New listening room with CLX speakers

[Big Dog RJ]

Hey Randy mate, how's it going?
Trust those tunes are mighty fine!

Just noticed something that caught my attention, maybe I'm seeing things but if correct, in that second pic, is that an Esoteric digital player? I'm using one as well, they're superb! Extremely well designed and plays with finesse!

Their latest XD series is really tops but comes at a pretty penny. The former XS series is what I'm using now. Got a few things upgraded on it, so no rush to look at any of their XD series at the moment. In time to come they'll probably upgrade the XD series to yet another level knowing Eso.

Note: the first pic looks like a Luxman digital player... maybe I'm wrong. But Eso has a very distinctive front panel, and they're built solid!

Cheers and enjoy those finest tunes!
Woof! RJ

 

[Steelhead]

Gorgeous

HAPPY LISTENING!!!

 

[jazzfish]

I used to own an Esoteric K-03. Now have a Luxman D10X. Slightly more analog sound than the Esoteric. But both lines have something to offer IMO. But the better my electronics, the gap between vinyl and digital just becomes wider. With the ARC 250SE amps, the Keith Jarret Sun Bear concerts (original German ECM pressing) sounded unbelievable!

 

[Big Dog RJ]

I used to own an Esoteric K-03. Now have a Luxman D10X. Slightly more analog sound than the Esoteric. But both lines have something to offer IMO. But the better my electronics, the gap between vinyl and digital just becomes wider. With the ARC 250SE amps, the Keith Jarret Sun Bear concerts (original German ECM pressing) sounded unbelievable!

Ah nice one there.

In fact, I went in reverse... from Luxman (D10x) to Eso. Funny thing isn't it, different folks- different strokes. The D10x is a fantastic unit, smooth and detailed, and yes, much closer to an anaolog reproduction.

This is going way back to the 90's, had some top notch digital players: CJ DV2B (vacuum tube player), Wadia, Meridian, Meitner. Then the CJ had some issues, even used ARC ref7 I think it was, big 6550 tube in there as well, many others passed through, Cayin, Cary, Luxman and ended up with McIntosh for a while. Only around 2020/21, I got the chance to home trial both the L-D10x and Eso K0-xs series players. Both were truly tops, it was not an easy decision but I had to settle for one... so ended up with the Eso since it had a superb level of synergy with conrad johnson amplifiers. Just a personal preference, that's all. The Eso clock alone (G0x1 I think...) was just over 20grand! I've also audition their top of the line 4 stack: transport-clock-& dual mono DACs, 89grand! What a crazy price point but an extraordinary level of performance. Since I don't run a drug cartel, I just settled for the most simplest K0-xs series I could afford, and it's good enough!

The L-D10x partnered with ARC amplifiers and the CLX's should be a fine combination! Either way, do enjoy those finest tunes. That deserves a mighty WOOF!
Cheers, RJ

 

[jazzfish]

I used a cheaper scientific clock with the Esoteric K-03. Made a slight but noticeable improvement. One point in Luxman’s favor was to eliminate the click or at least the perceived need for one. I like the steely sound of the Esoteric compared to the warmer sound of the Lux on fusion and electric recordings. But on small group jazz, the Lux may be better. A matter of taste for sure. No way was I going for anything over 10 k to gain an edge in the mercurial world of digital.

 

[Big Dog RJ]

Yes, I believe you made a very good choice with the L-D10x and it would seem to have more synergy with ARC amplifiers.

When I was contemplating between the K07-xs and the top of the line K01 Grandioso, I had the G01x clock on home trial for over a month. Although the K01xs G was mighty impressive in every right... the K07xs with the clock was superb! Equally impressive, so I just settled for that! The XS series was quite a significant level above the older series, not just an improvement in design, also in overall performance. Now the XS series has been replaced by their XD series, which I also auditioned on home trial (2 weeks). I really enjoyed the K03-xd and K01xd but although the price range goes through the roof, the overall improvement margin was not by much. In other words it didn't meet my personal benchmark of 40% in improvement. More in the range of 20-25%...
Therefore, I couldn't be bothered with any further upgrades.

An interesting note: a good mate of mine here, started with Mac then Gamut, then the L-D10x and now Mac's top of the line mcd12000 sacd player. Says it's the best in the world! But that best is only until the next best arrives... usually in this case.

Although digital playback systems have come a long way, and are still progressing, it's a funny thing when it comes to a full analog playback system, TT's, phonostages and their accessories. Whatever it is, each time I put down that stylus on the LP, oh my what a spin! It's the soul of the music, it's right there in full glory and sounds just marvellous! Not sure what it is but there's some magic in those grooves. Called it flawed, inaccurate, surface noise... who cares! The soul is there, digital simply cannot reproduce music this way. The physics is totally different. Just my 50cts worth.

Cheers jf, and most of all, enjoy those finest tunes! Woof!
RJ