Esoteric Grandioso K1 "Disc Error"

Esoteric's distributor already collect my K1 and waiting for their inspection result. Mots likely I think need to replace a new lens or belt.

jafant
I never compare my X-03SE with my Grandioso K1 because I owned X-03SE long time ago ( 2010 to 2016).  And I owned K-03X from 2016 to 2019.  I can only tell you the difference is huge in my memory.

K-03X sounds much better than X-03SE. Compare to K-03X, X-03SE sounds more dry and hard.  And K-03X sounds more silky, more texture and more transparency. 

Grandioso K1 also sounds better than K-03X.  If I can use quantitative to compare these 3 players, here is my number:

Supposed 100 is the highest score

Grandioso K1 = 100
K-03X = 80
X-03SE = 70

I can see Esoteric really improve their sound quality in each product's generation.  But same as many Esoteric's user, one thing I don't like is they change new model very fast.  For example:  K-1Xs comes out in 2018, then they have a new model K-01XD comes out this year to replace K-01Xs, 

BTW, if you want to buy Grandioso K1, K1X, K-01XS, K-01XD......, I will suggest to choose DSD in Up conversation setting, then select "On" in   Digital filter setting during DSD playback. It sounds much better than the original input signal without upconversion in my opinion. 


Here is a detailed review about Grandioso K1:
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/778-esoteric-grandioso-k1-sacd-cd-player-da...

mmbl622
Thank You for the consultation and follow up to my query.
Happy Listening!

Esoteric local distributor collect my K1 in early Oct. One week later their service center told me my K1 work normal.  They use about 9 to 10 x CD to test my CDP but without any disc error problem (include SACD). And the tray can open without any problem.  They ask me to give them my own CD to test, then I gave them 5 x CD which has read disc problem. Another week gone, their service center told me my K1 also has no problem to play my own CD.   I feel so surprise about this. Because this is a 3 years old 2nd hand player, I bought this from the original owner about 10 months ago. Esoteric’s distributor told me normally this CDP lens can be used 9000 to 10000 hours if use it correctly. I don’t know how often the original user use it, but I don’t think it use for many thousand hours. Also I really don’t understand why the problem only happen in my home. Because I don’t want the problem happen again when it return to me, finally I ask the service center to replace the new lens and belts for me.  Because it is not in warranty period, I paid about USD 490 for this service (checking, replace new lens and belts, collect it from my home and deliver back to me…).

 

I receive my CDP on 27 Oct and I play about 15 x CD until now, so far I don’t have the same problem. And it seem like it sounds better than before. One of my friend said it is normal because of the new lens.  But I’m still confuse why my K1 has reading disc problem only in my home, but no problem in Esoteirc’ distributor’s service center.   Because more than 50% chance I will get disc error. My friend said maybe there are two reasons:

 

1) The lens is nearly out of work, that’s’ why sometime it work but sometime it out of work. (PS: But I wonder why it has no problem to play 20 x CD at Esoteirc’ distributor’s service center).

 

2) When a CDP (also per-amp) is failure, sometime the problem will be gone if plug out the power cable for a few hours or one day then connect with the player again. This is because some electricity problem on the circuit board.  If this is the case, then I really pay big money……………

 

Any input?

mmbl622

Good to read the update on your K1 player. Enjoy the music.

Happy Listening!