CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Esoteric Grandioso K1X SE

The Grandioso K1X SE is the flagship integrated SACD/CD player from Esoteric, the Japanese high-end brand founded in 1987. Grandioso is the name Esoteric gives to the top model in each product category, and the K1X combines two of the company's key developments - the VRDS-ATLAS disc transport and the fully discrete Master Sound Discrete DAC - in one chassis. The SE version adds Esoteric's newer discrete clock technology and an improved analogue section in the DAC.

Key specs that matter

Frequency response for CD extends from 5Hz to 30kHz, signal-to-noise ratio is 113dB and THD+N is 0.0007%. Output impedance is 40 ohms balanced and 15 ohms single-ended, through XLR and RCA outputs. Digital inputs include USB, coaxial and optical, with PCM supported up to 768kHz and DSD up to 22.5MHz, and the player decodes MQA-CD and MQA files. An external clock input accepts Esoteric's Grandioso G-series master clocks. The chassis measures 445 x 162 x 447mm and weighs 35kg.

Engineering and use context

The VRDS-ATLAS transport uses Esoteric's Vibration-free Rigid Disc-clamping System, in which a large turntable clamps the disc across its surface so it spins flat, without warping, reducing the correction work the servo system must do. It is the heaviest mechanism in VRDS history and sits in the centre of the chassis on a 5mm steel base plate. The Master Sound Discrete DAC abandons integrated DAC chips entirely and builds the conversion circuit from 32 separate elements per channel, using discrete components selected and tested by Esoteric, in a dual-mono arrangement derived from the Grandioso D1X monaural DAC. An FPGA-based 64-bit delta-sigma modulator running at 512Fs processes the digital signal and can convert PCM to DSD. The chassis has two decks, with the audio boards on the upper level and the power supply and transformers below, which reduces magnetic leakage and vibration and shortens supply wiring. Separate toroidal transformers feed the digital and analogue sections. The SE models replace the bolted-on pinpoint feet with feet held by the chassis weight alone, avoiding stress in the base plate, and the top panel is semi-floating and screwless.

Pairing

Its XLR and RCA outputs connect directly to a preamplifier or integrated amplifier, while a network streamer, computer or TV can reach the internal converter through the coaxial, optical or USB sockets.

Alternatives

Esoteric's K-01XD SE is the SACD/CD player of the K series, also combining a VRDS-ATLAS transport with a Master Sound Discrete DAC.