Esoteric Grandioso P1X SE SACD Transport

From NEO to ATLAS

It has been 16 years since the VRDS-NEO Super Audio CD transport mechanism first debuted in 2003. Improving on the NEO transport posed a difficult challenge, as it had long been praised as offering the highest audio reproduction performance in the industry. However, the design was totally reengineered from the ground up, resulting in a completely new platform that boasts unparalleled levels of structural refinement and audio fidelity.

The Highest Rigidity and Heaviest Construction in the History of VRDS

ATLAS boasts the highest rigidity and weight in the history of VRDS mechanisms. With its larger new SS400 steel side panels and bridge, the ATLAS is 27% heavier (6.6kg mechanism unit, 13.5kg including base) than the NEO, achieving both exceptional rigidity and impressive tone. It also dampens any and all vibration that might adversely affect audio quality. The turntable is machined from solid duralumin for excellent audio quality, and its spindle features a newly designed thrust bearing system. This friction-free one-point spindle support system ensures smooth, noiseless turntable rotation.

Wide & Low Center-of-Gravity Design

One of the keys to achieving the quietest mechanism in VRDS history is mechanical grounding technology that efficiently dampens vibration. By adopting a wide and low profile for the mechanism's design, the entire construction now features a low center of gravity. The turntable's drive system has also been refined and its motor moved to below the turntable from its previous position above the bridge, thus shortening the route for grounding vibration and greatly reducing mechanical noise.

Elegant Tray Mechanism Operation

The tray’s form has been designed for the least possible resonance by minimizing hollowing, and boasts exceptionally smooth opening and closing operation with very little play. The use of special vibration-damping elastomer resin also further minimizes tray resonance during music playback.

ES-Link5 Digital Transmission

Esoteric’s own ES-Link digital interface utilizes HDMI cables for signal transmission. With the introduction of the P1X SE / D1X SE, ES-Link has been further upgraded to Ver. 5 and supports an even wider range of superior sound quality formats (Max. 22.5MHz DSD and 768kHz/48-bit PCM). HDMI's multi-conductor structure permits full balance transmission of audio data and LR clock and bit clock signals.

This differs from regular digital transmission as signal modulation is not required on the sender side and demodulation processing is not required on the receiver side, thus dramatically reducing digital processing loads on the DAC side and enabling ideal digital transmission.

Dual-Chassis Construction with Separate Power Supply

The P1X SE’s power supply, as a fundamental source of vibration, has from its very first iteration been designed and constructed as a separate yet integral unit in order to achieve the quietest possible disc read characteristics and higher audio quality.

Four Independent Toroidal Power Supply Transformers

The power supply incorporates a total of four independent toroidal transformers, which provide each circuit with a clean and powerful supply of electricity.

Low-Feedback DC Regulators

Both the P1X SE and D1X SE feature low-feedback discrete DC regulators. The reduction in feedback level helps achieve a vibrantly energetic sound that seemingly overflows with a sensation of openness.

EDLC Super Capacitors

Both the P1X SE and D1X SE include EDLC* super capacitors throughout their power supply circuitry. The P1X utilizes a total of 38 EDLCs (with a combined capacity of 1,400,00μF or 1.4F), while the D1X features a total of 50 EDLCs (for a combined capacity of 1,300,000μF/1.3F) for the pair. Through this maximization of power supply capacity, remarkable improvements in low-range resolution and audio quality have been achieved.

* EDLC(Electric Double-Layer Capacitor): Developed as next-generation power devices for the electric vehicle industry, these capacitors are attracting wider attention as cutting-edge technology due to their exceptionally high capacitance.

Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player

It is no exaggeration to say that the clock circuitry is the biggest key to high sound quality in digital music reproduction. For its flagship master clock generator Grandioso G1X, Esoteric has perfected its own in-house manufactured OCXO clock module, the Master Sound Discrete Clock. The G1X's unique discrete circuitry has been highly acclaimed for its superior musical expressiveness, creating a buzz in the world of high-end audio that has traditionally been described only in terms of technical specifications.

Features

“VRDS-ATLAS” Super Audio CD transport mechanism

“ES-Link5” ultra-wide range digital transmission

Two chassis configuration (main unit + power supply unit)

“Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player” – in-house developed discrete clock module

Clock sync function

Low-feedback discrete DC regulators*

Four independent toroidal power supply transformers

Semi-floating top panel

Redesigned pinpoint foot

Double-faced Remote Control with thick aluminium fascia (RC-1333)

Specifications

Playable disc types Super Audio CD, CD (including CD-R and CD-RW)

Digital audio outputs

ES-LINK 1

XLR 2 pairs(During Dual AES output, one connector each for left and right channels of a stereo pair)

RCA 1 pair

Clock input

BNC 1

Input imepedance 50Ω

Input level Sine wave 0.5 to 1.0Vrms

Input frequency 10MHz (±10ppm)

General

Power supply

AC 220 - 240V, 50/60Hz

AC 120V, 60Hz

AC 220V, 60Hz

Power consumption 20W

External dimensions (W×H×D)

Main unit 445 × 162 × 449mm

17-⅝" × 6-½" × 17-¾" (including protrusions)

Power supply unit 445 × 132 × 452mm

17-⅝" × 5-¼" × 17-⅞" (including protrusions)

Weight

Main unit 29kg / 64 lb

Power supply unit 24kg / 53 lb

Included accessories Power cord set × 1

DC power connection cord × 2

HDMI cable × 1

Remote control (RC-1333) × 1

AA batteries × 2

Felt pads × 8

Owner's manual × 1

Warranty card × 1