Esoteric Grandioso K1X SE Player vs. WADAX Studio Player

[GSOphile]

These two players would seem to be natural competitors. Has anyone here compared them in the same system or even under somewhat different conditions? My interest is in basic DAC and CD/SACD player functions.

 

[Alrainbow]

I can see your ask but is just a cd sacd player unless im
Missing something? I like
Esoteric players I own an old model.
but the studio is a full function product
at this point in my life I want more then a cd player.
why it’s limited and can’t find even local stored music or tidal and the like confuses people
I mean it has dual dc psu inputs but no other features.
Maybe it’s my age but Msb had a great cd sacd player that was a streamer and could play local files by usb or network

 

[GSOphile]

There will be many who will buy the Studio for its full function, but I'm asking how it compares at its core - for those who have made the comparison.

 

[Backpacker]

They sound ……. different. Although I have not heard them in the same system.

if you like Wadax, you will like the studio.

The Esoteric sound is more front row-ish with amazing clarity. Not the old Esoteric sound, much more full and musical with the new DAC technology. Is it too amazing? That is a personal taste thing.

 

[KevinO]

I have compared both in my system. I own the Esoteric. I live in NZ, the prices here for pretty rare pieces of lit are very out of kilter with prices elsewhere in the world. The reason I mention it- the Wadax is almost twice the price as the Esoteric here. For me, as a basic CD/SACD the Esoteric is all I needed. Vinyl is my main listening source but I needed a good digital source. I think the depth of musical presentation , and particularly the bass , is just superb on the Wadax. I've had three Esoteric players in the past , each one a step up from the previous. The Grandioso players are magnificent. I also had the feeling that the Esoteric was better suited to the rest of my system ( full Shindo). By getting the Esoteric, I was also able to up grade speakers to a pair of Shindo( now unobtainable) which had I bought the Wadax I may not have been able to do. Bottom line- Wadax is fabulous, but I don't regret the Esoteric in the slightest. It does have a front row presentation which I don't mind in the slightest.

 

[GSOphile]

I upgraded an Esoteric K-03X to a K-01XD several years ago - used to play CDs/SACDs and as the DAC for my Aurender N20 streamer. As Backpacker noted, big jump in SQ from the old Esoteric sound (AKM chip-based) to the new in-house developed, discrete component-based DAC sound. Here in the US, the WADAX SP and the K1X SE pricing is comparable, hence my interest in comparing these two offerings.

 

[KevinO]

Other thing I forgot to mention, the Wadax has a superb streamer. I already have an Aurender which is prefectly adequate for my needs. All things being considered, and sounds like pricing in US is far more favorable, if I were starting from scratch, I’d go the Wadax route. But I’n very content with the Esoteric in my set up- does everything I need .

 

[GSOphile]

Thanks for your thoughts, Kevin. Praise for the WADAX SP has been consistent and very positive.

Regardless, I expect to retain my N20. I'm looking to add local storage and use the Aurender as a file player in addition to streaming, possibly eliminating the need to spin discs. In which case the forthcoming WADAX Studio DAC may be of interest.

Esoteric has a US service facility, but apparently WADAX does not (I've asked twice - no reply). A consideration for a heavy unit with a mechanical transport.

 

[mxk116]

I upgraded an Esoteric K-03X to a K-01XD several years ago - used to play CDs/SACDs and as the DAC for my Aurender N20 streamer. As Backpacker noted, big jump in SQ from the old Esoteric sound (AKM chip-based) to the new in-house developed, discrete component-based DAC sound. Here in the US, the WADAX SP and the K1X SE pricing is comparable, hence my interest in comparing these two offerings.

Previously used an Aurender N20 with an Esoteric K01XD (Shunyata Omega X USB into the K01XD). A wonderful pairing in my system. I heard the Grandioso K1X SE in the Playback Distribution room at FLAX 2025 this past April. Full Esoteric Grandioso digital front end (see photo) and for me it was one of the best sounding “real world” systems I heard at that show. Real world because it didn’t have the multi million dollar price tag of the Clarysis Atrium system that took best of show honors for me.

Never heard the K1X SE in my system but considered it in spite of its lack of streaming capability. Only in comparison to the WADAX Studio Player did my sonic memory cast it to be on the lean side and less continuous during the attack, release and decay of the music (particularly on complex passages whether they be live or multitrack studio recordings). If I had never heard the Studio Player in my own room with familiar recordings I would not have had this reference. The K1X SE is a significant upgrade from the K01XD I was using but in my system I preferred the Studio Player. Add the comprehensive feature set of the Studio Player and the SP was the clear choice for me.

 

[Sammy T]

I have compared both in my system. I own the Esoteric. I live in NZ, the prices here for pretty rare pieces of lit are very out of kilter with prices elsewhere in the world. The reason I mention it- the Wadax is almost twice the price as the Esoteric here. For me, as a basic CD/SACD the Esoteric is all I needed. Vinyl is my main listening source but I needed a good digital source. I think the depth of musical presentation , and particularly the bass , is just superb on the Wadax. I've had three Esoteric players in the past , each one a step up from the previous. The Grandioso players are magnificent. I also had the feeling that the Esoteric was better suited to the rest of my system ( full Shindo). By getting the Esoteric, I was also able to up grade speakers to a pair of Shindo( now unobtainable) which had I bought the Wadax I may not have been able to do. Bottom line- Wadax is fabulous, but I don't regret the Esoteric in the slightest. It does have a front row presentation which I don't mind in the slightest.

 

[Sammy T]

Shielding the power transformers with Mu metal will help get rid of that forward sound on your Esoteric Grandioso player. Dynamics will improve also.

 

[KevinO]

Shielding the power transformers with Mu metal will help get rid of that forward sound on your Esoteric Grandioso player. Dynamics will improve also.

Not heard of that. Thank you.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

These two players would seem to be natural competitors. Has anyone here compared them in the same system or even under somewhat different conditions? My interest is in basic DAC and CD/SACD player functions.

Yes - we've got them both here on permanent display and demonstration. The price in Europe for these two units are very similar at around +/-€50.000.

First and foremost, the WADAX Studio Player is part of a new series where you will very soon be able to upgrade the main unit with a separate PSU and Clock. Second, it also have streaming capabilities (with Roon, UPnP, Tidal- and Qobuz Connect support) + volume control. All together it's a very attractive and modular system which is somewhat "future proof".

The Esoteric Grandioso K1XSE is a pure CD/SACD player with DAC without streaming or volume control.

Both are certainly SOTA in terms of build quality and fit and finish.

In terms of sonics and characteristics, the WADAX Studio Player brings you closer to the organic qualities of the master tape experience than any other digital source that I've heard and experienced at this level. It makes you stop analyzing in a very intuitive way which is what I'm always looking for, i.e. being lost in the illusion and emotionally touched by the music. The Esoteric Grandioso K1XSE leans more towards the analytical side if that's what you're looking for being very transparent, selective and precise.

I hope that helps.

/ Marcus

 

[jfr]

Covering the transformer in the esoteric player is something I’d like to pursue. Where do you get the Mu material?
How do you get the Mu material to attach and to the transformer?
After you wrap the transformers, is there more heat generated and how does the player deal with the extra heat?
And would you have a picture of the insides of the unit, it’s so I have a better understanding of what to do?
Sorry for all the questions. I would like to say thank you for your efforts.
John

 

[gadawg58]

At this point you really need to hear both in your system. I arranged quite the dac demo at home last year (fortunate to have dealers that I told up front that was what i was doing that were all willing to loan me the equipment) and I ended up with the Esoteric Grandioso D1X SE mono dacs and seperate transport. I kept using my Aurender W20SE. The Studio wasn’t out yet so it wasn’t included but had I not done the demo’s in my system I would have likely made a choice that I wouldn’t have been as happy with.

Good Luck!

George

 

[Sammy T]

Covering the transformer in the esoteric player is something I’d like to pursue. Where do you get the Mu material?
How do you get the Mu material to attach and to the transformer?
After you wrap the transformers, is there more heat generated and how does the player deal with the extra heat?
And would you have a picture of the insides of the unit, it’s so I have a better understanding of what to do?
Sorry for all the questions. I would like to say thank you for your efforts.
John

 

[Sammy T]

It's no big deal, PM me.

Covering the transformer in the esoteric player is something I’d like to pursue. Where do you get the Mu material?
How do you get the Mu material to attach and to the transformer?
After you wrap the transformers, is there more heat generated and how does the player deal with the extra heat?
And would you have a picture of the insides of the unit, it’s so I have a better understanding of what to do?
Sorry for all the questions. I would like to say thank you for your efforts.
John