Esoteric Grandioso K1 Unboxing

What a beautiful player! Please share your thoughts on audio, Mike, once you've had enough time with it.
 
kkfan said:
What a beautiful player! Please share your thoughts on audio, Mike, once you've had enough time with it.
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I will tell you, it's freaking amazing. I mean, so good, it's thrown me for a loop. I was expecting it to be good, but it's truly at the upper echelon level. It is so smoooooooth. The last tiny bit of digital hash is gone. The Grandioso K1 sports the new AKM chip called "velvet sound". I will tell you, that aptly describes it.

http://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/featured/velvetsound/


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Mike said:
I will tell you, it's freaking amazing. I mean, so good, it's thrown me for a loop. I was expecting it to be good, but it's truly at the upper echelon level. It is so smoooooooth. The last tiny bit of digital hash is gone. The Grandioso K1 sports the new AKM chip called "velvet sound". I will tell you, that aptly describes it.

http://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/featured/velvetsound/


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Thanks, Mike!

Sounds like a winner all the way! [emoji106]
 
Mike said:
I will tell you, it's freaking amazing. I mean, so good, it's thrown me for a loop. I was expecting it to be good, but it's truly at the upper echelon level. It is so smoooooooth. The last tiny bit of digital hash is gone. The Grandioso K1 sports the new AKM chip called "velvet sound". I will tell you, that aptly describes it.

http://www.akm.com/akm/en/product/featured/velvetsound/


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Hi Mike,

I've read that beautiful beast needs at least 500 hours of burn in. What are you at so far?

Best,
Ken
 
Alectiong said:
Would be keen to know how it compares to the K-01X in SQ.


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It's better - no doubt. A client who did a shootout last week said the K1 was a "major improvement in all areas" over the K-01x. I would say it's smoother, removes that last bit of digital "hash", bigger soundstage and it's true to its name "velvet sound".


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I have always enjoyed their gear. Some of the best looking, best built and great sounding. Heard a bunch when I was in Japan and I have a local dealer I do some business with who always has their top pieces out.
 
Does the K1 have the same suite of upsamplings and digital filters as the K-01x? If yes, I wonder if anyone who tried them can share their preferences of the settings.


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Alectiong said:
Does the K1 have the same suite of upsamplings and digital filters as the K-01x? If yes, I wonder if anyone who tried them can share their preferences of the settings.


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No filters on the Grandioso K1.
 
Mike said:
No filters on the Grandioso K1.
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That is right , no filters for CD. For DSD, the setting is either OFF or ON, but no further information given. I received my unit today. Right out of the box , it sounds fuller with more meat on the bones compared to K-01X. Will see what happens after a few weeks .
301f7a64750414aa8264c105945084fe.jpg
fa536a7dccccf2a8140ba8fb2eb8f4c5.jpg



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Alectiong said:
That is right , no filters for CD. For DSD, the setting is either OFF or ON, but no further information given. I received my unit today. Right out of the box , it sounds fuller with more meat on the bones compared to K-01X. Will see what happens after a few weeks .
301f7a64750414aa8264c105945084fe.jpg
fa536a7dccccf2a8140ba8fb2eb8f4c5.jpg



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Congrats Alectiong. It's a wonderful piece. It really is the complete digital hub. I love mine and yes, I agree with your comments vs the K-01x.
 
This new akm dac has several digital filters "on board". Perhaps Esoteric can confirm which one is active when playing back red book.
 
Audiophon said:
Hi Mike,
How does the T&A PDP 3000 compare to the Esoteric with SACD/CD?


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Comparing to the K-01x?

The T+A gets the nod in the build quality, transport. Sonically, they are both excellent. The T+A has a very fast dynamic, lively sound with a touch of sweetness. The Esoteric is maybe a little more relaxed.

The Grandioso K1 though is another story sonically.


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Thanks Mike! Can you compare the sound of the Grandioso to Lampi GG? Are they in the sand sonic league (sure... one is a DAC and the other a transport and DAC, so difficult to compare...)?


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