Esoteric Grandioso C1X Stereo Preamplifier

Instead of conventional mechanical relays, the Grandioso C1X features a switching system that incorporates FET elements to steadily deliver 3A of rated current output and a full 12A of instantaneous current output at musical peaks. To achieve the purity of sound required by Esoteric’s premier flagship preamplifier, current losses have been reduced to the lowest levels possible, and the effect of rare metals on contacts, including operating noise and the deterioration of sound quality over time – often associated with mechanical relays – have been totally eliminated.

Esoteric takes special pride in its fully balanced dual circuit HOT and COLD configuration. Through the elimination of common mode noise and greatly reduced signal impedance, a pure signal, not easily affected by noise, is directed to the attenuator section along the shortest path possible.
Additionally, the input board uses a bus bar with a copper plate located at the intersection of the signal paths. It physically straddles the signal path and suppresses musical signal crosstalk across the board.
Unbalanced input signals are also balanced immediately after input, and transmitted to the attenuator circuit via the HCLD buffer amplifier for a fully balanced configuration.

Esoteric’s ES-Link Analog is a unique current transmission method that makes possible ideal analog connections by increasing current transmission to approximately 50 to 100 times that of conventional line-connected voltage transmission amplifiers. Support for Esoteric’s proprietary ES-LINK Analog current transmission input ensures minimized transmission noise and cable loss for an ideal analog connection.
A pure Grandioso X edition system can be assembled with the further addition of other components equipped with ES-Link Analog outputs, such as the Grandioso K1X SACD Player and the Grandioso D1X DA Converter. Of course, all inputs can be switched individually, and conventional voltage transmission components can also be connected.

The logic control unit, which controls all operations as well as the display, is located behind the front panel, where it is electronically shielded in complete isolation from the amplifier modules.
It is connected to the preamplifier section by way of a photocoupler that converts the control signal into light transmission that ensures complete physical and electronic isolation.
Furthermore, by completely shutting down the control circuit except during moments of actual operation, the Grandioso C1X is able to realize ultra-low-noise operation with no effect on audio signal circuits.

The Grandioso C1X’s Monoblock configuration ensures that left and right audio channels maintain total independence by design. These totally separate audio channels extend from the preamplifier inputs through the amplification section, and even to its separate DC power supply unit with its dual AC power cables. In fact, the C1X’s Monoblock structure effectively integrates two separate monaural preamplifiers into a single set of components that can suitably be referred to an Esoteric’s flagship.