Description
The Grandioso T1, the first analog turntable to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Esoteric brand, marked a new milestone in the history of vinyl playback with the development of the revolutionary Esoteric MagneDrive System. The Grandioso E1 is the flagship phonostage preamplifier of the Grandioso series, designed as the second Grandioso model for vinyl playback after the T1. Together with the T1, the E1 offers an unprecedented listening experience through technological innovations worthy of the renaissance of vinyl playback.
Two Chassis Design
The Grandioso E1 features a two-chassis configuration, with the power supply and control sections separated from the main phonostage preamplifier chassis. By separating the power, control and display functions, which are potential sources of vibration and noise, from the main chassis, the audio signal can be amplified with extreme purity.
The E1 features a two-chassis configuration that separates the power supply and control section from the main phono stage preamplifier unit. By isolating the power, control, and display circuits—which are sources of vibration and noise—the audio signal can be amplified with exceptional purity. Four Independent Power Supplies
The power/control unit is separated from the main unit to form an extremely large 4-system independent power supply and is connected to the main unit via three dedicated DC cables. The power supply for the MC/MM phono stage uses a complete dual-mono configuration with independent power transformers and rectifiers on the left and right sides. The phono stage for optical cartridges and the control circuits also have their own dedicated power supply sections. These four independent power supply systems prevent mutual interference between circuits, enhancing the E1’s pure and powerful reproduction capabilities.
The logic-based control unit, which manages operation and display, is integrated into the power supply and physically isolated from the main unit. Additionally, all control signals connecting the power/control unit to the main unit are electrically isolated from the audio circuitry by a large isolator circuit, ensuring pure sound reproduction.
By integrating and centralizing the logic control in the power supply, almost all functions, such as the equalizer curve and various settings, can be controlled from the listening position using the supplied remote control. In addition, the number of buttons on the front panel has been reduced to a minimum, further enhancing the Grandioso’s elegant appearance. The result of advanced metal fabrication, the high-quality aluminum remote control is smartphone-sized and comfortable to hold, with a functional design that includes buttons on both sides for every operating scenario.
To achieve the singular design goal of “reproducing the master sound” the E1 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.
Balanced Current Input (XLR × 3)
The E1 is equipped with three proprietary balanced current inputs (XLR) that receive the ”current” generated by the coil of the MC cartridge. Compared to the conventional voltage input system, where the current generated by the cartridge coil is converted to a voltage signal by the load resistor, signal loss is minimized and there is no need to worry about matching the load impedance to the cartridge. The balanced current input system allows the E1 to reproduce the true sound of the cartridge with the unparalleled authority of musical performance.
Optical Input (RCA × 1)
The E1 is equipped with a pair of RCA inputs dedicated to optical cartridges. All circuits, including the phonostage and power supply, are designed to be completely independent and dedicated exclusively to optical cartridges, allowing users to fully enjoy the crisp and open sound that only optical cartridges can deliver.
Voltage Input (RCA × 1)
The E1 is equipped with a pair of RCA connectors for conventional voltage signal input. Depending on the cartridge used, the load impedance can be selected from a variety of options for MC cartridges or load capacitance for MM cartridges. The input signal is immediately fed to a fully balanced phono stage and amplified for uncompromised sound quality.
Variable EQ Curve
The E1 has a sophisticated variable EQ function that can be controlled from the front panel or via a remote control. A wide range of EQ curve presets are pre-installed, including the popular RIAA, Columbia, Decca, NAB, Teldec and AES curves. You can also customize individual EQ parameters and preset up to four custom EQ curves. You can get the best sound quality from virtually any vinyl record in your collection.
High Quality Buffer Amplifier
The output buffer amplifier of the E1 follows in the footsteps of the Grandioso C1X, and a lot of material has been invested. The Esoteric-HCLD (High Current Line Driver), which has an amazingly fast slew rate of 2,000V/μs, is mounted in parallel configuration to each signal line.
The output level can be finely adjusted for each pickup cartridge.
Separated Power Supply
The separate power supply section has four independent internal power supply circuits (right channel, left channel, optical phonostage, and control circuit), and three dedicated DC cables (right channel, left channel, and optical phonostage) are used to connect to the main phonostage unit. With four independent power supply circuits, mutual interference between circuits is prevented, supporting the E1’s pure and powerful playback capability.
* Esoteric reserves the right to change the specifications of the actual produced model.
Spec description
| Inputs | |
| Connectors | |
| XLR | 3 pairs (for MC current input) |
| RCA | 1 pair (for MC/MM voltage input) |
| OPTICAL (RCA) | 1 pair (for optical cartridges) |
| RCA load resistance | |
| MC | 10 Ω, 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 200 Ω, 560 Ω |
| MM | 47 kΩ |
| RCA load capacitance | |
| MM | 100 pF, 220 pF, 320 pF |
| Outputs | |
| Connectors | |
| XLR/ESL-Analog (switchable) | 1 pair |
| RCA | 1 pair |
| Output impedance | |
| XLR | 50 Ω |
| RCA | 18 Ω |
| Audio performance | |
| RIAA deviation | ±0.3 dB |
| Rated output | |
| XLR | 2 V |
| RCA | 1 V |
| Maximum output (1% distortion) | |
| XLR | 6.6 V (XLR, RCA input) / 12 V (OPTICAL input) |
| RCA | 3.3 V (XLR, RCA input) / 6 V (OPTICAL input) |
| Input sensitivity (1kHz)* | |
| MC (current input) | 1.2 mV |
| MC (voltage input) | 0.5 mV |
| MM (voltage input) | 10 mV |
| OPTICAL | 50 mV |
| Gain* | |
| MC (current input) | 65 dB (XLR output) / 59 dB (RCA output) |
| MC (voltage input) | 72 dB (XLR output) / 66 dB (RCA output) |
| MM (voltage input) | 46 dB (XLR output) / 40 dB (RCA output) |
| OPTICAL | 32 dB (XLR output) / 26 dB (RCA output) |
| Current gain adjustment range | –9 to 0 dB (in 3 dB steps) |
| Voltage gain adjustment range | –6 to +4dB (in 2dB steps) |
| Equalizer frequencies | |
| LOW LIMIT (Hz) | 50, 71, 100 |
| TURNOVER (Hz) | 800, 630, 500 (RIAA), 400, 350, 300, 250, FLAT |
| ROLL OFF (10kHz dB) | − 16, − 13.7 (RIAA), − 12.7, − 12, − 10.5, − 8, − 6, FLAT |
| Total harmonic distortion | |
| MM | 0.008％ (1kHz, 22k LPF, rated output) |
| OPTICAL | 0.02％ (1kHz, 22k LPF, rated output) |
| Subsonic filter | 16 Hz, −6dB/octave |
| General | |
| Power supply | |
| Model for Europe | AC 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Model for US/Canada | AC 120 V, 60 Hz |
| Power consumption | 48 W |
| Power consumption (In standby) | |
| Remote control input (RS-232C) OFF | 0.3 W |
| Remote control input (RS-232C) ON | 0.7 W |
| External dimensions (W×H×D, including protrusions) | |
| Main unit | 445 × 131 × 445 mm / 17 ⅝” × 5 ¼” × 17 ⅝” |
| Power supply/control unit | 445 × 131 × 451 mm / 17 ⅝” × 5 ¼” × 17 ⅞” |
| Weight | |
| Main unit | 20.7 kg /45 ¾ lb |
| Power supply/control unit | 23.4 kg / 51 ⅝ lb |
| Included accessories | AC power cord × 1 DC power cord (male)× 2 DC power cord (female)× 1 Remote control (RC-1343)× 1 Batteries for remote control × 2 Owner’s manual × 1 Warranty card × 1 |
* [MC current input] measured with 0dB C.gain, 0dB Gain, and cartridge with 40Ω impedance
[MM/MC voltage input] measured with 0dB Gain setting
[OPTICAL] measured with HI Gain setting
*Design and specification subject to change without notice.
