Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • CD Disc Tray Dimensions (WxHxD): 460x395x180mm
  • Main Unit Dimensions (WxHxD): 485x395x195mm
  • Power Supply Dimensions (WxHxD): 485x395x160mm
  • Net Weight: 77.8kg (CD Disc Tray+Main Unit+Separate Power Supply)
  • Digital Audio Output: 16Bit/44.1kHz
  • Outputs: Optical Fiber (1), Coaxial RCA 75Ω (1), Coaxial BNC 75Ω (1), AES 110Ω (2), I2S LVDS 3.3Vpp (1)
  • Playback: CD / CD-R/RW
  • Input Voltage Range: 100~240VAC/47~63HZ
  • Power Consumption: 52W
  • Standby Power: 1W
  • Operating Temperature: +5°C to +35°C
  • Operating Humidity: 5% ‒ 85% (No condensation)
  • Storage Temperature: -20°C to +55°C
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Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

Hermit  

  • Positioning: An entry-level Bluetooth speaker offering convenient portability.  
  • Description: Uses a composite diaphragm with a 1-inch beryllium dome and a 2.5-inch titanium cone to deliver clear, compact sound. Compared to the larger, stationary systems like Panda Plus and Crane, Hermit is best for users with smaller spaces and tighter budgets who need essential wireless functionality.  

Panda Plus  

  • Positioning: An advanced bookshelf speaker from the Panda series focused on refined audio resolution.  
  • Description: Uses Truextent foiled beryllium and patented titanium sandwich diaphragms to achieve superior sound resolution and low distortion. In comparison with Hermit's compact and budget-friendly design and the more expansive performance of floor-standing options, Panda Plus offers a mid-range solution.  

Crane  

  • Positioning: A classic three-way floor-standing horn tweeter speaker designed for versatile room adaptation.  
  • Description: Features engineered beryllium diaphragm horn units paired with titanium sandwich composite cones and an integrated active crossover for adaptable performance. Compared to the portable Hermit and the focused bookshelf design of Panda Plus, Crane delivers robust performance across different room conditions.  

Phoenix  

  • Positioning: A premium flagship system offering extensive configuration and high-end performance.  
  • Description: Uses a unique active crossover system that blends beryllium diaphragm horn units with titanium sandwich composite cones, delivering smooth transitions and dynamic sound. Against other models like Dragon's ultimate flagship status and Crane's versatile design, Phoenix is geared toward users who desire advanced technological features.  

Dragon  

  • Positioning: The ultimate flagship hi-fi speaker system that epitomizes cutting-edge design and engineering.  
  • Description: Features Truextent foiled beryllium diaphragms and patented titanium sandwich diaphragms engineered for an exceptional, full-range listening experience. When compared to Phoenix's high-end performance and other models' specialized functions, Dragon stands out as the pinnacle of technological innovation and premium build quality.
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Avg. Product Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used For Sale
0
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
619
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
14
Founding Year
2016

Our take on the brand

ESD Acoustic is distinguished by its use of carbon fiber in horn construction and field-coil electromagnets, particularly in their flagship Super Dragon system with its complex multi-horn setup. The brand's massive-scale systems feature analog active crossovers feeding multiple amplifiers per channel, delivering a live-like listening experience through their uniquely designed large-scale, multi-way horn speakers.

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Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

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From our interview with
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Brand Page

Used

ESD Acoustic

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What if you spend more?

Product image
CH Precision
D1.5
42099
42099
/
5
Reviews

The heart of any disc player is the transport mechanism itself. But what do you do if current mechs simply aren't up to the job? If you are CH Precision, you build your own! The critical mechanical parts of our proprietary Mechanically Optimized Reading System (MORSe) are built entirely in-house. The carefully selected optical pick-up and motor are precisely mounted on a massive brass sled that weighs almost 1kg (2.2lbs). This high-mass lowers the mechanical resonance frequency of the module several orders of magnitude lower than in most other transports, while ensuring an ideal counter-weight to the torque of the spinning disc.

The complete module is isolated from the rest of the chassis using four alpha-gel isolators, fine-tuned to filter vibrations all the way down to AC mains frequencies. This prevents vibrations generated by the spinning of the disc from reaching sensitive electronic boards, as well as low frequency vibrations originating in the power supply or chassis disturbing the accurate tracking of the laser mechanism. The disc clamp is made of lightweight PEEK polymer, which provides optimal grip and dimensional stability, ensuring slip-free transmission from the direct drive motor to the disc. The chassis holding this crucial sub-system is a 2 kg rigid aluminum structure, directly coupled to the heavy base of the D1.5. This makes an ideal mechanical ground reference for the rotating parts that, along with our updated mechanical grounding system effectively eliminates mechanical interference.

Built around the massive MORSe mechanism, the D1.5 is a configurable CD/SACD player/transport, the card-cage output architecture allowing owners to optimize the output topology to suit their system requirements, whether they need a player, transport or prefer to have both in a single unit. The digital output board (CH-Link HD, S/PDIF, AES/EBU and TosLink) is supplied as standard. The CH-Link HD connection allows digital output of high-definition material, including DSD direct to the C1 DAC or I1 Integrated Amplifier. In the case of CD replay, the D1.5 allows users to choose between the raw MQA (44.1kHz/16bit) output and an MQB output. It is also possible to fit a pair of dedicated, mono DAC boards, utilizing our proprietary PEtER spline filter algorithm, to create a reference player capable of SACD, CD and MQA CD replay.

The Clock Sync board allows the D1.5 player/transport to be slaved to either a DAC master clock or the T1 Reference clock for optimum performance. Finally, the D1.5's performance can be further upgraded with the use of an X1 external power supply. All replay, output and user interface functionality is accessible via the CH concentric control on the front panel, or remotely, via the CH Control App. The large AMOLED screen can be color configured to reflect different source/output formats, while the color itself and brightness can be adjusted to offer a perfect match with other units in the system. This flexibility when it comes to configuration or application, along with its ease of operation, make the D1.5 not just the highest performance but also the most adaptable, upgradable and future proof optical disc replay solution available.

CH Precision is known for its modular design philosophy that lets customers tailor and upgrade their units over time without replacing the entire component, with sophisticated controls accessible via tablet from the listening position. Their amplifiers offer five different operating modes (stereo, bridge, passive and active bi-amplification, and monaural) and allow users to adjust specific audio parameters like global feedback ratio and input gain settings for optimal speaker matching.
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Expand Details

Our summary

Product Strengths

  • Solid build with a modular design allowing for future upgrades of daughter boards
  • Capable of playing CDs and SACDs
  • High-mass transport mechanism (MORSe) designed to minimize vibrations
  • Excellent sound quality with a neutral presentation of the music played, irrespective of music or format

Product Considerations

  • The original D1 cannot be upgraded to the D1.5 due to significant changes in the transport mechanism
  • The 'preproduction D1.5 supplied for review selected one of the minimum-phase filters from our library of available algorithms'
  • The D1.5 had old firmware, and was using an incorrect filter
  • The Android app is only available on the Android platform—no iOS (Apple) version is available

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • The D1.5 is the first digital player not named Neodio or Wadax to transport the reviewer to the Musikverein without leaving the listening room

Takeaway: The CH Precision D1.5 is a robust and versatile player that delivers excellent sound across different disc formats. Its modular design and focus on time-domain performance ensure a worthwhile investment for audiophiles seeking a long-term, high-quality digital source.

Video review

Our take on the brand

CH Precision is known for its modular design philosophy that lets customers tailor and upgrade their units over time without replacing the entire component, with sophisticated controls accessible via tablet from the listening position. Their amplifiers offer five different operating modes (stereo, bridge, passive and active bi-amplification, and monaural) and allow users to adjust specific audio parameters like global feedback ratio and input gain settings for optimal speaker matching.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

What competes at this price?

Metronome
t|AQWO 2
34000
/
Released
2023
t|AQWO 2 continues the tradition of high-end Transports from Métronome. Unlike its predecessors, it plays both CDs and SACDs, with additional features allowing it to up-sample and down-sample tracks during playback.
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Métronome is a hifi brand that lets users choose between tube or transistor output modes in their DACs, and offers dual conversion lines (ESS and AKM) in their flagship c|AQWO 2 model. Their products support high-resolution formats including PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD512, while their transports uniquely allow up-sampling and down-sampling during playback.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Solid build quality, with the front panel finished in a classy gold color and the logo machined into the metal
  • Versatile digital source solution, functioning as a CD/SACD player, DAC, and streamer
  • Uses a modified transport mechanism developed by the D&M Group (now Sound United)
  • Excellent, musical, dynamic and tuneful performance that made listening to music a pleasure

Product Considerations

  • Optional tube output may not be preferred, with some listeners finding that it reduces focus and clarity compared to the solid-state option
  • Adjusting the digital filters may prove frustrating, as the differences are slight

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to Benchmark, the t|AQWO made things sound slow and stodgy by comparison

Takeaway: The t|AQWO is a beautifully made and finished digital source that makes music enjoyable with its excellent performance. It is versatile and easy to use.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Métronome is a hifi brand that lets users choose between tube or transistor output modes in their DACs, and offers dual conversion lines (ESS and AKM) in their flagship c|AQWO 2 model. Their products support high-resolution formats including PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD512, while their transports uniquely allow up-sampling and down-sampling during playback.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
CEC
TL 3N
35000
/
Released
A CD transport combining unique belt-drive engineering with advanced digital technology. A double belt-drive mechanism, separate motors for laser and turntable, combined with CEC Superlink.
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CEC pioneered the world's first belt-driven CD transport in 1991, using this unique design across their product line to reduce vibration and create an analog-like sound quality that's rare among CD players. Their Superlink system uses four separate cables to improve digital signal quality, while their belt-driven approach and high-mass disc clamps are specifically designed to mimic the stability of analog turntables.
Expand Details

Our Summary

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Product Strengths

  • Natural, easy flowing way of delivering music without etch and tonal bleaching
  • Wonderful sense of flow and timing, plus a far more dynamic, lively presentation with great grip and control
  • Rooted and purposeful quality to music, coupled to a clearly defined and stable soundstage
  • Uncomplicated directness to musical communication, making it easier to appreciate the music
  • Belt-drive transport brings separation and broad tonal palette, so that things keep spacious, textured and moving forward

Product Considerations

  • The remote is of the cheap plastic variety
  • S/PDIF is on RCA rather than BNC
  • Casework and manual operation hardly reek of high-end niceties
  • A slight electronic pop may be heard through speakers when loading a disc and pushing play

Takeaway: The TL3N allows the compact disc to deliver an immersive musical experience. It is a capable machine for playing back CD collections, especially for users who prefer not to rip them or use a computer.

Video review

Our take on the brand

CEC pioneered the world's first belt-driven CD transport in 1991, using this unique design across their product line to reduce vibration and create an analog-like sound quality that's rare among CD players. Their Superlink system uses four separate cables to improve digital signal quality, while their belt-driven approach and high-mass disc clamps are specifically designed to mimic the stability of analog turntables.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
ESOTERIC
Grandioso K1X SE
38000
/
Released
2023
Two Revolutions – Integrated – VRDS-ATLAS and Master Sound Discrete DAC – now come to fruition in an integrated player that carries the name… Grandioso.
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Esoteric is a Japanese hifi brand that manufactures CD and SACD players with their unique VRDS technology, which provides superior stability in disc playback through a rigid disc-clamping system. Their products are built in Tokyo with proprietary technologies like the Master Sound Discrete DAC, and their Grandioso series is considered among the world's best for sonic capabilities.
Expand Details

Our Summary

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Product Strengths

  • The Grandioso K1X preserves and improves on the exciting sound of previous Esoteric digital components, with more harmonic density and refinement than the K1
  • The VRDS-Atlas transport betters the VRDS-Neo in build quality
  • The Grandioso K1X excels at reducing noise and distortion, resulting in an extremely elegant and refined sound
  • The Grandioso K1X's new FPGA converters signal that Esoteric is still on the cutting edge of digital audio technology

Product Considerations

  • The warranty of three years parts and labor may be considered too short given the product's high build quality and price
  • Setting up the Grandioso PS1 requires two power cords, which is not clearly disclosed in the manuals

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Esoteric Grandioso K1: The K1X offers more transparency and detail, with longer decays, harmonically fuller notes, and reduced coarseness—the K1X sounds substantially more polished
  • Vs Esoteric Grandioso D1 DAC: The K1X has more harmonic richness and refinement

Takeaway: The Grandioso K1X is a great way to experience ultra-high-end sound with improved transparency, detail, and refinement compared to previous models. Adding the PS1 power supply enhances transients, bass definition, soundstage, and noise rejection.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Esoteric is a Japanese hifi brand that manufactures CD and SACD players with their unique VRDS technology, which provides superior stability in disc playback through a rigid disc-clamping system. Their products are built in Tokyo with proprietary technologies like the Master Sound Discrete DAC, and their Grandioso series is considered among the world's best for sonic capabilities.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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