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Phonostages — Esoteric Grandioso E1
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Esoteric Grandioso E1
Image source — © Esoteric
The Grandioso E1 is a flagship phono preamplifier from Esoteric, part of the brand's most accomplished Grandioso series, built with a substantial two-chassis design and comprehensive gain configurations. The Grandioso E1 brings Esoteric's most accomplished current engineering to serious, comprehensive phono amplification.
Key specs that matter
Three balanced XLR inputs and one single-ended RCA input are provided. MM input impedance is the standard 47,000 ohms, while MC current-sensing input impedance offers five steps - 10, 50, 100, 200 or 560 ohms. Gain is comprehensive - MC current mode offers 65dB (XLR) or 59dB (RCA), MC voltage mode offers 72dB (XLR) or 66dB (RCA), and MM voltage mode offers 46dB (XLR) or 40dB (RCA) - a remarkably flexible arrangement covering virtually any cartridge type and output level. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is 0.008% for MM. Both the phono unit and its separate power supply measure approximately 445 x 131 x 448mm, weighing 20.7kg (phono) plus 23.4kg (power supply), reflecting Esoteric's uncompromising approach to isolating sensitive phono circuitry from power-supply-related noise.
Sound and use context
Expect exceptionally clean, accurate RIAA equalisation reflecting the low 0.008% distortion figure, combined with comprehensive multi-mode gain flexibility and the advantage of a physically separate power supply, representing Esoteric's absolute flagship-tier current phono engineering.
Pairing
The comprehensive MC current/voltage and MM gain modes let a listener precisely match this phono stage to virtually any cartridge type and output level without compromise.
Alternatives
Esoteric's broader Grandioso electronics catalogue offers natural, brand-coherent pairings for a fully Esoteric-voiced flagship analogue system.
Key specs that matter
Three balanced XLR inputs and one single-ended RCA input are provided. MM input impedance is the standard 47,000 ohms, while MC current-sensing input impedance offers five steps - 10, 50, 100, 200 or 560 ohms. Gain is comprehensive - MC current mode offers 65dB (XLR) or 59dB (RCA), MC voltage mode offers 72dB (XLR) or 66dB (RCA), and MM voltage mode offers 46dB (XLR) or 40dB (RCA) - a remarkably flexible arrangement covering virtually any cartridge type and output level. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is 0.008% for MM. Both the phono unit and its separate power supply measure approximately 445 x 131 x 448mm, weighing 20.7kg (phono) plus 23.4kg (power supply), reflecting Esoteric's uncompromising approach to isolating sensitive phono circuitry from power-supply-related noise.
Sound and use context
Expect exceptionally clean, accurate RIAA equalisation reflecting the low 0.008% distortion figure, combined with comprehensive multi-mode gain flexibility and the advantage of a physically separate power supply, representing Esoteric's absolute flagship-tier current phono engineering.
Pairing
The comprehensive MC current/voltage and MM gain modes let a listener precisely match this phono stage to virtually any cartridge type and output level without compromise.
Alternatives
Esoteric's broader Grandioso electronics catalogue offers natural, brand-coherent pairings for a fully Esoteric-voiced flagship analogue system.
Specifications
Model name
Grandioso E1
Inputs (balanced)
3
Inputs (single-ended)
1
MC current-sensing input impedance (Ω)
N/A
MM/MC voltage input impedance (Ω)
47 000 (MM) + 10, 50, 100, 200, 560 (MC)
Output impedance (Ω)
50 (XLR) + 18 (RCA)
Gain (dB)
MC (currant): 65 dB (XLR output) / 59 dB (RCA output), MC (voltage): 72 dB (XLR output) / 66 dB (RCA output), MM (voltage): 46 dB (XLR output) / 40 dB (RCA output)
Playback EQ curves accuracy (dB)
N/A
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (%)
0.008 (MM)
Dimensions (mm)
445 × 131 × 445 + 445 × 131 × 451 (Power)
Weight (kg)
20.7 + 23.4 (Power)
Official link
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