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.
All
Grandioso P1X SE
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
Description
Esoteric's Premier Super Audio CD Transport, with Separate Power Supply Unit
Release Timeline
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.
Select products
Select product comparisons
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
$40,001-$75,000
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
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Used
ESOTERIC
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What competes at this price?
CH Precision
D1.5
42099
/
Released
2021
Despite advances in high-resolution file-replay, the optical disc remains the reference standard for digital music replay. Those who have predicted the imminent demise of CD and who already danced on the grave of SACD might want to take a look at the rude health of the vinyl LP, a format long ago consigned by many to the dustbin of audio history. In fact, there have never been so many CD and SACD titles (or formats) available – and they have never been so affordable, making them the most consistent and stable digital source currently available – and one that is constantly evolving as superior materials and manufacturing techniques continue to improve performance.
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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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.
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Product Page
How to buy
CD Players
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