Press release

Esoteric Launches the flagship Grandioso E1 phonostage preamplifier

11-07-2024


TAMA, TOKYO, JAPAN, NOVEMBER 7, 2024 – Esoteric is proud to announce the flagship Grandioso E1 phono stage preamplifier. The products will be available for shipment in late November 2024.

 

 
Product Name Model Name Estimated Delivery Date Sales Region
Balanced Phonostage Preamplifier Grandioso E1 Late November 2024 Worldwide

– Vinyl Renaissance –

The Grandioso T1, the first analog turntable commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Esoteric brand, marks a new milestone in vinyl playback with its revolutionary Esoteric MagneDrive System. Following the Grandioso T1, the Grandioso E1 serves as the flagship phono stage preamplifier in the Grandioso series, becoming the best phono stage preamplifier dedicated to vinyl playback. The Grandioso E1 provides an unprecedented listening experience, featuring a unique balanced current input system for MC cartridges, a dual-chassis configuration with separate power supplies, fully balanced and fully discrete variable equalizer amplifier circuits, and support for optical cartridges – innovations that truly embody a renaissance in vinyl playback.

Key Features
  • Unique MC Balanced Current Inputs (XLR x 3): Brings out the true sonic signature of MC cartridges.
  • Dedicated Optical Cartridge Input (RCA x 1): No Magnetic resistance applied to the vibration system.
  • Voltage Input for High-Output Voltage Cartridges (MM/High Output MC, RCA x 1)
  • Fully Balanced, Dual Mono Discrete Amplifier: Incorporates variable EQ and gain amplifier circuitry.
  • Wide Gain Adjustment Range: Matches cartridge output levels.
  • Six Selectable EQ Curves: RIAA, Columbia, Decca, NAB, Teldec, AES
  • Four Customizable EQ Presets: Adjustable by setting individual EQ parameters.
  • Reference EQ Settings Provided: Available in the owner’s manual.
  • Demagnetization Function: Demagnetizes the iron core of MC cartridges, restoring original sound quality.
  • Subsonic Filter: Reduces low frequencies caused by vinyl warping.
  • Mono Mode: Enables playback of monaural recordings.
  • Esoteric-HCLD Output Buffer Amplifier: Features a high slew rate of 2,000V/μs in parallel configuration.
  • ES-Link Analog System: Transmits all musical energy via a unique current transfer system.
  • Dual-Chassis Design: Separates the power supply/control unit from the main preamplifier unit for improved isolation.
  • Four Independent Power Supply Systems
  • Centralized Logic Controls: Integrates settings into the power supply unit, operable via remote control.
  • Premium Double-Sided Remote Control: Crafted from high-quality aluminum.
  • Highly Rigid Chassis: Constructed from heavy aluminum blocks.
  • Semi-Floating Top Panel: Enhances sound openness.
  • Multi-Layered Chassis: Prevents interference among circuit components
  • Advanced Isolation Feet: Provides focused sound and an open soundstage.

MC Balanced Current Input – Technology

MC cartridges use smaller coils than MM cartridges to keep vibrating systems lighter and capable of picking up finer musical details. As a result, the output “voltage” is generally about 1/20th of that of MM cartridges. However, the MC cartridge, with its low-impedance coil and powerful magnet outside the vibrating system, can output a much higher “current” than the MM cartridge. In other words, the MC cartridge is a power generator that excels at delivering power in the form of “current” rather than “voltage.”
In the case of a conventional “voltage input,” the original rich current is converted by the load resistance into a tiny voltage signal of about 1/20th of that of an MM cartridge, resulting in various issues, such as S/N degradation due to the need for large amplification in the following stage, losses due to resistance, and unwanted changes in sonic characteristics due to impedance mismatch. On the other hand, the MC balanced current input allows the high power (high current) of the MC cartridge to be fed directly into the discrete amplifier, enabling the most efficient signal extraction without loss. Additionally, by feeding both ends (+/-) of the MC cartridge’s coil into a balanced amplifier, a signal can be extracted without noise. By using transistors originally designed for current amplification in the gain element, the E1 further enhances design rationality.

Main unit (top) Power supply/control unit (bottom)

Double-sided remote control (RC-1343)

Specifications
Inputs
  • Connectors
     XLR: × 3 pairs (for MC current input)
     RCA: × 1 pair (for MC/MM voltage input)
     OPTICAL: ×: 1 pair (for optical cartridges)
  • RCA Load resistance
     MC: 10 Ω, 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 560 Ω
     MM: 47 kΩ
  • RCA Load capacitance
     MM: 100 pF, 220 pF, 320 pF
Outputs
  • Connectors
     XLR/ESL-Analog: × 1 pair (switchable)
     RCA: × 1 pair
  • Output impedance
     XLR: 50 Ω
     RCA: 18 Ω
Audio performance
  • RIAA deviation: ±0.3 dB
  • Rated output
     XLR: 2 V
     RCA: 1 V
  • Maximum output (1% distortion)
     XLR: 6.6 V (XLR, RCA input) / 12 V (OPTICAL input)
     RCA: 3.3 V (XLR, RCA input) / 6 V (OPTICAL input)
  • Input sensitivity (1kHz)*:
     MC (current input): 1.2 mV
     MC (voltage input): 0.5 mV
     MM (voltage input): 10 mV
     OPTICAL: 50 mV
  • Gain*
     MC (current input): 65 dB (XLR output), 59 dB (RCA output)
     MC (voltage input): 72 dB (XLR output), 66 dB (RCA output)
     MM (voltage input): 46 dB (XLR output), 40 dB (RCA output)
     OPTICAL: 32 dB (XLR output), 26 dB (RCA output)
  • Current gain adjustment range: –9 to 0 dB (in 3dB steps)
  • Voltage gain adjustment range: –6 to +4 dB (in 2 dB steps)
  • Equalizer frequencies
     LOW LIMIT (Hz): 50, 71, 100
     TURNOVER (Hz): 800, 630, 500 (RIAA), 400, 350, 300, 250, FLAT
     ROLL OFF (10kHz dB): −16, −13.7 (RIAA), −12.7, −12, −10.5, −8, −6, FLAT
  • Total harmonic distortion (at 1 kHz, 22kHz LPF, rated output)
     MM: 0.008％
     OPTICAL: 0.02％
  • Subsonic filter: 16Hz, −6dB/octave
General
  • Power supply
      Model for Europe: AC 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz
      Model for US/Canada: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
  • Power consumption: 48W
  • Power consumption (In standby)
     Remote control input (RS-232C) OFF: 0.3W
     Remote control input (RS-232C) ON: 0.7W
  • External dimensions (W×H×D, including protrusions)
     Main unit: 445 × 131 × 445 mm / 17 ⅝" × 5 ¼" × 17 ⅝"
     Power supply/control unit: 445×131×451 mm / 17 ⅝" × 5 ¼" × 17 ⅞"
  • Weight
     Main unit: 20.7 kg / 45 ¾ lb
     Power supply/control unit: 23.4kg / 51 ⅝ lb
  • Included accessories: AC power cord × 1, DC power cords (male) × 2, DC power cord (female) × 1, Remote control (RC-1343) × 1, Batteries for remote control (AA) × 2, Owner’s manual × 1, Warranty card × 1

* [MC current input] measured with 0dB C.gain, 0dB Gain, and cartridge with 40Ω impedance
 [MM/MC voltage input] measured with 0dB Gain setting [OPTICAL] measured with HI Gain setting
*Design and specification subject to change without notice.

Links
Grandioso E1