Esoteric launches Grandioso K1XE SACD player with G2 DAC

Esoteric has launched the Grandioso K1XE in Tama, Tokyo, on 21 October 2026. The flagship SACD player/DAC incorporates the company's in-house Master Sound Discrete DAC G2, an FPGA-based multi-level delta-sigma converter. Worldwide shipments are scheduled to begin at the start of November 2026.

The converter has a fully dual-mono configuration and supports DSD signals up to 22.5 MHz and PCM up to 768 kHz. It uses a proprietary 64-bit/512-Fs delta-sigma modulator, with separately developed FPGA processing algorithms for DSD and PCM. A redesigned low-noise resistor network accompanies separate power supply lines for the FPGA, other digital circuitry and the hot and cold analogue circuitry. The Esoteric-HCLD dual-buffer output stage uses four circuits per channel, with an architecture derived from the Grandioso D1X SE.

Disc playback uses Esoteric's in-house VRDS-ATLAS transport, built with SS400 steel side panels and bridge, plus a duralumin turntable. Five independent linear power supplies serve the left and right DACs, transport, digital circuitry and microcomputer circuitry. The player has a multi-layer chassis and semi-floating top panel, and weighs 34.3 kg.

Digital inputs comprise ES-Link 5 L/R, XLR, optical and USB Type-B, with ES-Link 5 providing a connection to the Grandioso N1T streaming transport. Analogue outputs comprise one stereo pair each of XLR/ES-Link Analog and RCA connections, alongside a separate XLR digital output. A BNC input accepts a 10 MHz external clock signal, and the player is compatible with the Grandioso G1X master clock generator. Internal timing uses Esoteric's Master Sound Discrete Clock circuit.

Esoteric also launched the optional Grandioso PS1XE external power supply for use with the player. Its four transformers independently power the left and right D/A converter stages and left and right output buffer stages, disabling the corresponding internal power transformers in the connected unit. The power supply includes filter circuits optimised for models equipped with the G2 converter.