Digital Drive: REVIEW: Esoteric, TEAC X01 D2 CD Player/Recorder by nabcs

Model:	X01 D2
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	â‚¬16000
Description:	CD/SACD Player
Manufacturer URL:	Esoteric, TEAC
Model Picture:	View

Review by nabcs on August 07, 2007 at 08:03:36
IP Address: 193.126.232.117 Add Your Review
for the X01 D2

In 2005 I have compared a Esoteric X03 and other players to a T+A D10 and in the end I choose the T+A. By that time my Amp was a Mcintosh MA2275, and for me the T+A presents a more musical and organic sound than the other players Iâ€™ve tested.

Almost 2 years have passed and my dealer convinced me to bring to home the new Esoteric X01 D2...big mistake, because now I have to spend more than 10.000 â‚¬ to buy this brilliant piece of equipment.

My actual system Amp is a SET design by VIVA from Italy, Tannoy Kensington Prestige speakers and the T+A CD/SACD Player. Until I heard the X01 D2 CD/SACD Player, my mind was far, far way of thinking to upgrade my CD Player.

Some guys think the Digital players sound all the same, but I assure you the Esoteric X01 D2 sound absolutely different (for the better) than any CD Player Iâ€™ve heard, and this includes Acoustic Research CD3, Esoteric X03, Marantz SA11 and my T+A D10.

Compared to the X01 D2, the T+A seems veiled, compressed. The midband of the T+A is more projected, but in an unnatural way. The voices are so present in the room that obscured the others instruments and the singer are always bigger than real life (I concluded this after I listened the Esoteric Player).

The Esoteric is much more balanced...the voices are well projected into the room but in a natural way without obscuring the other instruments. The bass in much more controlled, tight and dynamic than the T+A.

And in the end the Esoteric player is very transparent and without sacrificing the musicality.

My dealer tell me that the first generation of the Esoteric X01 was a little cold and analytical, but this new player is much better, with the same or better transparency and very, very musical...and I agree!

Maybe there are better CD/SACD players out there, but this is the best, I have heard, by a wide margin.

Product Weakness:	Expensive
Product Strengths:	Fantastic transparency with musicality; controlled and tight bass; construction is out of this world.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: VIVA (SET with 16w)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): T+A D10
Speakers: Tannoy Kensington
Cables/Interconnects: Auditorium 23 and PHY interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pop/Rock, Indie, Country, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 5m x 7m x 3m
Room Comments/Treatments: A carpet and some plants
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Isotek Titan
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition

Amplifier:	VIVA (SET with 16w)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	T+A D10
Speakers:	Tannoy Kensington
Cables/Interconnects:	Auditorium 23 and PHY interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Pop/Rock, Indie, Country, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	5m x 7m x 3m
Room Comments/Treatments:	A carpet and some plants
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Isotek Titan
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition