Esoteric Grandioso T1 turntable arrives; G1X Master Clock coming.

[Mike Lavigne]

it's here. the Esoteric Grandioso T1 turntable is......in pieces on my floor. beautiful pieces i might add. i'm taking a break after my unpacking efforts so i thought i should post some pictures. most of the pieces are still wrapped up, but i need to rest. a week ago i helped move my 200 pound Saskia to it's new home. down 2 flights of stairs. then last Monday a friend and i moved my -2- sold Studer A-820's to the crating company. and i'm officially old. so i'm pacing myself tonight to reach the finish line. i want to be playing music on the T1 before i call it a night.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

in quick order, the T1 is now assembled, power supply installed and hooked up, and the T1 is ready for the arm to be installed.

Picture one shows the space above waiting for the G1X Master Clock in a few weeks. Picture 2 shows the power supply connection on the back of the turntable motor case, then along side of the power supply connection is the BNC input for the Master Clock.

picture 5 shows the markings on the spindle and platter that have to be aligned when the platter is installed.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

i got music. plugged it in, pressed play......the speed readout took a minute to get to 33.3.

and with a semi-cowboy set-up on a strange to me arm, grabbed a cheap phono cable, and zero tweaking of the suspension or speed, some really fine sounding music. powerful, flowing music. there is a push and boggie factor that carries me along. tried the 1:50 silver EMIA SUT with the Koetsu Azule Platinum but that was way too much, it's gliding along free and easy with the 1:15 silver EMIA.

time to just listen. i have packing laying everywhere but no worries.

added note #1-----this is next level stuff i'm hearing. but it's a new arm and a new to me cartridge, so i can't really know what is doing what. but the energy and power is staggering. much more force and intent in the music.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Esoteric Grandioso T1 turntable

Esoteric Grandioso GIX Master Clock

 

[jazdoc]

you are ‘mature’ not ‘old’

congratulations and enjoy in good health

 

[Johan K]

Looks awesome Mike! Congratulations to your new beautiful turntable.

Remember?: We audiophiles never get older than 25… only our toys get better trough the years.

Keep it up Mike, you’re doing great !

All the best

/ Johan

 

[Ron Resnick]

Congratulations, Mike! It looks wonderful!

 

[adyc]

Congratulations! I may miss it. Is the tonearm also from Esoteric?

 

[Klonk]

Beautiful machine. Being Japanese, I am sure design and finish is top notch. Anyway, enjoy the beast.

 

[Kingrex]

Nice table. I watched a Howard Kneller video on the table. Interesting drive system.
What do you mean took a minute to get to speed.
Your saying it has power, push, buggy. Do you know how much slip the motor to the platter has.
How stable is the rotation speed?
Are you using the "Stock" arm?
What's the device over the record. Anti static device?
So many questions. Inquiring minds want to know.
I also see its not on any sort of active vibration control. Do you not use those under TT now?
Rex

 

[cjfrbw]

Is this considered a DD, or some new category?

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

congrats with nice tt
the Ikeda might contribute to that listening impression as well
at least what I experienced in my setup

 

[andromedaaudio]

Congrats mike

From this angle it looks almost like it has a gear wheel at the bottom of the platter.
May be the controller unit in the front has a pinion to drive the platter , im just guessing here

 

[bonzo75]

Wheel of Cheese

 

[ashandger]

Congratulations Mike! Looking forward to your updates here. I think Michael Fremer's review will be out in the next couple of months. I believe he is very impressed.

 

[XV-1]

Looks amazing Mike. very envious.

 

[Johan K]

Me tooooooo ?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Is this considered a DD, or some new category?

it's an idler, on steroid's. a magnetic rim drive specifically.

the magnetic wheel is driving the ring of teeth at the bottom of the outside of the platter, without touching them.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Very curious as to whether it at least superficially resembles the sound of your previous idler Saskia.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Congratulations! I may miss it. Is the tonearm also from Esoteric?

thank you.

the TA-9D tonearm is is a 'special' version of the Ikeda IT-345CR1 9". the arm wand appears to be stainless, the rest appears to be aluminum. i am using the CS Port head shell since the Esoteric/Ikeda head shell pin sockets were too small to work with the Koetsu Azule Platinum cartridge pins.

my first impression is that this arm has plenty of energy, bass heft and space, but maybe is not the last word in detail. although right now listening to an orchestral piece and the arm/cart is sure sorting out things at a very high level. nothing congealed or lacking textures. but might my others arms do it better?

no way to judge that until i get my other arms on board. this arm and the Koetsu stone body seem like a very synergistic match. that was in mind when i choose the cartridge.