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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
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
HI Zephir,

I agree with you 02 are no joke...

Regarding HDMI I don't know if I misunderstood you. None of the 03s or 02s had HDMI connectors. They had ilink, or RCA or XLR.

The 02 uses ESLINK3 through 2 AES/EBU. This is the best way to play them. But the 01s uses ESLINK 4 only through HDMI. If you plug 2 AES/EBU you just go back to ESLINK3.

Regarding prices for HDMI cables, actually they are not that crazily priced as other digital cables. A siltech is sold for 280 euros (the only one they make), and the VDH that comes with them (their highest model) at 220 euros. If you compare this with the prices of AES/EBU cables or any other it is far away. The most expensive HDMI cable out there for 1 meter is prices around 1000 USD. I just wonder if there is any difference or not between them.

Siltech claims that they can not connect high diameter cables to a HDMI plug. They would have to make thin pure momo x silver (as used in the DC models but much thiner) and that would be too expensive and not sure if there is a market for that.

In any case I will compare the stock cables with the SIltech and see if there is any difference. IN forums people claim there is in terms of image, but for pure sound applications, there is not much info out there.
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,241 posts
 
Sorry,...meant Firewire-based iLink, not HDMI. Apologies for the brain spasm.....
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
01s at 400 or so hours and still improving. Nice change from 300 to 400 hours. It keeps surprising me how good these things really are. Nothing to do with any digital I've heard before. Pure magic and flow, detail, PRAT... Incredible.
onestaudio's avatar
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onestaudio
143 posts
 
Hey Guys, Trying out for rent clock set-up, so far like the results. The G-01 is very flexible with outputs, and I am auditioning the 10Mhz outputs. It brings everything into sharp focus, and really puts performers in the room. I will keep you posted!
Tom
onestaudio's avatar
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onestaudio
143 posts
 
Where is everyone, Summertime is not so good for blogging forums I guess. Will a couple of significant differences in the presentation after 4 months. I know I am repeating myself, but the Redbook performance of this rig is substantially better than anything else I have heard. I was listening to a 30 year old Copy of Rhyming Simon. This disk has always sounded anemic and soft, Paul Simon very forward, everything else just there. This rig brings it to life as good as I think it could possibly be. Usually the albums of these old CDs blow away the CD, in this case everything snaps into place, and without the problems associated with a thirty-five year old album. Of course I could buy new vinyl, but that is what the P1/D1 does so good. And think I saved $30.00 ! Pretty cool, hah! Just think, with every CD this rig resurrects I save $30.00, in 20000 playbacks the rig will have paid for itself!
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