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esoteric x-05 player

Hi all

I've just connected my newly bought esoteric x-05 player and compared it (a/b)to my Lecotr 7 CDP.I bought the Esoteric without audition as I don't have a dealer here and just based on its rave reviews. I was very disappointed (after a few hours of listening) to find out that the Esoteric's overall presentation compared to the Lector is quite harsh and metallic while the lector is very smooth and rich.

Is it just a break in period time (how much to anticipate) ?
Will an outboard (tube?) DAC (in redbook mode) will smoothen the presentation ?

thanks to all repliers in advance
icorem
missioncoonery
732 posts
 
IMO ,I agree with all the above postings about breakin time.I ran Pass amps for a short time with my X03se and it was glorious.I think you will like what you hear after several 100+ hours of breakin..enjoy!!!
chayro
1,801 posts
 
I do belive that components take some time to break in, but I honestly cannot understand what exactly is being broken in after say one month of normal use. I think it's partially the owner getting used to the new component as much as the component actually settling in, but 1000 hours?
Yet, I've heard many people say similar things about Esoteric, so maybe there's something to it. As I said above, I had an X-05 for 6 months and I don't think it ever changed after an initial one-month break in period.
sksos1
385 posts
 
I bought a X-05 about 6 months back abd yes it toook between 750 -1000 to sound it's best. I love it now. I also had the Lector 7 and found it "dar" sounding, never enjoyed that unit.
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