Anyone know how to remove the stock footers on the Esoteric K01 XD?

[mxk116]

Anyone know how to remove the stock feet on the Esoteric K01XD? I'd like to experiment with RevOpods as an upgrade.

The RevoPods worked very well on my Aurender N20. The RevOpods did not disturb the wonderful sound quality of the N20 which is good (do no harm). On the other hand they added clarity without any harshness or dryness. The addition of the RevOpods also added incrementally to the soundstage making it more continuous and palpable. Music whether streamed from the internet or from files on the internal SSD emerge from a blacker background.

Any guidance is appreciated?

 

[brodricj]

RevOpods provide enough elevation that you don't need to remove the Esoteric stock feet.

 

[mxk116]

Thanks brodricj, I realize that is an alternative strategy to applying the RevOpods and would have used that approach if I was unable to remove the factory footers.

Fortunately I was able to figure out how to remove them by scrutinizing the image below from the Esoteric website. This confirmed for me that no circuit boards were directly mounted to the bottom plate. The image also allowed me to identify the 12 Phillips head screws that needed to be removed to separate the bottom plate from the chassis.



There is a clever design feature of the Esoteric footer that, if not understood, prevents the footer from being unscrewed. If I had known this in advance I could have left the bottom plate in place but it was a fun and not too time consuming exercise. With the bottom plate removed the geek in me also had the opportunity to admire the quality of Esoteric construction.

Now I have the RevOpods mounted directly on the K01XD chassis exactly where the OE footers were previously. Based on my experience retrofitting RevOpods to my Aurender N20 network transport I look forward to learning how the K01XD responds. The N20 took a day or two to settle in post installation but the results were positive. I will post more once I have some time to listen.

 

[brodricj]

RevOpods make no audible difference to my Esoteric gear. But mine is built to the Grandioso standard. With K-series your mileage might vary.

 

[brodricj]

I can't speak for K-series feet but Grandioso feet come in the accessory kit with the felt pads, you just screw them on. You don't need to remove them to install RevOpods. I also use Critical Mass Systems Center Stage 2 and 2M. The 0.8" CS2/M is enough clearance to get the stock feet off the shelf. Neither after market footer makes any noticeable difference with Grandioso components.

 

[mxk116]

The RevOpods demonstrably improved the sound quality of my K01XD. Overall clarity and transient behavior improved. Individual instruments are more fully realized in the sound field. This was particularly apparent in the bass with more focus and pitch definition. I would suggest to anyone to give them a try. Between the improvements the RevOpods had on the Aurender N20 and the K01XD my streaming has never sounded better. But like you said YMMV.