Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Esoteric Grandioso M1X monoblock power amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: dCS Rossini Apex DAC and Vivaldi Master Clock; Innuos Statement NextGen Music Server; Uptone Audio EtherRegen, AfterDark Giesemann Emperor Double Crown Master Clock, and Nordost QNet Ethernet Switch, all powered by Nordost QSource linear power supplies (2); Synology 5-bay 1019+ NAS, Small Green Computer Sonore Deluxe opticalModule, Linksys mesh router and Arris modem, all powered by HDPlex 300 linear power supply; Apple 2017 iPad Pro and 2017 MacBook Pro laptop with 2.8GHz Intel i7, SSD, 16GB RAM.
Preamplifier: Dan D'Agostino Momentum HD.
Power amplifier: Dan D'Agostino Progression M550 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia V.
Cables: Digital: Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 (USB and Ethernet), Frey 2 (USB adapter); AudioQuest WEL Signature, Wireworld Platinum Starlight Cat8 (Ethernet), OM1 62.5/125 multimode duplex (fiberoptic). Interconnect: Nordost Odin 2, AudioQuest Dragon. Speaker: Nordost Odin 2, AudioQuest Dragon. AC: Nordost Odin 2, Valhalla 2; AudioQuest Dragon and Firebird. Umbilical cords: Ghent Audio Canare for HDPlex 300 LPS and NAS; QSource Premium DC cables with Lemo terminations for QSources.
Accessories: Grand Prix Monza 8-shelf double rack and amp stands, 1.5" Formula platform; Symposium Ultra Platform; Nordost 20-amp QB8, QKore 1 and 6; Titanium and Bronze Sort Kones, Sort Lifts; Stromtank S 2500 Quantum MK II power generator; AudioQuest Niagara 7000 and Niagara 5000 power conditioners, NRG Edison outlets, JitterBugs; ADD-Powr Sorcer X4; Wilson Audio Pedestals; A/V RoomService Polyflex Diffusers; Resolution Acoustics room treatment; Stillpoints Clouds (8) and Aperture 1 (2) and 2 (2) acoustic treatments; HRS DPX-14545 Damping Plates; Stein Music Blue Suns; Bybee Room Neutralizers; Absolare Stabilians; Marigo Aida CD mat.
Room: 20' L × 16' W × 9'4" H.—Jason Victor Serinus

COMPANY INFO
Esoteric Company
1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi
Tokyo 206-8530
Japan
(042) 356-9100
www.esoteric.jp/en
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Dennis in NJ's picture
Submitted by Dennis in NJ on March 24, 2023 - 7:31am

With all the technology and engineering devoted to the Grandioso M1X, it is a shame it takes days to warm-up and sound its best. I would have hoped there was a solution to overcome this, and bring warm-up/opening-up time into the realm of hours. Maybe something like the "high bias" option of some Parasound amps. Perhaps this is not possible; but having to wait days for the sound to open-up is a deal breaker for me. Plus in these "green" days, it is objectionable to have to leave a 400 watt draw on all the time for peak performance! Maybe some clever solution can be devised by Esoteric as an upgrade.

Gregory68's picture
Submitted by Gregory68 on April 2, 2023 - 3:59pm

I just can’t see myself being that eccentric to have a listening room with the music always playing just so it was at its best. Turning up the bias seems like the option or perhaps some heaters to bring the amp up to operating temperature. Otherwise I really enjoyed the read.

Gregory68's picture
Submitted by Gregory68 on April 2, 2023 - 3:59pm

I just can’t see myself being that eccentric to have a listening room with the music always playing just so it was at its best. Turning up the bias seems like the option or perhaps some heaters to bring the amp up to operating temperature. Otherwise I really enjoyed the read.

Siegfried's picture
Submitted by Siegfried on March 24, 2023 - 2:02pm

[Post removed due to offense content unrelated to hi-fi.]

georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on March 24, 2023 - 4:04pm

Nobody, if you can spend that on them, the electricity to run them is nothing to that person.

Cheers George

Scott From PT's picture
Submitted by Scott From PT on March 24, 2023 - 10:10pm

What would it be like to imagine that all humans deserve kindness and decency, even public figures, or those who love in ways that we don't totally understand?

Thank you to everyone here who posts in kindness, and my sincere compassion for those who can't enjoy a simple equipment view without viewing it through their own personal pain and fear.

Jim Austin's picture
Submitted by Jim Austin on March 25, 2023 - 5:02am

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on March 24, 2023 - 4:07pm

Good BJT (bi-polar) amps "can't beat them" (Gryphon, Agostino etc etc)
Looking at the measurements particularly output impedance of an ordinary .26ohm (30 damping factor), indicates to me it could use very little global or only local feedback.
And that it can almost keep doubling it's wattage down to 2ohms,("2.4kW into 1 ohm.")!!!! it's got bags of current, and to get these kinds of other measurements with such low global or just local feedback is quite an achievement.
Should be a stunner to listen to.

Cheers George

Amblygona's picture
Submitted by Amblygona on March 24, 2023 - 4:20pm

You'll need to moderate that post.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on March 24, 2023 - 10:52pm

The alert has been sounded. How do you spell "toast?"

jason

ok's picture
Submitted by ok on March 24, 2023 - 5:14pm

..craves for a follow-up.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on March 24, 2023 - 8:11pm

????

johnnythunder1's picture
Submitted by johnnythunder1 on March 26, 2023 - 3:14pm

at Stereophile. Besides your beautifully written and insightful reviews (and I always come away musically enlightened as well) I'm always impressed about how much work you have to put into the set up etc. and the A/B-ing with these mega components that always seem to be assigned to you. It's obviously a labor of love and we are supremely grateful for the mental- and physical - effort you put into these reviews.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture
Submitted by Jason Victor Serinus on March 26, 2023 - 7:54pm

Greatly appreciated.

jason

AnalogueFan's picture
Submitted by AnalogueFan on March 29, 2023 - 8:23am

This is very scary. This would be the first natural sounding amp, because the other amps altered the linearity of the frequency response in the 112Hz zone.
Those others are us, who can only hear our music, analog or digital, through altered amplifiers.
The only truth would be in Japan with the discovery of Esoteric.
What a revelation!

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