Esoteric Grandioso P1/D1


Hello, wanted to start a thread on the new flagship Esoteric Grandioso P1 D1 digital system. Haven't seen any out there and also there is not much information on the web either. Just a couple of reviews and that is about it.

Idea is to share experiences and knowledge on this digital playback system from owners, people that has listened to it, with first hand experience for whatever reason, or just for those who may be interested to ask questions as potential future owners...

If you are reading this, you probably know the system is composed of 4 pieces: A transport, the power unit of transport, and 2 mono DACs for each channel.

Additionally, you can use (and I do recommend it to a great extend) the clock G01, so overall a 5 pieces system.

This digital replaces the old 01 which has been in the market for a long time and brings new interesting features it will be nice to discuss in depth.

Some are quite new or at least not seen before in high end audio like the use of a proprietary transfer protocol (ES-LINK 4) using HDMI cables.

it allows direct DSD and 352.8kHz/48bit PCM ultrawideband digital transmission using an HDMI cable for each DAC.

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esoteric/p1d1/indexe.html

But most importantly, to discuss it's music reproduction qualities and different configurations and experinces.

Despite being out there for a while already, I can't understand why there hasn't been much said about them. I guess Esoteric should expend a bit in adds to get the atention of the pro audio publications... :-)

Anyway, I have these for less then a month, and despite having very little hours on them, they are quite something. However they are still evolving so will wait on my side a while still to talk in detail about the sound.

Hope this thread is of use and helps owners, potential ones, and others gather and share lots of information.

Thanks
Eli
eelii08

Showing 3 responses by jon2020

DGarretson,
In theory, yes, but to design, implement and incorporate digital attenuation in a statement product like the Grandioso may compromise other aspects of its performance. Esoteric has decided that it is probably better to have the analog stage in a separate box altogether. And they have also decided likewise for the K-01X.
For me, like Eli and many others, SQ is better with a separate analog preamp in the chain. Of course, this is all set-up dependent.
J.
Colekat,
Congrats on your acquisition of the ultimate components from the Esoteric digital line. You are one lucky audiophile.

G,
I think Esoteric's omission of volume control in these products may in all probability attest more to their in-house purist philosophy and approach to digital attenuation than anything else. With redbook at 16 bits, losing 1 bit of resolution with every 6 dB of attenuation may be acceptable but not so with dsd and hi-res pcm all the way to 384/24.
IMHO. J.