A complete Grandioso stack consisting of six units – Grandioso N1T, P1X SE, D1X SE and G1X – for the ultimate omni-digital source system.
The Grandioso N1T, combined with two D1X SE mono DACs, is Esoteric's ultimate 3-chassis streamer. The ES-Link5 connection using two HDMI cables and the complete separation of the left and right D/A circuits provide excellent resolution, channel separation and noise-free, pure playback quality. The system has a total of seven independent power supplies, and this system offers a three-dimensional, dynamic sound with analog purity at the highest level. ES-Link5 is a unique Esoteric digital interface that provides ultra-wideband digital transmission. It uses two HDMI cables to transmit the left and right channels separately, and supports wideband transmission up to DSD 22.5MHz. Utilizing the multi-strand structure of HDMI, it transmits each signal of "Audio Data", "LR Clock" and "Bit Clock" in a fully balanced manner. Unlike normal digital transmission, it does not require the signal modulation process on the sending side or the demodulation process on the receiving side, and this innovative approach significantly reduces the digital processing load on the DAC, ensuring superior sound quality.
By connecting the N1T to the K1X SE, you can enjoy both Super Audio CD and network sources, taking full advantage of the outstanding sound quality of the K1X SE's built-in Master Sound Discrete DAC. The N1T's USB output is a dedicated audio output terminal, and like the ES-Link5, it is completely isolated from the network engine and powered by a dedicated audio power supply. The USB port supports digital audio playback up to DSD 22.5MHz and PCM 768kHz/32bit, making it compatible with a variety of high-end DACs equipped with USB connectivity. Additionally, the N1T features two additional digital outputs (XLR × 1, RCA × 1).
The N1T is equipped with the 4th generation "Esoteric Network Engine G4", a newly developed top-of-the-line engine with the processing power worthy of a flagship streamer. The new engine features large-capacity RAM, a powerful CPU, and an SFP port for optical network connections. The Esoteric Network Engine G4 is a concentrated embodiment of the design philosophy unique to high-end products. It boasts a dedicated linear power supply that is completely independent of the audio power supply, ensuring signal purity. Each component of the engine is independently powered through separate transformer windings. Moving beyond conventional switching power supplies, Esoteric incorporates premium components such as a large toroidal transformer, custom capacitors, Schottky barrier diodes, and other oversized parts. This meticulous engineering results in a sound that is smooth, vinyl-like, and richly detailed.
The Esoteric Network Engine G4 is equipped with a built-in network switch function and has two network interfaces: an Ethernet RJ45 connector and an SFP port. By connecting the N1T to an external network device (such as a switch) using an SFP module and fiber optic cable, you can isolate the signal from network noise, achieving unparalleled purity in playback. Alternatively, a metal cable connection using a Direct Attach Cable (DAC) can simplify the network signal path by reducing the number of circuits involved. For maximum flexibility, both the RJ45 and SFP ports can be used simultaneously. For example, you can connect a NAS to the RJ45 port while using the SFP port for an external network connection (or vice versa), tailoring the setup to your preferences and requirements.
The N1T is equipped with USB ports (USB-A x1, USB-C x1) and can be used as a music server/NAS by connecting up to two USB storage devices (flash drive, HDD/SSD).
By designing the audio circuit as a separate component from the network engine, the N1T achieves a clear and beautifully immersive sound, befitting its status as a flagship streamer. The connection between the network engine and the audio circuit is routed through a large isolator, effectively eliminating potential noise from the network. Additionally, the power supply is a large, dedicated linear power unit that operates independently of the network engine. By drawing power directly from a transformer with separate windings for each component, the N1T delivers a sound that is both crystal-clear and powerfully dynamic.
The N1T has 3 independent power supply systems that ensure ideal power supply capabilities for each of the three circuit blocks (the network engine, audio circuit, and control circuit). Each power supply has its own low-feedback DC regulator in a discrete configuration. By reducing the amount of feedback, the N1T achieves a powerful, open sound.
In digital music reproduction, the clock circuitry plays a pivotal role in determining sound quality. Esoteric’s flagship master clock generator, the Grandioso G1X, features the in-house developed Master Sound Discrete Clock, a groundbreaking OCXO clock module. Renowned for its superior musical expressiveness, this innovation has set a new standard in high-end audio, sparking excitement in a field often dominated by technical specifications. Building on the celebrated design of the G1X, the Master Sound Discrete Clock brings this exceptional technology to the N1T. Designed with Esoteric’s meticulous attention to detail, it incorporates carefully selected discrete components, including a large crystal oscillator, to achieve sound quality unmatched by off-the-shelf clock modules. This proprietary circuit design embodies Esoteric’s philosophy of perfection, delivering an unparalleled listening experience that captures the soul of music with breathtaking accuracy and depth. With the Master Sound Discrete Clock, the N1T transforms digital playback into an art form, setting a new benchmark for precision and musicality in high-end streaming.
It is also possible to further enhance sound quality by adding the Grandioso G1X master clock to your system, synchronizing the N1T and DACs to an ultra-pure, high-precision 10MHz clock. * When connecting the N1T and external DAC via USB, asynchronous transmission is utilized. This eliminates the need for an external clock input to the N1T. In such configurations, simply connect the G1X to the DAC for optimal results.
The N1T is compatible with 22.5MHz DSD, 384kHz/32-bit PCM playback and a host of other formats (DSF, DSDIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC and MQA). The N1T can also play back the 32-bit float format popular in the professional audio industry. Gapless playback capability is also offered in all lossless formats.
The Esoteric Sound Stream app, available for both Apple iOS and Android devices, is designed to combine exceptional sound quality with effortless usability. Tailored for smartphones and tablets, this innovative app allows users to easily browse, manage, and customize their music playback experience with just a few taps. With its intuitive interface, creating and managing playlists becomes seamless. All screens are thoughtfully designed for straightforward navigation, ensuring that music libraries and playlists are easily accessible to users of any experience level. At the same time, the app offers a suite of advanced features to satisfy even the most seasoned audiophiles.
A standout feature of the Esoteric Sound Stream app is its powerful search and retrieval system, which takes full advantage of tag information. Users can scroll through album artwork and libraries, organizing tracks by artist, recording year, composer, or other categories. This precise tagging functionality even differentiates between tracks with the same name in different formats, ensuring a streamlined and user-friendly experience.
The app supports the storage of album images, allowing users to enjoy a visually rich browsing experience. Instantly scroll through album artwork for a deeper connection to your library while enjoying detailed organization at your fingertips.
Esoteric has partnered with a wide array of streaming service and audio codec providers, and preparations are currently underway to provide compatibility with newer services. *Information on newly supported services will be released on Esoteric’s website. *Please note that regional restrictions may be applied on some services.
TIDAL Begin your encounters with new music through TIDAL, a high-end music streaming service that has officially partnered with Esoteric. TIDAL’s lossless music distribution service operates on a fixed rate basis. Offering instant access to its enormous sound library, TIDAL enables users to enjoy their favorite music online with excellent sound quality. Learn more here:
qobuz Founded in 2007 and a pioneer of high quality sound, Qobuz is the French music streaming and download platform for those who want to live and share their passion for music. Available in 26 countries (as of 2024) around the world, in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Japan, Qobuz offers an exceptional range of exclusive editorial content written by a team of experts. With its catalog of more than 100 million tracks, Qobuz also has the richest choice of high-resolution (Hi-Res) titles. Learn more here:
roon ready Roon is the most engaging, enjoyable way to browse your music. Being Roon Ready means that Esoteric network players transparently discover and connect to Roon, with no network configuration, with bitperfect delivery of audio to your dac. Together, Roon and Esoteric deliver the power, flexibility, and performance benefits of networked audio, with the easiest setup and highest reliability available. Regarding roon ready, we are currently undergoing certification testing. We will announce on the website when we have officially decided to support roon ready. RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport) Dedicated Mode The N1T is equipped with a dedicated RAAT mode that reduces the CPU processing load by disabling all network functions except those required for RAAT, thereby improving playback quality when using Roon.
Spotify Spotify is an on-line music streaming service delivering over 40 million music. Two types of services are provided, a basic service called “Spotify Free” for free, and on-demand and high-quality sound subscription serive called “Spotify Premium” at flat rate. Learn more here:
MQA MQA is an award-winning technology that delivers master quality audio in a file that's small enough to stream or download. Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, MQA captures and authenticates the sound of the original studio performance. Learn more here:
To achieve the singular design goal of “reproducing the master sound” the N1T chassis optimally controls all vibrations that affect sound quality. The mechanical engineering of the chassis is comparable to that of a Formula 1 car, with the balance between rigidity and flexibility pushed to the limit. The sleek and clean shape of the chassis is a testament to its high level of perfection. The cabinet, which requires rigidity, extensively utilizes heavyweight aluminum blocks to ensure no resonance, while the top panel features a semi-floating structure for a more open sound.
The chassis, which secures each circuit component, is a multi-layer construction using multiple steel plates. Each circuit component is mounted on a separate layer and arranged in a three-dimensional layout to minimize physical and electrical interference. In the power supply section, the circuit board and power transformer are also placed on different layers to suppress the transmission of transformer vibrations to the circuit board. The bottom chassis, on which the transformer is mounted, is laser-cut with precision slits, and Esoteric’s unique pinpoint isolation feet effectively dissipate vibrations to the ground.
Esoteric’s unique patented isolation foot, which integrates a spike and spike pad, has been further refined and developed. Suspended from the lower chassis, the top of the foot connects to the lower chassis under the weight of the unit when placed. The top of the foot has been tapered to a conical shape to minimize the contact area between the chassis and the foot. The bottom of the foot (integral spike pad) is also concave in a ring shape so that it touches the floor only at the edges, with added slots to disperse resonant modes. By minimizing the contact area between the chassis and the foot, as well as between the spike pad and the floor, vibration control has been optimized, resulting in sharper focus and a more open sound.
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