Esoteric Grandioso K1 (SACD) vs MSB Ref (QOBUZ), Stenheim Alumine 3 [Mark Knopfler - Everybody Pays]

*Adjust Earphone volume to suit.*
[Mark Knopfler - Everybody Pays]
Contact: [e-mail]
0:00 - Intro
0:01 - Esoteric Grandioso K1
5:23 - MSB Reference DAC
For more info about the product contact: hiendaudio.com.au
NOTE: I have not tried to accurately match the volume by SPL. Roughly matched volume by ear. Adjust volume to suit your headphones.
Source: SACD & QOBUZ
SACD PLAYER: Esoteric Grandioso K1
DAC: MSB Reference DAC
Pre Amplifier: Karan LINEa Pre Amplifier
Power Amplifier: Kharma Exquisite MP-1000 Signature Monoblocks
Speakers: Stenheim Alumine 3
Power Conditioner: Shunyata Everest 8000T
Grounding: Entreq Olympus Infinity and Entreq Tellus 2
USB Cable: HABST USB
Interconnects: Zensati No 1, VYDA Silver line and Analysis Plus
Speaker Cable: Zensati Silenzio
Power Cables: Shunyata Omega XC, Shunyata Omega QR, Shunyata Alpha, ANSUZ Ceramic, Kharma Elegance
NOTE: Recorded handheld with iPhone 13 Pro Max with inbuilt microphone!!
#highendaudio #hifi #audiophile #audioequipment #stereo #stenheim #kharma #Karan #msb #zensati #esoteric

[@davidopalecky7318]

Esoteric by far!

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Yep...SACD does sound better compared to Streaming 😊

[@theflyingdutchman7127]

The esoteric plays with great conviction and flow, and wins this equation with childish ease.❤

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Perhaps this is a win for SACD...compared to streaming 😊

[@danielkromer2295]

Esoteric by a mile. More analog like and less fatiguing. Thanks for all your great shootouts.

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 I agree in this shootout the Esoteric playing SACD was definitely better...it is even more apparent listening in room. I wonder how the shootouts will work out if I used the Esoteric as a transport feeding the MSB DAC vs Esoteric as a player. Both playing the SACD. That's for another day 😊

[@lildadh5308]

Esoteric all the way

[@DynamicAudio]

Thanks You 🙏. I agree. I think this is shootout is more about SACD vs Streaming. No doubt...content is king!!

[@billarmstrong5568]

My vote goes to the Esoteric. Sounds more fleshed out, particularly on the vocal... Cheers🍻

[@DynamicAudio]

Thanks Bill 🙏 yes the SACD does reveal more inner detail than streaming.

[@REX4340]

I prefer the MSB although the difference isn't great.

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏

[@rsundar1973]

Thanks for this. Was Esoteric using its built in DAC here? Have you tried comparing streaming of Esoteric and MSB?

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Yes Esoteric was playing the SACD…where as the MSB was streaming via Qobuz. The intent of this shootout was to illustrate how important the ‘content’ is. Even DAC of MSB’s ability can come up second best if the source content is of lesser quality. If I do this test again with the same source…say Streaming…then the results can be different (subjectively speaking).

[@rsundar1973]

@@DynamicAudio I am very curious of that shoot out. Hopefully one day you will upload that comparison.

[@kibonohiro8588]

Does dpx14545 place on top of amplifier helps improve sound quality ?

[@DynamicAudio]

Not necessarily…use of dampers can be a hit or miss depending on the gear. They can make a difference…Just have to try and find out if you like what they do. The large heat sinks on some amps can resonate sympathetically with the music…dampers can help in some of those situations. Most amps don’t need dampers on them…IME footers and platforms are far more effective.

[@mochipepper]

No contest, Esoteric has the clarity, depth, and better sound stage.

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Esoteric had the SACD as source…whereas MSB was streaming.

[@sickkids666]

Prefer the Esoteric …has the these speakers dethroned the Martens?

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Stenheim Alimine 3 is here on audition for a couple of weeks more. Trying them with various set ups at the moment. The Marten will be back once the Stenheim leaves. If I go the Stenheim way in the future it will likely be the Alumine 5 or above models. There is a lot to like with the Stenheim's 😊

[@johnvalatos4073]

Esoteric had the better vocals, MSB less open.

[@DynamicAudio]

Thank You 🙏 Agree. To me this more of a comparison between SACD and Streaming 😊

[@johnvalatos4073]

@@DynamicAudio Ok, no wonder. I assumed it was DAC vs DAC 👍.

[@DynamicAudio]

@@johnvalatos4073 Yep Content is King!! I wonder what the results will be if I used the Esoteric as a transport feeding the MSB DAC vs Esoteric as a player. Both playing the SACD.

[@johnvalatos4073]

@@DynamicAudio Yes, that would be interesting, DAC vs DAC. Would like to hear that shootout with the same track.

[@rsundar1973]

@@DynamicAudio Why do you say that as DACs are different as well. Right?