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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
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
990 posts
 
DGarretson,
In theory, yes, but to design, implement and incorporate digital attenuation in a statement product like the Grandioso may compromise other aspects of its performance. Esoteric has decided that it is probably better to have the analog stage in a separate box altogether. And they have also decided likewise for the K-01X.
For me, like Eli and many others, SQ is better with a separate analog preamp in the chain. Of course, this is all set-up dependent.
J.
onestaudio's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
onestaudio
143 posts
 
Hi G, In a conversation with an Esoteric Exec. , he thought the processing needed for the new protocol was an issue/conflict with the volume control, though no one in Japan had substantiated that remark, he believed it to be true. I see or hear your point, one less component, one less set of cables, one less power supply, etc. Simplicity has its strengths, espiecally in HiFi. But, in my case with the Esoteric stuff, I had a better listening experience through the preamps, both the Esoteric C-02 & Ypsilon. Soundstage is much more natural with the Ypsilon in line, and as I stated a couple posts ago, the Ypsilon has a calming affect on the digital, although with the P1/D1 I hear none of the brightness or lack of weight with CDs that I heard with the K-01 espiecally. The Esoterics I had in the past were all excellent with SACDs, and the X-01 was great with multi channel, but at times CDs were lean and lacked the weight that so far has been one of the remarkable qualities of this player!
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Interesting. I think they went for simplicity to achieve the purest sound possible here. Not only taking out the volume; If you go the recommended way in connecting them, ES LINK 4 using HDMI, the options available in terms of up sampling, filters and the like are very limited.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Colekat, I am confident that Esoteric engineering/marketing had a very carefully reasoned process that led them to omit volume control in their latest DAC designs. Whether their decision optimizes the long term success of the product line, or causes an eventual flexing of highest end market-share instead, only future will tell.

Guido
onestaudio's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
onestaudio
143 posts
 
Hey G, You are right. I believe Esoteric is aligning themselves as a disc player/USB DAC combo player, with disc playing still being the main focus. I believe they will leave Integra to deal with the fluxuations in mainstream marketing with convienence and features being the focus.
After listening through the P1/D1 for almost 3 months now, there is no question in my mind that this is a Disc player, and an expectitional one at that, far exceeding any of my past experiences with other players.
As you say, time will tell if that is enough for further research and development of the future replacements for these awesome machines!
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