Esoteric Grandioso D1X SE Mono DAC

Master Sound Discrete DAC

The Master Sound Discrete DAC features a totally original design that represents the culmination of Esoteric's quest for an original master sound. Its high 64-bit/512Fs resolution provides vast improvements over our earlier DAC's 36-bit resolution, and enables support for the latest technologies such as playback of 22.5MHz DSD and 768kHz PCM audio. All processing is handled by Esoteric's own FPGA algorithm, and a discrete circuit design forgoes the use of generic DAC ICs in order to actualize Esoteric‘s vision down to the finest detail.

High 64-Bit/512Fs Resolution

How close can digital come to analog? With Esoteric's Master Sound Discrete DAC, this question becomes a thing of the past. The Master Sound Discrete DAC's 64-bit/512Fs resolution is the highest in Esoteric history, reducing digital rounding error to an absolute minimum in order to enable the faithful reproduction of the subtlest of textures.

Support for DSD 22.5 MHz DSD and 768 kHz PCM

The Master Sound Discrete DAC easily supports a broad range of formats, and can provide native playback of high resolution DSD master files. This impressive performance is merely one of its superlative attractions.

Our Aim Was to Faithfully Reproduce All the Vibrancy and Energy of Music.

64-bit/512Fs resolution and overwhelming performance. However, the true essence of this DAC cannot be discussed merely in terms of its specifications. The fundamental goal in the development of the Master Sound Discrete DAC was to achieve an accurate, full-bodied reproduction of all the vibrancy and energy of music. Music is infused with all the passion that a performer brings to a passage, with instantaneous and explosive energy. We wondered if it was possible to use higher-grade parts than integrated chips, as well as more luxurious materials, to create a more powerful DAC that could deliver a superlative analog signal. This idea led us to the discrete DAC. Esoteric's top engineering team painstakingly invested their very pride into realizing this complete, full-bodied sound.

Luxurious Materials and Powerful Electrical Current Output

Featuring four DAC circuits per channel, their eight circuit elements are arranged in a semi-circle for equidistant signal transmission within each DAC. This total of 32 circuit elements are arranged in two circles that present a luxurious structure with all constituent components, including resistors, logic ICs, and power supplies, separated for all 32 of the circuits. Since each of these 32 circuits utilizes an independent power supply circuit, the music's full burst of energy can be output in its purest form. Furthermore, by selecting the same sort of ultra-high precision resistors used in measuring instruments, the DAC can perform high-speed digital arithmetic processing with greater accuracy.

Upgraded with IDM-01 and Other Quality Parts

In the new SE model, the discrete parts of the analog circuitry on the DAC board have been refreshed for even better sound quality. The amplifier element is the original "Integrated Discrete-Amplifier Module IDM-01". The materials, circuit patterns, and layout have been carefully studied by Esoteric's engineers as if designing an amplifier with a discrete configuration, and the extremely short signal path that takes advantage of integrated circuits amplifies the vibrancy of music in a dynamic and subtle way. The IDM-01 and other analog parts, such as analog filter resistors and capacitors, have been carefully selected to achieve a more vivid live sound, improved audible dynamics, and a more organic texture.

Advanced Quality Control

With a discrete DAC, where component tolerances are directly linked to arithmetic precision, highly advanced quality control is also required for the manufacture of electronic circuit boards. Esoteric's own in-house factory boasts some of the world's leading board mounting technologies, such as soldering performed in an oxygen-free furnace, which is located in a clean room featuring the same level of cleanliness found in a hospital operating room. Technologies cultivated in the production of electronic circuit boards for audio, medical, aerospace, and defense industries support the high production quality of the Master Sound Discrete DAC.

Monoblock DAC

Setting its sights on achieving the highest levels of D/A conversion capability, Esoteric created the world's first monoblock D/A converter in 2004 with the D-01. The latest in this lineage of flagship D/A converters is the Grandioso D1X SE. Brushed up and liberally infused with new technologies, the D1X SE lets you fully enjoy the excellent channel separation of a dual monaural configuration coupled with truly stereophonic sound.

Esoteric-HCLD Output Buffer*

A fundamental element of audio quality, the Esoteric-HCLD output buffer amp is mounted on a separate board from the D/A converter, and its circuits have been upgraded to double the scale of the original Grandioso D1. As an indicator of its response speed, the buffer amp's main components boast an astoundingly high slew rate of 2,000V/μs. This buffer amp also features a four circuit parallel configuration for RCA output, and an extravagant configuration of two hot and cold circuits each for balanced XLR output. This enables the D1X to approach the very limits of powerful current-mode transmission and speed, which are the most important elements of an analog output circuit, and help reproduce the full reality of music with breathtaking dynamic range and clarity.

* HCLD: High Current Line Driver

Features

“Master Sound Discrete DAC” – In-house developed FPGA, 64bit/512Fs Delta-Sigma modulator

Up-graded DAC board with specially selected quality parts including IDM-01

“ES-Link5” ultra-wide range digital transmission (DSD 22.5MHz, PCM 768kHz/48bit)

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

“Esoteric-HCLD” output buffer amplifier (slew rate: 2,000V/μs)

“ES-Link Analog” current signal transmission output

Clock sync function

Low-feedback discrete DC regulators

Two independent toroidal power supply transformers/ch

MQA decoder / up-convert function

USB input (DSD 22.5MHz, PCM 768kHz/32bit, asynchronous transmission)

Semi-floating top panel

Redesigned pinpoint foot

Specifications

Digital audio inputs

ES-LINK 2

Input signal formats Linear PCM (ES-LINK5 format)

44.1k to 768kHz 48bit

DSD (ES-LINK5 format)

2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz

XLR 1

Input level 5.0Vp-p

Input impedance 110Ω

Input signal formats

(DUAL connection) Linear PCM (DUAL AES format)

88.2k to 384kHz, 16bit to 24bit

Linear PCM (ES-LINK3 format)

88.2k to 192kHz, 48bit

DSD (ES-LINK1, ES-LINK2, DoP format)

2.8MHz

Input signal formats

(SINGLE connection) Linear PCM (AES/EBU format)

32k to 192kHz, 16bit to 24bit

DSD (ES-LINK1, ES-LINK2, DoP format)

2.8MHz

RCA 2

Input level 0.5Vp-p

Input impedance 75Ω

Input signal formats Linear PCM (IEC60958 format)

32k to 192kHz, 16bit to 24bit

DSD (DoP format)

2.8MHz

OPTICAL 1

Input level –24.0 to –14.5dBm peak

Input signal formats Linear PCM (IEC60958 format)

32k to 192kHz, 16bit to 24bit

DSD (DoP format)

2.8MHz

USB 1 (USB2.0 standatd)

Input signal formats Linear PCM 44.1k to768kHz, 16bit to 32bit

DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz

Analog audio outputs

XLR/ESL-A x 1 (mono) each for left and right channels

Output impedance 100Ω (XLR)

Maximum outout level 5.0Vrms (XLR, 1kHz, full scale PCM signal input, 10kΩ loaded)

RCA x 1 (mono) each for left and right channels

Output impedance 47Ω

Maximum output level 2.5Vrms (1kHz, full scale PCM signal input 10kΩ loaded)

Clock input

BNC x 1 each for left and right channels

Input impedance 50Ω

Input level Sine wave 0.5 to 1.0Vrms

Frequency that can be input 10MHz (±10ppm)

General

Power supply

AC 220 to 240V. 50/60Hz

AC 120V, 60Hz

AC 220V, 60Hz

AC 230V, 50Hz

Power consumption 20W

External dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 132 × 448mm

17-⅝" × 5-¼" × 17-¾" (including protrusions)

Weight

Left channel 23.1kg / 51 lb

Right channel 23.0kg / 51-¾ lb

Included accessories Power cord × 1

HDMI cables × 2

Felt pads × 8

Owner's manual × 1

Warranty card × 1

Audio performance

Frequency response 5Hz to 30kHz (–3dB, 192kHz PCMsignal input)

S/N ratio 113dB

Distortion 0.0007% (when 1kHz, D/A converter operation mode set to M3)