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Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
988 posts
 
IMHO, the K-01's internal dac is a bit long in the tooth now, as alluded to in another thread.

I humbly predict the following results :-

1) with the K-01 as transport feeding the well-regarded Overdrive SE dac, the SQ of redbook cd will beat out the internal dac of the K-01

2) a cd spinning in the K-01 transport will beat out the same redbook ripped file playing through the mac mini. The K-01 remains a very formidable transport for physical discs

3) VERY high quality redbook recordings on physical discs played through the K-01/ODSE combo are likely to sound as good as most hi-res files played through the ODSE's usb input.

Happy listening!
J.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
great review Jon2020, I suspected that the out come would be as you exsperienced of the Esoteric K-01 player, let's see if matt comes to the same conclusion?
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Jon2020,
I think you're right with the 3 predictions.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
988 posts
 
Thanks for the kind comments.
As cliched as it may sound, the proof is in the listening.

For the K-01 to perform optimally as a transport alone, the following settings are necessary :-

1. Digital out > CD
2. Upsampling > ORG
3. Digital filter > OFF
4. Analog out > OFF

Cheers! J.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Hi Matt, you must be knee deep in your listening room project?, I was hopeing you may have more feed back on your Esoteric K-01 player to post here?
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