Power amplifiers stereo — Esoteric Grandioso S1X

The Grandioso S1X is an accomplished stereo power amplifier from Esoteric, a well-established Japanese manufacturer known for meticulous, uncompromising digital and analogue engineering, built with a wide bandwidth. The Grandioso S1X brings Esoteric's most storied engineering heritage to dedicated stereo power amplification.

Key specs that matter

Output power is 50W into 8 ohms, rising to 100W into 4 ohms - a distinctive Class A topology figure suggesting a purist, lower-power design philosophy. Gain is 36.5dBu. Frequency response spans a wide 5Hz to 100,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Signal-to-noise ratio is 109dB, with total harmonic distortion plus noise at 0.006% at 100% global feedback. Maximum power consumption is a substantial 310W relative to the modest output, reflecting genuine Class A operation. At 491 x 221 x 536mm and 48kg, the Grandioso S1X's considerable weight for its modest power output reflects serious Class A internal engineering.

Sound and use context

Expect the exceptionally clean, harmonically pure character Class A amplification is broadly celebrated for, with the modest 100W-into-4-ohms output requiring reasonably efficient loudspeakers, consistent with Esoteric's meticulous Japanese engineering philosophy.

Pairing

The modest Class A power output pairs best with reasonably efficient loudspeakers rather than demanding, low-sensitivity designs.

Alternatives

Other manufacturers' comparable Class A stereo power amplifiers offer alternatives for buyers wanting to compare topologies at a similar price point.