DCS Vivaldi stacks vs Esoteric Grandioso G1, D1, P1 stacks


Hey all,
For my digital front end source components I am currently using the DCS Vivaldi stacks which include : Vivaldi master clock/streamer unit, Vivaldi upsampler unit, Vivaldi DAC unit, Vivaldi CD/SACD transport unit. They sound and perform phenomenally well and have great sonic synergy with the rest of my equipments. 

But I'm thinking to make a switch to the Esoteric Grandioso stacks : G1 master clock, D1 monoblock DAC, P1 CD/SACD transport, to see how these Esoteric would stack up against my DCS Vivaldi stacks in my system. I'm using the Dan D'Agostino Momentum analog linestage stereo preamp and the Dan D'Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps (2 pairs) in bridge mode. My speakers are Wilson Audio Alexx. Speaker cables, interconnects and power cables are Transparent Opus. 

Has anyone get to compare the DCS Vivaldi stacks up against the Esoteric Grandioso stacks? 
I would be eager to find out how the Esoteric Grandioso stacks would sound in my setup especially in direct comparison to my existing DCS Vivaldi stacks. We don't have a single Esoteric dealer in our area so I have no way to demo the Esoteric Grandioso especially in the same setup as the one I have at home. I would love to give the Esoteric Grandioso stacks a try in my own setup at home. I've read nothing but outstanding reviews on the Esoteric Grandioso stacks, so I thought I might want to give them a shot. The Grandioso D1 DAC is monoblock configuration. 

Your advise, inputs and opinions will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

caphill
Hey guys,
I’m still using the DCS Vivaldi full four stacks which consists of Vivaldi master clock, Vivaldi upsampler, Vivaldi DAC, Vivaldi CD/SACD transport in my reference stereo setup. I’m now wondering how would my DCS Vivaldi stacks compare to the EMM Lab DAC2x? Has anyone compared between the two?
I know they are system dependent, depending on the associated gears such as downstream electronics, speakers, cables, etc. My local dealer does not have EMM and there’s no dealer for EMM in our area.
I’m also contemplating to trade mine in for the MSB Select 2 DAC with dual powerhouses (dual PSU, one for the digital side and another for the analog side) but I’m planning to keep my DCS Vivaldi CD/SACD transport.

Recently I went through setup/system upgrades or changes. Previously I was using the Audio Research Reference 10 linestage preamp paired with 2 pairs of Dan D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps driving the Wilson Audio Alexx speakers. They’re all gone now. The only things I have left from the previous setup are the Audio Research Reference 10 phonostage pre for my Kronos Pro turntable. My analog front end rigs are still the same.
Now I am using the Naim Statement gears which consist of the Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage analog preamp and the Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock amps. My new speakers now are the Magico M6. The Naim Statement gears have better synergy with the Magico M6 than the Wilson Alexx. My speaker cables are Transparent Magnum Opus. My analog interconnects and power cables are Transparent Opus. My digital cables are Nordost Valhalla 2.
However, the DCS Vivaldi stacks pair well with the Naim Statement gears and the Magico M6.

I wonder if the MSB Select 2 DAC with dual powerhouses will perform better in my current setup and system. My local dealer happens to be a dealer for MSB but they don’t have the MSB Select 2 DAC with dual powerhouses on display so it isn’t possible to compare between my DCS Vivaldi stacks and the MSB Select 2 DAC with dual powerhouses in my own setup and system or in any setup / system. Can anyone comment? Which one will pair better with my current setup and system thus better synergy? Any inputs, advises, comments and suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks.



Before trading out of your DCS stack you owe it to yourself to try adding a master reference clock, I use the Mutec but the best results may come from the Abendrot Stute http://www.kjwestone.co.uk/collection/stute/overview

i was in KJ last week and discussing this item with them, every DCS owner they’ve had try one has bought it ...
Thanks folkfreak.
I will give it a try. What are the rest of your setup and system? 

Caphill - Too bad you are in Seattle area. I am in central OR. It’s possible I could drive up sometime however.

I exhibited at RMAF a couple years ago and there were Wilson speakers in the next room driven by Vivaldi stack and the other side was Scaena speakers driven by Vivaldi stack. I listened to both. My Overdrive SX DAC was superior to both of these IMO. It’s even better now and comes with integral Ethernet interface which delivers extremely low jitter:

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=156409.0

What digital sources are you using to drive the Vivaldi stack?

Steve N.

Empirical Audio