Esoteric Grandioso K1 Unboxing

Mike,

Given the profuse praise, this Esoteric player and DAC seems like a significant upgrade over previous top of the line Esoteric players. How would you compare the sound of the Esoteric Grandioso K1 to the performance of the Berkeley Reference and Chord DAVE dacs?

Thanks,
Anshul

Mike said:
It really is. You describe it well. And it keeps getting better and better and better.


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Phishphan said:
24 hours of continuous play and it is sounding better and better. I have it set to XLR2 output and 8F digital filter. I like 8F and DSD the best so far.

I can’t believe how good this sounds. The sound is so nuanced it’s hard to put into words. It’s like an acid trip. It’s impossible to really explain, it just needs to be experienced.


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This is a very expensive player but amazing player! and I assume you didn't pay retail. But, still did you audition and or compare other players in this range? If so , what models? For example, the EMM XDS1V2 and DCS Rossini I believe are also a one box transport and DAC that would compete with this in terms of features. Although I don't think the Rossini plays SACDs. You must have a large SACD/CD collection. Enjoy!
 
apdoc2004 said:
Mike,

Given the profuse praise, this Esoteric player and DAC seems like a significant upgrade over previous top of the line Esoteric players. How would you compare the sound of the Esoteric Grandioso K1 to the performance of the Berkeley Reference and Chord DAVE dacs?

Thanks,
Anshul
Click to expand...

I've done a lot of comparisons between the three. The Chord DAVE is the undisputed 3D champion. Using proprietary filters, the Chord DAVE really achieves amazing spatial 3D qualities. The Grandioso K1 and Berk REF 2 are close in performance and it would ultimately come down to listener preference. The Grandioso K1 really raises the performance of the Esoteric digital hubs.
 
Anshul - are you coming to RMAF? We need to hang out again.


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apdoc2004 said:
Mike,

Given the profuse praise, this Esoteric player and DAC seems like a significant upgrade over previous top of the line Esoteric players. How would you compare the sound of the Esoteric Grandioso K1 to the performance of the Berkeley Reference and Chord DAVE dacs?

Thanks,
Anshul
Click to expand...

Hi Anshul,

I agree with Mike that the overall performance of the Berkeley Reference 2 DAC and the Esoteric Grandioso K1 are very close. Both DACs give you a high level of detail and nuance, incredible ease without any hint of digital artifacts, and outstanding midrange density.

The Berkeley is a bit warmer and more delicate in the midrange, and more textured in the bass. It is very tube-like in its presentation but without being colored or euphonic. The Esoteric provides a bigger soundstage and more precise imaging. It is also more neutral, has greater speed and dynamics, and has tighter bass.

You cannot go wrong with either one.

Best,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Hi Anshul,

I agree with Mike that the overall performance of the Berkeley Reference 2 DAC and the Esoteric Grandioso K1 are very close. Both DACs give you a high level of detail and nuance, incredible ease without any hint of digital artifacts, and outstanding midrange density. The Berkeley is a bit warmer and more delicate in the midrange, and more textured in the bass. It is very tube-like in its presentation but without being colored or euphonic. The Esoteric provides a bigger soundstage and more precise imaging. It is also more neutral, has greater speed and dynamics.

You cannot go wrong with either one.

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,
Thank you for your feedback on the 2 DACs. Your description of the attributes makes it a hard choice -- it almost sounds like one has to own both the DACs!!
Anshul
 
Mike,

Unfortunately, I just could not get my act together in time for this year's RMAF. I would have loved to hang out. I think I need to plan a trip to Florida to sample all the delicious audio fare that you have in your showroom!
Have a blast at RMAF!

Anshul

Mike said:
Anshul - are you coming to RMAF? We need to hang out again.


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apdoc2004 said:
Mike,

Unfortunately, I just could not get my act together in time for this year's RMAF. I would have loved to hang out. I think I need to plan a trip to Florida to sample all the delicious audio fare that you have in your showroom!
Have a blast at RMAF!

Anshul
Click to expand...

Yes! Any time.


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apdoc2004 said:
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your feedback on the 2 DACs. Your description of the attributes makes it a hard choice -- it almost sounds like one has to own both the DACs!!
Anshul
Click to expand...

Hi Anshul,

Certainly either one of these DACs will give you all you need in performance but they are different enough that having both gives you two different flavors in presentation. This is one of the reasons I purchased both. The other reason is I wanted a spinner for my SACDs and CDs in the K1 and a DAC in the Berkeley that can do full MQA from Tidal's rapidly growing MQA catalog.

I'm extremely happy with both components and they truly complement each other. The Berkeley does a wonderful job of scratching the itch for tube lovers as it provides all the positives of a tube presentation without the negatives or hassle. The K1 has all the best qualities of solid state but without any digital edge whatsoever. The bottom line is both are extremely musical.

Best,
Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Hi Anshul,

The Esoteric provides a bigger soundstage and more precise imaging. It is also more neutral, has greater speed and dynamics, and has tighter bass.


Best,
Ken
Click to expand...


It is the most fluid sound I’ve ever heard. The bass is so well defined but never boomy. It’s just rock solid. I’m incredibly happy with mine about 100 or so hours in.



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apdoc2004 said:
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your feedback on the 2 DACs. Your description of the attributes makes it a hard choice -- it almost sounds like one has to own both the DACs!!
Anshul
Click to expand...

Hi Anshul,

I'd like to say that the addition of an Esoteric rubidium master clock significantly improves the sound quality of the Esoteric Grandioso K1 in terms of overall realism and expansion of the soundstage. With the Esoteric rubidium master clock in place, in my opinion, the Grandioso K1 is in a class by itself compared to the other DACs previously mentioned.

Best,
Ken
 
Ken,
Thank you for the feedback. It must be something pretty amazing if it beats the Berkeley Reference II Dac. I will be on the lookout for any used Esoteric Grandioso K1 that might show up on the pre-owned market.
Did you ever get a chance to try the Chord DAVE in your system?
Thanks,
Anshul

Alpinist said:
Hi Anshul,

I'd like to say that the addition of an Esoteric rubidium master clock significantly improves the sound quality of the Esoteric Grandioso K1 in terms of overall realism and expansion of the soundstage. With the Esoteric rubidium master clock in place, in my opinion, the Grandioso K1 is in a class by itself compared to the other DACs previously mentioned.

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...
 
apdoc2004 said:
Ken,
Thank you for the feedback. It must be something pretty amazing if it beats the Berkeley Reference II Dac. I will be on the lookout for any used Esoteric Grandioso K1 that might show up on the pre-owned market.
Did you ever get a chance to try the Chord DAVE in your system?
Thanks,
Anshul
Click to expand...

Hi Anshul,

I've listened to the Chord Dave several times but have never had the opportunity to try it in my own system. It is an outstanding DAC, plus you can add the Chord transport if you want to spin CDs. Mike has done the direct comparison many times in his system, although I don't think he has the Esoteric master clock.

Best,
Ken
 
I haven’t spun cds in years, but the K1 sound so good it’s hard not to. CDs truly sound as good as SACD on most players. SACDs sound otherworldly


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Look Amazing. But....I wonder if, for NAS/TIDAL/QOBUZ streaming the K1 is as good as the dedicated N-01 which I believe uses the same DAC Chip ?

Indeed, HD/Streaming is my main priority, but since I also owe Cds, I might as well get a K1 instead of "a N-01 + a CD transport"... if (and only IF) the K1 is as good as the N-01 for streaming.

Also, can the streaming/High-res playback application used with the N-01 also be used with the K1, or... does the K1 can only use a more rudimentry player ?
 
bmichels said:
Look Amazing. But....I wonder if, for NAS/TIDAL/QOBUZ streaming the K1 is as good as the dedicated N-01 which I believe uses the same DAC Chip ?

Indeed, HD/Streaming is my main priority, but since I also owe Cds, I might as well get a K1 instead of "a N-01 + a CD transport"... if (and only IF) the K1 is as good as the N-01 for streaming.

Also, can the streaming/High-res playback application used with the N-01 also be used with the K1, or... does the K1 can only use a more rudimentry player ?
Click to expand...

I have a Grandioso K1 for sale. [emoji41].
 
bmichels said:
... if (and only IF) the K1 is as good as the N-01 for streaming.
Click to expand...

I would also like to know the answer to that.

K1 can't do DSD512, and you need another box for your streaming source. So I think whether you go for N-01 + CD transport or K1 + streaming source is really two flavors of good.
 
I can buy a new P1 or K1 for about the same price. What should I do, P1 and plug it into my N-01 via AES/EBU, or K1 direct to my pre-amp via XLR? (note: I'm currently using PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player for disc spinning).

And...

Would you bother clocking a P1 or K1 with a G-02X?
 
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