Esoteric Grandioso C1X Preamplifer

For the control center of Esoteric’s flagship Grandioso X edition, our engineers looked ahead to what lies beyond what a preamplifier should be.
To surpass the Grandioso C1, winner of countless awards following its 2014 introduction, we set out to thoroughly reimagine the volume control system – often considered to be the fundamental core of a preamplifier – thereby dramatically improving its precision and clarity of sound to become the standard for a new era.
Esoteric’s accumulated engineering knowledge and expertise focused on creating a new preamplifier that meets the desires of the consummate audiophile.
– The new Grandioso C1X

Spec description

Analog audio inputs:

XLR/ESL-A- 3 pairs

Input impedance- 50k

Input sensitivity- 500mV (at rated output)

Maximum input level- 12V

RCA- 2 pairs

Input impedance- 68k

Input sensitivity- 500mV (at rate output)

Maximum input level- 12V

Analog audio outputs:

XLR- 2 pairs

Output impedance- 30

Rate output- 2V

Maximum output level- 17V

ESL-A- 2 pairs *Option: Charging the ESL-A terminals with RCA terminals

Output impedance- 30

External Control: 

RS-232C

Terminal- D-sub 9-pin x1

TRIGGER IN

Terminal- 3.5mm Monaural Mini jack x1

Input Level- 12V, 2mA

TRIGGER OUT

Terminal- 3.5mm Monaural Mini jack x2

Output Level- 12V, 100mA (total)

General:

Power supply- AC 120V, 60Hz

AC 220-240V, 50/60Hz

Power consumption- 15W (L), 15W (R)

External dimensions (WxHxD)

Main unit- 445 x 132 x 449mm 

17 5/8" x 5 1/4" x 17 5/8" (including protrusions)

Power unit- 445 x 132 x 452mm 

17 5/8" x 5 1/4" x 17 7/8" (including protrusions)

Weight

Main unit- 20.2kg/44.6 lb

Power unit- 29.0kg/64 lb

Included accessories- Power cords x2

DC power connection cords x2

Remote control (RC-1334) x1

AA batteries x2

Felt pads x8

Owner's manual x1

Warranty card x1

Audio performance

Frequency response- 1Hz to 150kHz (-3dB, XLR IN, XLR OUT)

S/N ratio- 120dB (2V input, A weight, XLR IN, XLR OUT)

Total harmonic distortion- 0.00035% (XLR IN, XLR OUT)

Gain- +12dB (XLR IN, XLR OUT)