Esoteric Grandioso P1X SE Reference SACD/CD Digital Transport

Esoteric Grandioso P1X SE Redefines Digital Transport Precision

Esoteric Grandioso P1X SE Reference SACD/CD Digital Transport is a no-compromise, flagship optical disc transport engineered for the most discerning high-end audio connoisseurs. This next-generation transport is the latest evolution in Esoteric’s storied Grandioso series, and it sets a new global benchmark in the precise playback of SACD and CD formats. Designed to be paired with the matching Grandioso D1X SE monaural DACs, the P1X SE delivers an ultra-purist signal path, anchored by world-first engineering innovations and a separate power supply unit that guarantees absolute noise isolation.

VRDS-ATLAS Mechanism Delivers Unmatched Disc Stability

VRDS-ATLAS is the core innovation inside the Esoteric P1X SE, establishing a new gold standard in disc rotation accuracy. The "Vibration-Free Rigid Disc-Clamping System – ATLAS" is the most robust and precisely balanced transport mechanism Esoteric has ever developed. The system eliminates micro-vibrations and rotational eccentricities by clamping the disc tightly to a perfectly machined turntable constructed from high-mass aluminium and steel. Its ultra-low centre of gravity ensures superb rotational inertia, enabling the Grandioso P1X SE to extract digital data from SACDs and CDs with near-zero read error and unmatched time-domain precision.

This results in digital signal integrity at a level previously unattainable in any optical disc transport. VRDS-ATLAS provides a true mechanical foundation for reference-grade playback, particularly when partnered with high-resolution DACs like the Grandioso D1X SE.

ES-LINK 5 Enables Ultra-Wide Digital Transmission Bandwidth

ES-LINK 5 is the latest high-speed transmission protocol developed exclusively by Esoteric. Integrated into the P1X SE’s digital output stage, this proprietary link delivers digital data and clocking information across a wide bandwidth, minimising jitter and achieving synchronous transmission between the transport and DAC. With support for 22.5MHz DSD and 768kHz/32-bit PCM signals, ES-LINK 5 maintains full data fidelity during transmission, far exceeding the capabilities of conventional S/PDIF or AES/EBU interfaces.

The Grandioso P1X SE also supports conventional output formats such as coaxial and XLR digital, but ES-LINK 5 unlocks the highest performance when paired with Esoteric’s D1X SE DACs.

Dual Chassis Architecture Enhances Signal Purity

Dual chassis construction separates the digital transport from the power supply, drastically reducing electrical interference and mechanical resonance. The main unit houses the VRDS-ATLAS transport and digital interface circuitry, while the external power supply unit contains four independent toroidal transformers that power individual system blocks—one each for the transport drive, digital output, system control, and clock circuits.

This complete separation of signal and power architecture eliminates cross-talk and noise contamination between the digital and power stages, preserving pristine signal integrity and microdynamic detail during playback.

In-House Master Sound Discrete Clock Ensures Temporal Accuracy

Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player, a new innovation unique to the SE edition, is an in-house designed, discrete component clock module engineered specifically for the Grandioso P1X SE. This ultra-precise master clock module offers superior phase noise characteristics compared to traditional crystal oscillators and provides a tightly locked timing reference for digital signal processing.

With the addition of a clock sync function, the P1X SE can also be locked to an external master clock, such as the Esoteric G1X, for system-wide clock synchronisation—minimising jitter and temporal distortion throughout the playback chain.

Refined Mechanical Engineering Elevates Acoustic Isolation

Esoteric Grandioso P1X SE introduces new structural refinements for enhanced vibration control and mechanical stability. The semi-floating top panel design minimises chassis-borne resonance while preserving structural rigidity. Newly redesigned pinpoint feet, introduced in this SE model, further isolate the unit from micro-vibrations originating from shelves, racks or floors.

These advanced mechanical upgrades contribute to an audible increase in clarity, dynamic contrast, and transient precision, supporting the transport’s ability to deliver a pristine digital output free from vibrational interference.