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.

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.

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.

All

Grandioso K1X SE

reviews

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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

Two Revolutions – Integrated – VRDS-ATLAS and Master Sound Discrete DAC – now come to fruition in an integrated player that carries the name… Grandioso.
Since its inception in 1987, Esoteric has been at the forefront of innovation as a high-end audio brand from Japan, continually pushing the boundaries of high quality sound reproduction. The Esoteric brand is known for its outstanding acoustic engineering that has sustained its reputation and prestige, its massive investment without regard to cost, its "museum quality" craftsmanship, and its beautiful designs worthy of music reproduction.

Grandioso has brought a number of highly original innovations to the world of high-end audio, including the legendary VRDS-ATLAS Super Audio CD transport mechanism, the Master Sound Discrete DAC and the Master Sound Discrete Clock, which consist of unique discrete circuits. Finally, three SE models are now available with new discrete clock technology and improved analog circuitry in the DAC. We are proud of our brand and always strive for the best sound. The SE model we are releasing this time reflects every conceivable technological accumulation from the time the original model was launched to the present. Enjoy the enhanced presence, dynamics, and beautifully organic and musical textures of the three new SE models.
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:

  • Esoteric utilizes the VRDS (Vibration-Free Rigid Disc-Clamping System) Atlas transport mechanism, a meticulously engineered design to minimize disc vibration and improve reading accuracy, setting them apart in CD/SACD player technology.
  • The brand develops its own discrete DACs, such as the Master Sound Discrete DAC, instead of relying on off-the-shelf chips, aiming for a unique and full-bodied sonic reproduction that captures the energy and vibrancy of live music.
  • They focus on internal construction that promotes physical separation of components like power supplies and audio circuits and a multi-layered chassis to minimize internal vibration, contributing to the sonic purity of the equipment.
  • Esoteric implements the ES-Link Analog output transmission system, which aims to deliver a high-current signal to connected components, minimizing impedance problems and maximizing signal integrity.

K-05XD

  • Positioning: The entry-level model in Esoteric's high-end lineup.
  • Description: Features the VRDS Atlas transport mechanism, which is also found in more expensive models like the K-03XD SE, ensuring precise disc reading and reduced vibrations.

K-03XD SE

  • Positioning: The mid-range model in Esoteric's lineup, offering advanced features at a competitive price.
  • Description: Features the VRDS-ATLAS SACD transport mechanism and Master Sound Discrete DAC, providing superior sound quality compared to the K-05XD.

K-01XD SE

  • Positioning: The premium model, positioned just below the flagship Grandioso series.
  • Description: Esoteric's most iconic digital player, featuring the VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism and Master Sound Discrete DAC, similar to the K-03XD SE but with further refinements for enhanced sound quality.

Grandioso K1X SE

  • Positioning: The flagship model in Esoteric's lineup, representing the pinnacle of their audio technology.
  • Description: Features groundbreaking advancements with its VRDS-ATLAS transport mechanism and Master Sound Discrete DAC, setting it apart from all other models in the lineup.
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Avg. Product Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used For Sale
179
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
44
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
25
Founding Year
1987

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.

Look inside the brand

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
.
Brand Page

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.
Check Amazon
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.
Check Amazon
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

No items found.

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

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