APL Esoteric X-01

Mgottlieb, I am perfectly aware (in-depth, down to the last component) what are the differences between the "normal" and "limited" UX-1 and X-01. There is no doubt that the "limited" is better, but it is still 90% similar to the "normal" version.

The "after-market modification", as you put it, involves complete removal of ALL original clocks, upsampler, digital filter, DAC and analog stages. The end result has nothing to do with Esoteric except for the beautiful enclosure and the superb VRDS-NEO transport. You are welcome to visit the links provided above and read more information about it.

Regards,
Alex

My comment still goes: before sending an X-01 out for modification, I'd listen to a Limited to see if, afterwards, there still is a desire to do so. That's all I said, and I directed the comment to Greg, who asked the question.

Mgottlieb, "you're going blind--aurally".
Judging from Grandme posts above, he was "going blind--aurally" when when he bought the X-01. I don't see any difference between that and going the APL route. If the NWO2.5 is as good as the owners claim, then he would have wasted $1200.+ on the upgrade.
I bought a X-01 Limited based on the owners rave reviews. (I was going blind--aurally). It's an outstanding player and the build quality is the best IMO. However I still preferred my EMM gear and sold the X-01 Lim.
I'll be listening to the NWO 2.5 this weekend at Rocky Mountain Audiofest and will probably order one and without hearing it in MY system, I'll be "going blind" once more.

Once again, doesn't anyone read? All I said was LISTEN to the Limited, which is available from numerous dealers, before passing up the upgrade of the original by the manufacturer for a more expensive one. Blind, it would appear, is blind, period.

Here is the problem as I see it. Yes, it makes sense to listen to the X-01 Limited, and perhaps it sounds substantially better than the stock X-01, and perhaps the sound of the X-01 Limited would be enough to satisfy someone who did not have the thought of owning the APL version. However, if the listener has APL's redesigned X-01 in the back of his/her mind, then it doesn't matter how exceptional the X-01 Limited sounds...it won't be enough to quash the listener's nagging urge to own the more expensive APL. It's just human nature of desiring what is not owned. It's Law #2 of the Audioholics Code.

BTW, I happen to believe the APL redesigned X-01 will probably sound better than both the X-01 and X-01 Limited. However, I also am quite certain the APL X-01 will have no semblance of the Esoteric house sound. That could be an important factor for an owner of the Esoteric X-01.