Grandioso K1 in the House!

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

The Grandioso K-1 and K-01X have 35 bit processing (8 DACs per channel) because they can't fit 16 DACs per channel (for 36 bit processing) inside the unit. The D-02X and Grandioso D-1 have space for 16 DACs per channel inside the unit because there is no transport.

Ken

Thanks...great summary. Power supplies, separation of channels and boards are other areas where the separates will excel as there is more room to work with. A senior technical person at Esoteric told me (FWIW as I'm just a customer) that the 2 and 4 box offerings will always have an edge in performance over the best of the best single-box units no matter how fantastic they become. The unanswered question of course is if the K1 gets 'real close' to the 02X and 1 units today (but obviously does not eclipse them), what exactly does Esoteric have on the drawing board for the future of the separates? Should be very interesting

[stock78]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

The Grandioso K-1 and K-01X have 35 bit processing (8 DACs per channel) because they can't fit 16 DACs per channel (for 36 bit processing) inside the unit. The D-02X and Grandioso D-1 have space for 16 DACs per channel inside the unit because there is no transport.

Ken

Thanks PlanarSpeakerFan!

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The K1 actually sounds better than the D02-X

Hi Ivan,

I am really surprised to hear that. I would have expected the D-02X's 16 DACs per channel and 36 bit processing to more than eclipse the improvement derived from the Grandioso K-1's AKM DAC upgrade to the 4497EQ chip. Is the newest AKM DAC that much better or are there some other driving factors?

Thanks,
Ken

[SuperD]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Ivan,

I am really surprised to hear that. I would have expected the D-02X's 16 DACs per channel and 36 bit processing to more than eclipse the improvement derived from the Grandioso K-1's AKM DAC upgrade to the 4497EQ chip. Is the newest AKM DAC that much better or are there some other driving factors?

Thanks,
Ken

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Ivan,

I am really surprised to hear that. I would have expected the D-02X's 16 DACs per channel and 36 bit processing to more than eclipse the improvement derived from the Grandioso K-1's AKM DAC upgrade to the 4497EQ chip. Is the newest AKM DAC that much better or are there some other driving factors?

Thanks,
Ken

Ken... I am more than surprised myself, factor in my D02-X is broken in and the K1 isn't, and it becomes even more impressive.

[-E-]

Would be a fun blind a/b when you get back up north...

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Ivan,

Thanks for the info. I have always believed that in the end, it should come down primarily to listening more than specs. But it makes my heart happy when both match up.

Looking at the Grandioso K-1's AK4497EQ DAC chip and the D-02X's AK4490EQ DAC chip, an 8 decibel increase in signal to noise for the AK4497EQ over the AK4490EQ is a material reduction in noise. And there could be algorithm revisions as well, leading to further refinement of sound. This could be driving what you're hearing.

Best,
Ken

"VERITA" AK4497EQ
128dB 768kHz/32-bit 2ch Next Flagship Premium DAC

The AK4497 is a next flagship premium DAC. VELVET SOUND architecture has been improved enhancing its sound quality with our newly developed LSI manufacturing process that is exclusive for AKM’s audio devices. It realizes the highest performance of 128dB (stereo) S/N and -116dB THD+N characteristics among AKM’S D/A converters. The digital input supports up to 768kHz PCM and 22.4MHz DSD, the top performance in the industry. In addition, a sound quality optimized 32-bit digital filter is newly added to the other filters found in our previous generation device.
The AK4497 is ideal for a high-resolution audio source playback for network audio, SACD players and high-end audio systems.
- Maximum Sampling Frequency, Bit rate: PCM 768kHz/32-bit, DSD 22.4MHz
- SNR:128dB
- THD+N: -116dB
- Sound Color Digital Filter: 6 types


"VERITA" AK4490EQ
120dB 768kHz/32-bit 2ch New Generation Premium DAC

The AK4490EQ is a new generation flagship 32-bit stereo Premium DAC. Digital input supports PCM inputs up to 768kHz and DSD input of 2.8MHz/5.6MHz / maximum 11.2MHz the industry's highest level. Internal circuit employs a newly developed 32bit Digital Filter considering sound quality.
It is ideal for the system such as Network Audio Player focusing sound quality, SACD player, high-end audio system supporting high resolution sound source.
- Maximum Sampling Frequency, Bit rate: PCM768kHz/32-bit, DSD256(11.2MHz)
- SNR:120dB
- THD+N: -112dB
- Sound Color Digital Filter: 5 types

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Ken... I am more than surprised myself, factor in my D02-X is broken in and the K1 isn't, and it becomes even more impressive.

Hi Ivan,

How much better would you say the Grandioso K-1 sounds than the D-02X? Is it just a slight improvement or is it more significant? In what areas are you hearing the improvement? Does the K-1 have more ease than the D-02X?

Thanks so much,
Ken

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

Hi Ivan,

How much better would you say the Grandioso K-1 sounds than the D-02X? Is it just a slight improvement or is it more significant? In what areas are you hearing the improvement? Does the K-1 have more ease than the D-02X?

Thanks so much,
Ken

Ken... I'll do even better, I am boxing up my K1 and getting ready to ship it to Cape Cod. Once there, I will be able to do side by side comparisons with the D02-X

[Masterlu]

FWIW, I have already sold quite a few K1's to AA members.