really buy the K-01 to use as a DAC; I bought it to have a top tier SACD source.
I have no doubt that the new Berkeley unit is stellar, and I will watch closely for a good deal to come up so that I can grab one and try it in my room. Feel free to PM me if you see a good deal on one.
Speaking of my room, I should be starting construction on my dedicated listening room in a few weeks. 15' x 18.5' x 9' dedicated room just for me and my stereo. No windows, 1 door. All switches, outlets, fixtures exactly where I want them to put treatments where they need to go and make the room sound its best. I have high hopes that it will take my system to another realm entirely, considering how good it sounds now in such a bad room.
I believe I will eventually use a combination of treatments including GIK, Vicoustics, Acoustic Fields and potentially a custom piece or two... Although I do believe I can accomplish 95% of what I need with just Vicoustics and GIK.
My biggest question is the classic absorption vs diffusion at the first reflection points and front wall. Most other treatments are pretty well agreed upon... Corner traps, combo of diffusion and absorption on rear wall. I'm waiting for some room evaluations/calculations to come through. I'll keep you posted.
I welcome opinions and suggestions for room treatments.
I'll keep you updated on the Room, and the K-01 as things progress.
On a side note, the Burmester gear is being picked up next week. I'm sad to see it go and see them as a target to focus on for next year. I need to restate that it requires a $35K retail amplifier to replace my Veritas monoblocks. I tried a bunch of amps in between the price of the Veritas and the Burmester 911mk3 and although some were better, none were better enough to justify selling the Veritas and upgrading; the cost to improvement over the Merrill amps just wasn't there. Not until the 911mk3/077 combo. That is quite a feather in Merrill Audio's hat. And the list of amps I tried includes other NC1200 "digital" amps including the Mola Mola. The Veritas amps are really that good...
