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  #1  
Old 04-19-2018, 10:51 PM
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Default Grandioso Review

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...wer-amplifier/
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:21 AM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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Outstanding...thank you for posting!
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Old 04-20-2018, 08:48 AM
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Mike... Great review, thanks!
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MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
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Old 04-20-2018, 07:25 PM
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You're welcome gents!
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  #5  
Old 04-23-2018, 04:07 AM
brodricj brodricj is offline
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"The D1 employs AKM’s top DAC chips...."

I don't think so...no further reading of review from that point for me.
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Old 04-23-2018, 08:21 AM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brodricj View Post
"The D1 employs AKM’s top DAC chips...."

I don't think so...no further reading of review from that point for me.
The AKM chipsets in the D1s are still one of the top offerings. AKM makes alot of different DAC chips, don't be fooled into thinking that only the latest 1 with the highest number is the top offering. I have said it before on this and other forums...a DAC chip is only 1 piece of the puzzle...it's also about the total implementation of the device that uses the DAC chip...
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Old 04-23-2018, 10:37 AM
nfreemer nfreemer is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAudiophile View Post
The AKM chipsets in the D1s are still one of the top offerings. AKM makes alot of different DAC chips, don't be fooled into thinking that only the latest 1 with the highest number is the top offering. I have said it before on this and other forums...a DAC chip is only 1 piece of the puzzle...it's also about the total implementation of the device that uses the DAC chip...


+1. Good post!
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Old 04-23-2018, 10:49 AM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nfreemer View Post
+1. Good post!
Thanks....there has been quite a few posts out there that say 'the K1 is the best because it utilizes AKM's XXXXX DAC' and now so will follow the K-01Xs. While the AKM chipset in question is amazing, it's by no means the only 'best' or 'top' that AKM offers. Many seem to be spun into a froth over a single chipset and stop thinking the component as a whole being what's important. The K1 and K-01Xs may now be the best in those lines that Esoteric has produced but it's not only because of the new DAC. BTW...I've heard the K1 against the full 4-box stack (now in 2 locations) including the D1s (and have also heard the 4-box DCS stack within 24 hours of hearing the K1 and 4-box) and even though the D1s are using an 'older' chipset, the combination is still, to my ears, the best playback experience I've heard. This is an opinion and I'll clearly state it as such....

Last edited by SCAudiophile; 04-23-2018 at 10:52 AM.
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  #9  
Old 04-25-2018, 04:05 PM
stock78 stock78 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCAudiophile View Post
Thanks....there has been quite a few posts out there that say 'the K1 is the best because it utilizes AKM's XXXXX DAC' and now so will follow the K-01Xs. While the AKM chipset in question is amazing, it's by no means the only 'best' or 'top' that AKM offers. Many seem to be spun into a froth over a single chipset and stop thinking the component as a whole being what's important. The K1 and K-01Xs may now be the best in those lines that Esoteric has produced but it's not only because of the new DAC. BTW...I've heard the K1 against the full 4-box stack (now in 2 locations) including the D1s (and have also heard the 4-box DCS stack within 24 hours of hearing the K1 and 4-box) and even though the D1s are using an 'older' chipset, the combination is still, to my ears, the best playback experience I've heard. This is an opinion and I'll clearly state it as such....
SCAudiophile,

Thanks for posting.
What do you think about the Esoteric K1 vs the DCS 4-box stack. Is the DCS (way) better, or just different and (mostly) a matter of preferences.
Not a lot of comparisons of DCS-Esoteric around so your opinion is very appreciated.
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  #10  
Old 04-26-2018, 03:53 PM
SCAudiophile SCAudiophile is offline
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DCS stack was very detailed, exceptionally good and musical overall similar to Esoteric 4box stack however I prefer the Esoteric stack for it stunning upper octaves and transients plus better articlulation and depth in the bass. I think I prefer it as well due to Esoteric's overall transparency. All opinion....

The DCS stack is clearly in the top tier of all playback options in the world.

The K1 to me is the ultimate middle ground with clarity, musicality and a touch more warmth than either 4 box stack ..it definitely gives a moment of pause at its price point versus spending way up the scale on either 4box stack. Then you have to add a true master clock to all to achieve the most of each,...definitely adds up. When the day is done, K1 packs a wallop in price and performance....

Last edited by SCAudiophile; 04-26-2018 at 03:56 PM.
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