My old player is a Marantz SA7S1 before bought Esoteric.
Why I say that ?
The evolution is :
- Technics SL PS70
- Philips CD 723
- Arcam CD 23T
- Marantz SA7S1
- Esoteric K-03XS
Part one :
- Marantz SA7S1, after Marantz SA7S1 and clock Grimm CC1, and after Marantz SA7S1 and clock Grimm CC1 and ML N°360S
I have listen SA7S1 without Grimm CC1 and without DAC 360S.
The sound is very poor.
I listen it immediately.
I listen 3 songs on 3 different CD.
I add the Grimm CC1, always without my DAC 360S.
With Grimm CC1, music are in 3 dimensions. The voices are beautiful and are more articulated.
Timing was tighter, imaging more focused, and definition improved.
With SACD, there are more dynamics and punch, more bass and voices are more better than SA7S1 only...
Grimm CC1
FOR :
- improved sound of your CD Player and SACD
- price...less expensive than ESOTERIC or DCS clock.
AGAINST :
- doesn't accept SACD if you use external DAC. Because the digital output of SA7S1 works only for CD.
NOTE :
- with the DAC 360S, differencies are very few.
I have compare Accuphase DP 550 and SA7S1 with DAC 360S (without GRIMM CC1, I haven't bought it before this head to head)...and it's very difficult to decide which it is better...Accuphase is more analogic, SA7S1 with DAC 360S is more transparent and detailed.
In addition too with DAC 360S, Grimm CC1, Marantz SA7S1, the 3 dimensions in music is beautiful...
I have two pair XLR of Furutech Lineflux : one for listening SACD with SA7S1 and one for the DAC N°360S....so I can easily compare the two with and without Grimm CC1.
CD test are :
Ed Sheeran : X
Mariah Carey : The ones (SACD)
Marvin Gaye : Let's going on (MOFI)
Groover Washington : Winelight
George Benson : Give me the night
Part two :
- Esoteric K-03XS
( very funny because I said before :
Grimm CC1
FOR :
- improved sound of your CD Player and SACD
- price...less expensive than ESOTERIC or DCS clock.)
Please, don't laugh !
Test with K-03XS and Grimm CC1
CD GROVER WASHINGTON JR - Album: WineLight
Title: WineLight
The saxophone plays naturally without a bad pun (?) - ( sorry for my english).
It is present in the room: the sound is really in 3D.
We hear all the details.
As I have 3 versions of this album without counting the vinyls ... I decide to play the same CD except that it is in pressing 'Made in Japan'.
Title: WineLight - Made in Japan
There is a clear improvement.
The saxophone, always on the same title, is more punchy, more singing.
It goes much further in terms of definition.
There is more momentum.
Title: WineLight - Hybrid SACD in SACD mode (not CD mode)
The sound seems softer.
The saxophone seems to me less impactful than on the Japanese pressing.
The dynamics seem to me to pack.
I definitely prefer the CD version of the Japanese pressing.
In short, on the same album, 3 identical interpretations with notable differences.
The sensitivity of the support plays a huge role.
COLOSSUS SAXOPHONE CD
Sonny Rollins Quartet
Japanese pressing (Ultimate HQ)
The saxophone has never seemed so real to me.
The battery roll is clean.
The sound is detailed, precise, but also warm.
Music is very present.
CD TRACY CHAPMAN
The song SING FOR YOU is extremely searched, clear and warm.
We clearly understand the words without trying to say to each other: ‘she says what?’.
CD DIRE STRAIT - Album 'Brother in arms' - Japanese pressing
The introduction of Money for nothing is really explosive. The rest goes hand in hand ... but this album deserves better ...
SACD DIRE STRAIT - Album 'Brother in arms' - 20th anniversary
There, this SACD is above the CD in Japanese pressing, nothing to do .... Unlike the Grover Washington Junior ...
Everything is better defined.
CD Monthy Alexander Trio - Live at Montreux
The group plays masterfully well, but with this player, we are really at the heart of the concert.
The piano has never been so well defined, alive. The notes are supported and we can hear it well.
The double bass is very distinct ...
Finaly, I'm very happy with this player and with this little clock ( 2500 euros in France)
Grimm CC1
FOR :
- improved sound of your CD Player and SACD
- better with Esoteric K-03XS than Marantz SA7S1
AGAINST :
- for the price, it doesn't make the coffee in the morning !!!
What else ?
NOTE :
- with the DAC 360S, differencies are more evident with the Esoteric K-03XS.
I prefer listen Esoteric K-03XS with Grimm CC1 and ML 360S with 75% of my CD.
Hope this is help someone.