CES 2014

Esoteric Grandioso D1 Monoblock DAC

Jon Iverson  |  Jan 9, 2014

Yes, DACs can be bought as monoblocks just like amps. The D1 retails for $22k each (so that's $44k for a stereo pair) and includes Esoteric's proprietary ES-LINK4 connection allowing DSD transfer from the companion P1 transport as well as 48/352.8 PCM, both via an HDMI cable.

Both the P1 and its D1a can be connected by a BNC cable for clock sync, and the company says that the D1 employs a 36bit digital to analog processing algorithm for PCM. In addition to accepting the P1 signal via HDMI, the D1 has six more inputs including USB, AES/EBU, SPDIF (x2), optical and i.LINK.

COMMENTS
earwaxxer's picture
Submitted by earwaxxer on January 10, 2014 - 3:49pm

I can see people spending that kind of coin for an analog front end. It goes with the territory, and the related passion. For digtal it makes absolutely no sense. I mean if you have the cash and want to go high end why not the MSB Analog DAC for example? Save the cash, enjoy a great sounding DAC, there will be more and better down the road. I mean a 36bit D/A converter? - For that kind of cash I would expect 64bit. - thats just me. My computer operates in 64bit and it cost $800. These digital components cost NOTHING these days.

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