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• Plays MP3s from a CD-R or USB flash drive (Compatibility Info)
• Analog volume control for direct hookup to a power amp
• Composite video output (NTSC only) to view MP3 files
• Optical and Coaxial digital outputs
• Simultaneous fixed and variable level analog outputs
• Rear panel 3.5mm stereo input for portable MP3 player or smartphone
• Three turn on options (manual, 12V trigger, AC)
• 12 Volt trigger output for turning on a power amp
• Remote control included
• Rear panel IR input and RS232 serial port
• Unique half-rack width chassis; 1 rack space high

Download Brochure

Download Brochure

Download Brochure

A scan through the spec-sheet brings more encouragement. As well as the huge toroidal power supply and expensively sourced DACs that any player at this price is expected to pack, the SA-11S3 adds a vibration-resistant drive mechanism and double-layered bottom plate. And as well as playing CDs, the Marantz plays SACDs (they’re a specialist interest less common than those of Max Mosley by now, of course, but the partial will be excited).

The provision for manually altering the digital filtering is less inspiring: just why is it that £2500 doesn’t buy a player that sounds its best at all times? – but overall the Marantz looks thoroughly equipped. And when playing CDs – we listened to everything from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet to Public Enemy’s She Watch Channel Zero – the SA-11S3 throws down a performance simultaneously rugged and refined. Low frequencies, thought not the most rigorously defined, are solidly punchy while at the other end of the scale, treble reproduction is crisp and clear.

These features include “VOSP” Super Audio CD transport mechanism, a 32-bit dual mono D/A converter combining multiple DAC circuits, high sampling rate digital inputs and USB input supporting asynchronous transmission at 24 bits/192 kHz as well as a cutting edge high-precision clock circuit

The design concept of the K series is extremely clear and simple — a 2-channel D/A converter and stereo player that gives a stress-free musical experience, without adding or removing anything from the original source material. All aspects of the design and engineering process for the K series had extremely tough requirements to further advance ESOTERIC’s top technology. Design and engineering was completed applying all of ESOTERIC’s know-how in mechatronics technology, state-of-the-art audio technology, and evolutionary materials including DAC implementation, for which cost was not a consideration. The K series is committed to advancing the “state of the art” for the 2 channel audio purist, for both high resolution audio files and disc based audio playback applications.

The K-03 is equipped with our new VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-10″ mechanism, which has further advanced substantially beyond existing VRDS models, and a dual mono configuration of 32-bit monaural D/A converters with four parallel/differential DAC circuits per channel. The analog audio circuit has a separate power transformer. The on-board high-precision clocking circuit has also been advanced. Three sets of 192 kHz/24-bit digital inputs supporting the most advanced high-sampling digital sources are also built-in. USB driver software supports 192 kHz/24-bit asynchronous transmission for connecting with a PC. The K-03 is a high performance model that follows the philosophy of the top-end all-in-one K-01 digital source, 2-channel playback device.

Virtually every component of the new P-02X, save its drive mechanism drive circuit and VS-DD spindle servo, has been thoroughly revised and upgraded from its P-02 base model with the goal of squeezing the Grandioso P1′s dual-chassis configuration into a single unit without compromise. Its highly regarded VRDS-NEO transport mechanism employs the same bearing design as the P1, and integrates condensed versions of the P1′s digital and clock circuitry. P1 technology also features in the P-02X’s exceptional power supply circuitry, which is equipped with a total of four toroidal transformers providing power to the VS-DD, transport drive circuit, digital output circuitry and clock circuit. Like the P1, these circuits ensure a cleaner and more stable supply of DC power. On the operating side, the introduction of ES-LINK4 provides a wider band of digital transmission, while its advanced clock circuit achieves higher accuracy for higher sound quality.

LEADING TECHNOLOGY

In the Footsteps of Esoteric’s Most Advanced Grandioso Technology

ES-LINK4

Both the P-02X and D-02X have been newly equipped with Esoteric’s state-of-the-art ES-LINK4, which provides high-accuracy digital transmission of both DSD and ultra-wideband 352.8kHz/48-bit PCM by way of its HDMI cable connections. A core feature of the Grandioso P1/D1 digital source system, and developed in line with Esoteric’s ‘Pure D/A’ concept, ES-LINK4 performs the major portion of digital signal processing on the transmission side to significantly reduce the processing load on the D/A converter in pursuit of the ultimate in sound quality.

The Expressive Power of 36-Bit D/A Processing

Like the Grandioso D1, the D-02X utilizes a 36-bit D/A processing algorithm to convert the PCM signal to analog. This 36-bit encoding provides an astounding level of digital resolution that is fully 4,096 times that of 24-bit encoding, and double that of the 35-bit model on which it is based. Taking advantage of the delicate tone realized by this high-bit data minimizes calculation errors for outstanding expression of even the most subtle musical signals.

New Dimensions in Isolated Clock Technology

Widely considered to be the core of any high-end digital player, the clock circuit provides a high-accuracy reference signal for digital circuitry. The clock circuits featured in the P-02X and D-02X are completely isolated from all other circuits, including power source and ground, enabling a pure clock signal to be supplied to the system. The clock’s voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) was specially developed for Esoteric’s Grandioso line in a joint effort with Nihon Dempa Kogyo (NDK), one of the world’s premier manufacturers of crystal oscillators, for a high-precision custom clock worthy of the world’s finest audio equipment. Its extremely low levels of phase noise combine with a large-scale crystal element to ensure exceptional sound reproduction quality.

High-Accuracy Clock Synchronization

A BNC cable connects the D-02X to the P-02X to provide a master clock sync signal for synchronized playback with minimized jitter. Esoteric’s proprietary Direct Master Clock LINK* synchronizes the two units while eliminating the need for Phase-Locked Loop (PLL), enabling clear and accurate stereo imaging and crisp sound quality. The system can be further upgraded with the addition of an optional high-accuracy G-01 Rubidium Master Clock Generator, and supports a wide range of frequencies including master clocks (22MHz/10MHz) and word clocks (44.1kHz/88.2kHz/176.4kHz).

*DMCL (Direct Master Clock LINK) DMCL links the D-02X to the P-02X with a 22.5792MHz reference clock signal that causes the two units to function as a single integrated device. Compared to normal ‘sync’ systems, which generally require PLL (Phase Lock Loop) processing of the transmitted clock signal, DMCL provides simpler and more direct clocking between multiple devices.

The K-01 is equipped with our new VRDS-NEO “VMK-3.5-20S” mechanism, which has advanced substantially beyond existing VRDS models. The K-01 follows the philosophy of the D-01, and has two 32-bit monaural D/A converters with eight parallel/differential DAC circuits used per channel, as well as separate L/R power supplies. The on-board, high-precision clocking circuit has also been advanced. The power supply for each circuit block has been optimized by using four on-board power transformers. Three sets of 192 kHz/24-bit digital inputs, supporting the most advanced high-sampling-rate digital sources are also built-in. USB driver software supports 192 kHz/24-bit asynchronous transmission for connecting with a PC. The K-01 responds to the stringent demands of music lovers and audio purists, for a top-of-the-line digital source, 2-channel playback device.

P1 Grandioso SACD/CD Transport

ESOTERIC has developed an original, state-of-the -art transmission format called ES-LINK4, which allows DSD and 352.8kHz/48bit PCM ultrawideband digital transmission using an HDMI cable. ES-LINK4 performs a large part of the digital signal processing on the sending side, greatly reducing the digital signal processing load on the D/A converter. In addition to ultra-wide bandwidth, we sought high sound quality through our “Pure D/A” concept, in which the D/A converter specializes in its original function of D/A conversion processing.

The D1 applies a 36-bit D/A processing algorithm that converts PCM signals to analog signals at a high resolution of 36 bits by combining several 32-bit DAC devices. The tone of the high-bit data is used for faithful analog conversion. The resolution of 32-bit encoding is 256 times higher than that of 24-bit encoding, and 36-bit encoding gives an amazing resolution level that is another 16 times higher – a total of 4,096 times higher than the resolution of 24-bit encoding. Producing even finer bit tones minimizes operational error for outstanding expression of even subtle music signals.

The clock circuit, which supplies highly accurate reference clock signals to a digital circuit, can be considered the core unit of a digital player. The clock circuit of the P1 and D1 is completely independent of other circuits, including its power source and ground, enabling pure clock signals to be supplied to the system. The voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) was developed especially for the P1 and D1 in a joint effort with Nihon Dempa Kogyo (NDK), a major manufacturer of crystal oscillators. For a high-precision custom clock device worthy of leading models, high sound quality playback is provided thanks to an extremely low level of phase noise and a crystal element that is even larger than before.