Solid State Power Amp Reviews

Esoteric Grandioso M1X monoblock power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Class-AB mono power amplifier. Analog inputs: Balanced (XLR), single-ended (RCA), and Esoteric ESL-A (for connecting other Esoteric components). Outputs: 1 pair binding posts. Input impedance: 100k ohms for XLR, 10k ohms for RCA. Rated output power: 300W into 8 ohms (24.8dBW), 600W into 4 ohms (24.8dBW). Power consumption: 400W, 55W when no signal. Frequency response: 5Hz–100kHz, +0dB/–3dB into 8 ohms. S/N ratio: 119dB (IHF-A, XLR). THD: 0.006% (1kHz, 8 ohms, 300W). Compatible speaker impedance: 4 ohms to 16 ohms (see explanation in review text). Gain: 28.5dB.
Dimensions: 8 ¾" (221.5mm) H × 21 1/8" (536mm) W × 19 3/8" (491mm) D. Weight: 136.75lb (62kg).
Finish: Silver (brushed aluminum).
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 20014, 20015.
Price: $71,000/pair. Approximate number of dealers: 35 (14 carry the Grandioso line; five carry the M1X). Warranty: three years parts and labor.
Manufacturer: Esoteric Company, 1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530, Japan. Tel: (042) 356-9100. Web: www.esoteric.jp/en. US distributor: Eleven Trading Company, 3502 Woodview Trace #200, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Web: 11tradingcompany

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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