Experience Next-Level Streaming: Introducing the Grandioso N1T
The new era of high-quality streaming has arrived, and with it, a new benchmark for performance: the Grandioso N1T, the first high-end streaming transport in the prestigious Grandioso series. Designed to deliver streaming playback at its absolute finest.
Grandioso N1T combines cutting-edge Esoteric unique technology with Esoteric’s unrivaled craftsmanship, and a new-generation network engine featuring support for an SFP port and boasting powerful processing capabilities that ensure a level of sound quality worthy of the Grandioso name. The engine and audio circuitry are meticulously engineered for complete isolation, safeguarding signal purity. Independent linear power supplies for each circuit elevate the experience further, producing sound that is strikingly smooth, lifelike, and reminiscent of the feeling of vinyl playback.
Unmatched Flexibility Meets Sonic Perfection: With its advanced networking capabilities and all-digital output, the Grandioso N1T seamlessly integrates into a wide range of high-performance audio systems. You can build a complete Grandioso stack consisting of six units - Grandioso N1T, P1X SE, D1X SE and G1X - for the ultimate omni-digital source system. Pair it with the Grandioso D1X SE flagship monoblock DACs for the ultimate three-unit flagship-level streaming experience, connect it to the Grandioso K1X SE, or pair it with your favorite DAC.
Your Gateway to the World of Music: From the comfort of your listening chair, the Grandioso N1T gives you access to all the music in the world. Stream effortlessly and experience a dreamlike, luxurious music journey with breathtaking sound quality.
Key Features
- Pure Network Digital Audio Transport: Optimized for pristine digital playback without a D/A converter.
- Esoteric's Flagship 3-Chassis Streamer: Grandioso N1T Transport + D1X SE Mono DACs.
- SACD + Network Digital Source Combo: Seamlessly integrates with the Grandioso K1X SE for the ultimate digital playback experience.
- The 4th Gen "Esoteric Network Engine G4": DSD 22.5MHz native playback support, SFP port.
- Extremely Pure Audio Circuit: Completely isolated from the network engine.
- Independent Linear Power Supplies (Network/Audio/Control): Provides powerful clear sound.
- "Low Feedback DC Power Regulator": Contributes to live, open sound quality.
- ES-Link5: Esoteric's proprietary ultra-wideband HDMI cable link with Esoteric DAC models.
- Wide Range of Digital Connectivity: ES-Link5 ×1[L/R], USB ×1, XLR ×1, Coax ×1.
- Music Server Function: Two USB drives can be connected.
- "Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player": Ultra-high precision internal clock circuit.
- 10MHz Clock Sync Capability: With Grandioso G1X master clock.
- Wide Range of Supported File Formats: DSF, DSDIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MQA, MP3, AAC.
- Esoteric Sound Stream App: Provides extremely comfortable operation on smartphone/tablet.
- Support for Multiple Streaming Services: Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, Spotify.
- Multi-Layer Chassis: Prevents interference between circuit components.
- Semi-Floating Top Panel: Enhances sonic openness.
- Advanced Isolation Feet: Provides focused sound and an open soundstage.
Network section
Supported file formats: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF, MQA, DSF, DSDIFF (DFF), DoP, MP3, AAC (m4a container)/td>
ETHERNET port (1000BASE-T) × 1
SFP port (1000BASE-T) × 1
USB drive ports (USB 2.0 or higher recommended) (FAT32 or NTFS single partition, maximum current supply 0.5A)
USB TYPE-A × 1
USB TYPE-C × 1
Supported sampling frequencies
PCM 44.1k-768kHz, 16/24/32bit (32bit integer / 32bit float format)
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz
Digital outputs
ES-LINK × 1(L/R)
USB port (USB2.0) TYPE-A × 1 (maximum current supply: 0.5A)
XLR (110Ω) × 1 (PCM 44.1k〜192kHz 16/24bit、DSD 2.8MHz（DoP）)
RCA (75Ω) × 1 (PCM 44.1k〜192kHz 16/24bit、DSD 2.8MHz（DoP）)
Clock input
Connector BNC × 1
Input impedance 50Ω
Frequencies that can be input 10MHz (±10ppm)
Input level
Sine wave 0.5-1.0Vrms
Rectangle wave TTL levels
External control
Trigger input (TRIGGER IN) 3.5mm mono mini jack × 1
Input level: 12V, 1mA
General
Power supply AC220–240V,50/60Hz (Europe), AC120V,60Hz (USA/Canada), AC220V,60Hz (Korea)
Power consumption 37 W
Standby power EU 0.35W, US 0.3W
External dimensions (W×H×D, including protrusions 445 × 132 × 448mm / 17 ⅝” × 5 ¼” × 17 ¾”
Weight 23.1 kg / 50 ⅞ lb
Included accessories Power cord × 1 HDMI cable × 2 Owner’s manual × 1 Warranty card × 1
Compatible with a Wide Range of Audio Sources
The N1T is compatible with 22.5MHz DSD, 384kHz/32-bit PCM playback and a host of other formats (DSF, DSDIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC and MQA). The N1T can also play back the 32-bit float format popular in the professional audio industry. Gapless playback capability is also offered in all lossless formats.
ESOTERIC Sound Stream - Intuitive Control Meets Audio Quality
The Esoteric Sound Stream app, available for both Apple iOS and Android devices, is designed to combine exceptional sound quality with effortless usability. Tailored for smartphones and tablets, this innovative app allows users to easily browse, manage, and customize their music playback experience with just a few taps.
With its intuitive interface, creating and managing playlists becomes seamless. All screens are thoughtfully designed for straightforward navigation, ensuring that music libraries and playlists are easily accessible to users of any experience level. At the same time, the app offers a suite of advanced features to satisfy even the most seasoned audiophiles.
Powerful Search and Tag Features
A standout feature of the Esoteric Sound Stream app is its powerful search and retrieval system, which takes full advantage of tag information. Users can scroll through album artwork and libraries, organizing tracks by artist, recording year, composer, or other categories. This precise tagging functionality even differentiates between tracks with the same name in different formats, ensuring a streamlined and user-friendly experience.
Enhanced Visual Experience
The app supports the storage of album images, allowing users to enjoy a visually rich browsing experience. Instantly scroll through album artwork for a deeper connection to your library while enjoying detailed organization at your fingertips.
Compatible with a Wide Selection of Audio Codecs and Streaming Services
Esoteric has partnered with a wide array of streaming service and audio codec providers, and preparations are currently underway to provide compatibility with newer services.
*Information on newly supported services will be released on Esoteric’s website.
*Please note that regional restrictions may be applied on some services.
TIDAL
Begin your encounters with new music through TIDAL, a high-end music streaming service that has officially partnered with Esoteric. TIDAL’s lossless music distribution service operates on a fixed rate basis. Offering instant access to its enormous sound library, TIDAL enables users to enjoy their favorite music online with excellent sound quality.
Learn more here: TIDAL
qobuz
Founded in 2007 and a pioneer of high quality sound, Qobuz is the French music streaming and download platform for those who want to live and share their passion for music. Available in 26 countries (as of 2024) around the world, in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and Japan, Qobuz offers an exceptional range of exclusive editorial content written by a team of experts. With its catalog of more than 100 million tracks, Qobuz also has the richest choice of high-resolution (Hi-Res) titles.
Learn more here: Qobuz
roon ready
roon ready
Roon is the most engaging, enjoyable way to browse your music. Being Roon Ready means that Esoteric network players transparently discover and connect to Roon, with no network configuration, with bitperfect delivery of audio to your dac. Together, Roon and Esoteric deliver the power, flexibility, and performance benefits of networked audio, with the easiest setup and highest reliability available.
Learn more here: Roon labs
RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport) Dedicated Mode
The N1T is equipped with a dedicated RAAT mode that reduces the CPU processing load by disabling all network functions except those required for RAAT, thereby improving playback quality when using Roon.
Spotify
Spotify is an on-line music streaming service delivering over 40 million music. Two types of services are provided, a basic service called “Spotify Free” for free, and on-demand and high-quality sound subscription serive called “Spotify Premium” at flat rate.
Learn more here: Spotify
MQA is an award-winning technology that delivers master quality audio in a file that's small enough to stream or download. Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, MQA captures and authenticates the sound of the original studio performance.
Chassis Construction
To achieve the singular design goal of “reproducing the master sound” the N1T chassis optimally controls all vibrations that affect sound quality. The mechanical engineering of the chassis is comparable to that of a Formula 1 car, with the balance between rigidity and flexibility pushed to the limit. The sleek and clean shape of the chassis is a testament to its high level of perfection. The cabinet, which requires rigidity, extensively utilizes heavyweight aluminum blocks to ensure no resonance, while the top panel features a semi-floating structure for a more open sound.
Multi-Layer Chassis
The chassis, which secures each circuit component, is a multi-layer construction using multiple steel plates. Each circuit component is mounted on a separate layer and arranged in a three-dimensional layout to minimize physical and electrical interference. In the power supply section, the circuit board and power transformer are also placed on different layers to suppress the transmission of transformer vibrations to the circuit board. The bottom chassis, on which the transformer is mounted, is laser-cut with precision slits, and Esoteric’s unique pinpoint isolation feet effectively dissipate vibrations to the ground.
Unique Pinpoint Isolation Foot (Patent No. JP 4075477, 3778108, and 7413773)
Esoteric’s unique patented isolation foot, which integrates a spike and spike pad, has been further refined and developed. Suspended from the lower chassis, the top of the foot connects to the lower chassis under the weight of the unit when placed. The top of the foot has been tapered to a conical shape to minimize the contact area between the chassis and the foot. The bottom of the foot (integral spike pad) is also concave in a ring shape so that it touches the floor only at the edges, with added slots to disperse resonant modes. By minimizing the contact area between the chassis and the foot, as well as between the spike pad and the floor, vibration control has been optimized, resulting in sharper focus and a more open sound.
Grandioso Separate Digital Source System
A complete Grandioso stack consisting of six units – Grandioso N1T, P1X
SE, D1X SE and G1X – for the ultimate omni-digital source system.
Super Audio CD Transport Grandioso P1X SE (upper left, middle left)
Master Clock Generator Grandioso G1X (lower left)
Network Audio Transport Grandioso N1T (upper right)
Monoblock D/A Converter Grandioso D1X SE (middle right / lower right)
The photo is for illustration only. When actually using the product, please place each unit on each shelf on a rack.
Grandioso Flagship 3-Chassis Streamer
The Grandioso N1T, combined with two D1X SE mono DACs, is Esoteric's
ultimate 3-chassis streamer. The ES-Link5 connection using two HDMI
cables and the complete separation of the left and right D/A circuits
provide excellent resolution, channel separation and noise-free, pure
playback quality. The system has a total of seven independent power
supplies, and this system offers a three-dimensional, dynamic sound with
analog purity at the highest level.
ES-Link5 is a unique Esoteric digital interface that provides
ultra-wideband digital transmission. It uses two HDMI cables to transmit
the left and right channels separately, and supports wideband
transmission up to DSD 22.5MHz. Utilizing the multi-strand structure of
HDMI, it transmits each signal of "Audio Data", "LR Clock" and "Bit
Clock" in a fully balanced manner. Unlike normal digital transmission,
it does not require the signal modulation process on the sending side or
the demodulation process on the receiving side, and this innovative
approach significantly reduces the digital processing load on the DAC,
ensuring superior sound quality.
Network Audio Transport Grandioso N1T (upper)
Monoblock D/A Converter Grandioso D1X SE (middle / lower)
A Network Solution that Reveals the Full Potential of the Grandioso K1X SE
By connecting the N1T to the K1X SE, you can enjoy both Super Audio CD
and network sources, taking full advantage of the outstanding sound
quality of the K1X SE's built-in Master Sound Discrete DAC. The N1T's
USB output is a dedicated audio output terminal, and like the ES-Link5,
it is completely isolated from the network engine and powered by a
dedicated audio power supply.
The USB port supports digital audio playback up to DSD 22.5MHz and PCM
768kHz/32bit, making it compatible with a variety of high-end DACs
equipped with USB connectivity. Additionally, the N1T features two
additional digital outputs (XLR × 1, RCA × 1).
Network Audio Transport Grandioso N1T (left)
Monoblock D/A Converter Grandioso K1X SE (right)