Specifications

Grandioso K1XE Product Detail

A Symphony of Majesty and Elegance

In music, Grandioso represents more than just a style.
It embodies grandeur, majesty, and a sense of dignified brilliance.
It’s a term that resonates with those who seek perfection,
capturing the essence of something truly extraordinary.

Esoteric Grandioso series draws inspiration from this musical ideal,
delivering audio experiences that are nothing short of majestic.
Crafted for connoisseurs who demand the pinnacle of performance,
it transforms every listening moment into a masterpiece.

Since its founding in 1987, Esoteric has been a trailblazer in high-end audio innovation, earning global recognition as the pinnacle of Japanese audio excellence. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of master sound reproduction, Esoteric combines groundbreaking audio engineering with an unwavering pursuit of perfection.

Each Esoteric masterpiece is a testament to “museum-quality” craftsmanship, where precision engineering seamlessly blends with artistry. Esoteric products are not merely audio equipment; they are works of art, designed to celebrate the beauty of music in its purest form. Every detail from cutting-edge audio technologies to breathtakingly elegant designs is crafted to honor the dignity of music reproduction.

In classical music, a phrase that indicates how a piece of music should be played is called an expression mark. For example, “cantabile” (as if singing), “legato” (smoothly), and so on. A flagship model should have the dignity and stature of a top-of-the-line product. We named it “grandioso” (grand, majestic, dignified), which we likened to the expression mark of classical music.

Since its launch in 2013, the Grandioso series has established itself as an icon of innovation in high-end audio, introducing a number of groundbreaking digital audio technologies. These include the legendary VRDS-ATLAS Super Audio CD transport mechanism, the proprietary Master Sound Discrete DAC and Master Sound Discrete Clock based on Esoteric’s unique discrete circuit designs, and ES-Link digital signal transmission technology.

Flagship All-In-One Digital Player Featuring
the VRDS-ATLAS Super Audio CD Transport Mechanism
and Next-Generation Discrete DAC

The Grandioso K1XE is a flagship Super Audio CD player/DAC featuring the “VRDS-ATLAS”—which boasts the highest rigidity and heaviest construction in VRDS history—and the “Master Sound Discrete DAC G2,” a next-generation, discrete D/A converter developed entirely in-house by Esoteric.

Esoteric first introduced the unique Master Sound Discrete DAC in 2019. Now redesigned as the G2 (Generation 2), it has evolved to new heights while preserving its renowned musicality.
Meticulously engineered in accordance with the design philosophy of the Grandioso series, the Grandioso K1XE employs a fully dual-mono DAC configuration with completely independent power supply sections for the left and right channels, despite being housed in a single stereo chassis. Its large-scale architecture incorporates five independent linear power supplies dedicated to the left and right DACs, transport mechanism, digital circuitry, and microcomputer circuitry. This configuration achieves a smooth, full-bodied sound reminiscent of vinyl playback.
The Grandioso K1XE now features an ES-Link 5 digital input, enabling it to connect to the Grandioso N1T streaming transport and deliver exceptional performance as the ultimate integrated digital source system.
The Grandioso K1XE also offers flexible compatibility with a variety of system upgrades, including the optional Grandioso PS1XE external power supply and Grandioso G1X master clock generator.

The pinnacle of all-in-one Super Audio CD/DAC performance, the K1XE embodies both the present and future of high-end digital audio.

An Unprecedented Transport Mechanism That Takes You to the Furthest Reaches of Sound

VRDS (Vibration-Free Rigid Disc-Clamping System) is Esoteric’s proprietary CD/Super Audio CD transport technology. The system securely clamps the disc to a same-diameter turntable, suppressing rotational vibration as well as unwanted vibration generated by the mechanism itself. It also corrects disc warpage, significantly improving the alignment accuracy between the optical pickup and the disc’s pit layer while minimizing servo current. The result is a dramatic reduction in disc read errors, enabling exceptionally accurate signal retrieval and outstanding sound quality.

The VRDS-ATLAS platform boasts unprecedented mechanical perfection and superlative audio quality, with heavyweight construction (6.6kg for the mechanism alone, and 13.5kg including its base). The transport's large side panels and bridge are all formed of SS400 steel, and its turntable is made from duralumin, which is designed for its excellent sound quality. Also, its spindle features a specially designed thrust bearing system, for a friction-free one-point spindle support system that ensures smooth, noiseless turntable rotation.
Esoteric’s impressive VRDS-ATLAS is the quietest and most elegant transport in the history of VRDS. The key to achieving this was a resolute focus on mechanical grounding technology that more effectively reduces vibration. Adopting a wide & low-profile design for the entire mechanism helped achieve a lower center-of-gravity, and locating the turntable motor beneath the turntable dramatically shortens the vibration path to ground, helping to reduce mechanical noise.

Bringing Out All the Dynamics and Energy of Music

Esoteric Master Sound Discrete DAC G2 is a fully in-house-designed, FPGA-based, multi-level ΔΣ (delta-sigma) D/A converter built with meticulously selected discrete components. The ultimate goal is to effortlessly reproduce the true dynamics and power of music, far surpassing the limitations of conventional DAC IC chips. Breathtakingly powerful, dynamic, and musical, this architecture delivers the ultimate pure listening experience, without compromise.

Esoteric Master Sound Discrete DAC G2 supports the latest high-resolution digital formats, including 22.5 MHz DSD and 768 kHz PCM signals. To achieve D/A conversion that fully matches the characteristics of both DSD and PCM, dedicated FPGA digital processing algorithms have been independently developed for each format. The DAC employs ultra-high-precision selected discrete components, and achieves vivid live presence, superb dynamics, and an organic, natural texture. Esoteric’s advanced board-mounting technologies cultivated through the production of circuit boards for the audio, medical, aerospace, and defense industries ensure the exceptional manufacturing quality of the Master Sound Discrete DAC G2.

Evolution to G2 (Generation 2)
1. New Low-Noise Resistor Network
In a DAC, the resistor network is a critical circuit that converts the digital signal generated by the FPGA into an analog signal through precision resistor elements. For the new G2 version of the DAC, the circuit responsible for switching the resistor elements on and off is simplified and optimized. In addition, capacitors placed in close proximity to the resistor network improve current supply stability, enabling the generation of purer analog signals with significantly reduced noise.

2. Even Purer Separate Power Supply Lines
A new approach was adopted that involved separating the power supply lines for the FPGA and the other digital domain circuits, as well as the hot and cold power supplies for the analog domains. Each section is powered by its own power regulator. Reconstructing the power lines further improved sound purity.

3. Dual Buffer Circuit Equivalent to the Grandioso D1X SE
The analog output buffer amplifier, Esoteric-HCLD (High Current Line Driver), boasts an astonishing high-speed slew rate of 2,000 V/μs. The number of HCLD components has been doubled, implementing the same dual-buffer configuration (four circuits per channel) as used in the Grandioso D1X SE. This design further strengthens current output, delivering ultra-fast attack and enhanced dynamics.