Ultra-high-end series from high-end brand Esoteric, the Grandioso series was launched in 2013 with a focus on separate components to minimize distortion. Its current catalog consists of the S1X stereo or M1X mono power amplifiers, the C1X preamplifier with PS1 external power supply, a G1X clock, and a D1X SE monoblock DAC, to which the P1X SE SACD transport or N1T network transport can be added.
However, to simplify the range a little and limit the number of boxes, the Japanese brand has been offering an SACD player with a built-in converter for several years, recently updated to the K1X SE version. In the same vein, it is now adding an N1 network player, featuring the brand new Master Sound Discrete DAC G2 converter.
An evolution of the Master Sound Discrete DAC launched in 2019, the G2 version uses a new FPGA chip based on multi-level Delta-Sigma digital-to-analog conversion, with modulation capable of reaching 64-bit/512-Fs. With a completely proprietary design, this new dual-mono DAC processes DSD up to 22.5 MHz (DSD512) with algorithms that are completely independent of those designed to support PCM files (up to 768 kHz/32-bit).
Integrated via an RJ45 port, USB-A & USB-C ports, and fiber via an SFP port, the network module is obviously based on the recently introduced N1T, which is based on the Esoteric Network Engine G4 module. Fully dual mono, from large toroidal transformers to the DACs, the N1 has five power supplies, dedicated to each circuit in the device (one per mono DAC, one for the network, one for the FPGA, and one for the digital signal). In order to transfer DSD to other devices from the brand, it also adds a proprietary ES-Link5 pair, in addition to the classic optical, USB audio, AES/EBU, and coaxial digital inputs.
Connectable to an external clock via a 10 MHz BNC port, the N1 already has an optimized internal clock circuit, thanks to the Master Sound Discrete Clock version designed for digital devices. It naturally features a multi-layer chassis and hand-picked discrete components, as well as the insulating feet originally developed for SACD players. Finally, in addition to the usual gray, this new player is available in a new N1 Gold version, currently reserved for Japan (and therefore for 100V voltages).
To find out more, check out our Tokyo Show videos on our Instagram and Facebook accounts starting this Friday!
17/10/2025
