Upgrade pre-amp or CD-player

M

mostlybaffled

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Jul 1, 2025
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Hi,

My system at the moment is the K-01-XD CD player, the C-03-XS pre-amp, the N-03-T streamer and the S-02 power amp, all Esoteric. Speakers are Marten Parker Trio Diamond Edition.

My idea was to upgrade until I am just below the lofty Grandiose level.

There does not seem to be a pre-amp in the Esoteric range above the C-03 other than the Grandioso C-01. To me, this seems like a bit of a gap in the range.

For my next upgrade, I am considering getting the K-01-XD player in the SE version, or, a bit reluctantly, the Grandioso C-01 Solo.

Has anyonse else made one or both of these upgrades? Which one gave the best results please?

Many thanks.
 
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I'm not familiar enough to say.

I can tell you a friend had the Audio Research Ref 6 se preamp that I thought was excellent, he moved to the Esoteric Solo preamp and the improvement was significant IMO.

Welcome to the site.
 
mostly baffled, I have a solo and a K-01XD. I bought the solo under somewhat different circumstances from yours - after upgrading from a Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated halfway to separates, first a Luxman M-10X amp and then what pre? Luxman had not announced their matching C-10X pre, so I auditioned several pre-amps in my system (ARC, Constellation, and Pass) before choosing the Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo, IMO a really fine pre.
 
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I love, love, love my C1X Solo and soon afterwards added the Grandioso N1 and the synergy is understandably sublime. I did briefly audition a K1X with the Solo and loved what I heard but the N1 was announced around that time and I went for that instead. The N1 is noticeably better.

I really feel that Esoteric amplification doesn't get the kudos it deserves as most seem to focus on the brand's (well-earned) reputation as source leader but that leaves their amp gear lacking media exposure.
 
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