Audio Video News

Esoteric ‘Opens New Horizon’ with $27K SACD Player

SV Staff  |  Feb 20, 2017

Sometimes a product name says it all. Like the recently introduced Grandioso K1 SACD player from Toyko-based Esoteric, which sells for a cool 27 grand.

Highlights of the hand-built flagship include a 5mm-thick-steel bottom chassis supported by four patented vibration reducing feet, a high-precision VRDS-NEO VMK-3.5-20S transport mechanism, and the 32-bit AKM 4497 dual-mono D/A converter, described as the highest performance DAC in the history of Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), a global leader in the manufacturer of high-performance analog and digital integrated circuits.

The DAC features separate left and right power transformers and eight power supply regulators for each channel located next to each circuit to ensure a “clean and highly stable power supply.”

Esoteric has also developed ES-Link Analog, described as a high-quality current transmission method for connecting with its Grandioso F1 integrated amplifier.

“Every last corner of its electronic circuits have been refined, such as its 35-bit D/A processing algorithm, HCLD buffer amplifier, including 125,000 μf super capacitors, and high-precision clock,” according to Esoteric. “The Grandioso K1 opens up a new horizon for digital players.”

The player has XLR and RCA connectors.

For more information, visit esoteric-usa.com.

COMMENTS
dommyluc's picture
Submitted by dommyluc on February 20, 2017 - 3:44pm

I could really use an extra one to use in my bathroom. The acoustics in my john are phenomenal!
I'll bet there are about 214 people in this world who would be able to tell the difference in sound quality between this $27K SACD player and a top-of-the-line Oppo Blu-ray unit.

brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on February 21, 2017 - 5:41am

I can hear a world of difference between my Oppo BDP-105D and my Ayre Acoustics C-5xe MP.

brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on February 20, 2017 - 5:11pm

I still listen to mine but it seems like it's dying out.

mikem's picture
Submitted by mikem on February 23, 2017 - 12:02pm

As soon as I get my alimony check from my wife who divorced me after I bought a Revel HT set-up I'll write a check for this player. Sure I will..............

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