Grandioso S1X - Receiver Esoteric - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL Grandioso S1X Esoteric

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION o DO NOT REMOVE THE EXTERNAL CASES OR CABINETS TO EXPOSE THE ELECTRONICS. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS ARE INSIDE. o IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PRODUCT, CONTACT THE STORE WHERE YOU PURCHASED THE UNIT FOR A SERVICE REFERRAL. DO NOT USE THE PRODUCT UNTIL IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. o USE OF CONTROLS OR ADJUSTMENTS OR PERFORMANCE OF PROCEDURES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN HAZARDOUS RADIATION EXPOSURE.1) Read these instructions.2) Keep these instructions.3) Heed all warnings.4) Follow all instructions.5) Do not use this apparatus near water.6) Clean only with dry cloth.7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched par-

ticularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.13) Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate nor-mally, or has been dropped. o The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its POWER or STANDBY/ON switch not in the ON position. o The mains plug is used as the disconnect device; the disconnect device shall remain readily operable. o Caution should be taken when using earphones or headphones with the product because excessive sound pressure (volume) from earphones or headphones can cause hearing loss. WARNING Products with Class ! construction are equipped with a power supply cord that has a grounding plug. The cord of such a prod-uct must be plugged into an AC outlet that has a protective grounding connection.IN USA/CANADA, USE ONLY ON 120V SUPPLY. CAUTION o Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes. o Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus. o Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a book case or similar unit. o The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily reach the power cord plug at any time. o If the product uses batteries (including a battery pack or installed batteries), they should not be exposed to sunshine, fire or excessive heat. o CAUTION for products that use replaceable lithium batteries: there is danger of explosion if a battery is replaced with an incorrect type of battery. Replace only with the same or equiva-lent type.4 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued) Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity Model number: GrandiosoS1X Trade name: ESOTERIC Responsible party: 11 Trading Company, LLC Address: 3502 Woodview Trace #200 Indianapolis, IN 46268 U.S.A. URL: https://11tradingcompany.com/contact-us/ This device complies with Part.15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1) This device may not cause harmful interference

2) This device must accept any interference received, including

interference that may cause undesired operation. Information This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equip- ment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the equipment and/or the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. CAUTION Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Model for Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Compliance Statement: This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Model for Europe This product complies with the European Directives request, and the other Commission Regulations. Model for UK This product complies with the applicable UK regulations. For European Customers Disposal of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries and/or accumulators a) All electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accu- mulators should be disposed of separately from the municipal waste stream via collection facilities designated by the govern- ment or local authorities. b) By disposing of electrical/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accumulators correctly, you will help save valu- able resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment. c) Improper disposal of waste electrical/electronic equipment and batteries/accumulators can have serious effects on the environment and human health because of the presence of hazardous substances in the equipment. d) The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) symbols, which show wheeled bins that have been crossed out, indicate that electrical/electronic equip- ment and batteries/accumulators must be collected and disposed of separately from household waste. If a battery or accumulator contains more than the specified values of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and/or cadmium (Cd) as defined in the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC, 2013/56/EU), then the chemical symbols for those elements will be indicated beneath the WEEE symbol. e) Return and collection systems are available to end users. For more detailed information about the disposal of old electri- cal/electronic equipment and waste batteries/accumulators, please contact your city office, waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the equipment. Pb, Hg, Cd ESOTERIC is a trademark of TEAC CORPORATION, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Other company names, product names and logos in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.5 English Contents Thank you for purchasing this ESOTERIC product. Read this manual carefully to get the best performance from this product. After reading it, keep it in a safe place with the warranty card for future reference.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ...............................3

• Before use p. 6
• Maintenance p. 7
• Names and functions of parts p. 8
• Connecting speakers p. 10
• Connecting using ES-LINK Analog p. 12
• Connections p. 13
• Basic operation p. 15
• Notes about the protection circuits p. 16
• Troubleshooting p. 16
• Specifications p. 17
• Dimensional drawings Included accessories Check to be sure the box includes all the supplied accessories shown below. Please contact the store where you purchased this product if any of these accessories are missing or have been damaged during transportation. Power cord × 1 Felt pads × 4 Owner’s manual (this document) × 1 Warranty card × 1 Before use Precautions for use o This unit is very heavy, so take care to avoid injury during installation. o Place the unit in a stable location near the audio system that will be used with it. o Do not install this unit in a location that could become hot. This includes places that are exposed to direct sunlight or near a radia- tor, heater, stove or other heating equipment. Moreover, do not place it on top of an amplifier or other equipment that gener- ates heat. Doing so could cause discoloration, deformation or malfunction. o Avoid locations that are subject to vibrations or exposed to exces- sive dust, cold or moisture. o This unit generates more heat than ordinary power amplifiers. When installing it, install it independently at least 20cm (8") from surrounding walls and other barriers. When putting it in a rack, be mindful of the temperature and use one with ventilation openings, for example, in addition to the con- ditions above. Failure to provide these gaps could cause heat to build up inside and result in fire. o Do not install it face up or on its side. o Do not place anything on top of this unit. Do not place it on top of bedding or thick carpet. Doing so could cause the unit to over- heat or damage it. o The voltage supplied to the unit should match the voltage as printed on its back. If you are in any doubt regarding this matter, consult an electrician. o Do not move the unit during use. o Do not open the body of the unit as doing so might result in damage to the circuitry or cause electric shock. If a foreign object should get into the unit, contact your dealer. o When removing the power plug from an outlet, always pull directly on the plug. Never pull on the cord itself.7 English Note about pinpoint feet High-precision metal pinpoint feet are attached to the bottom plate of this unit.The pinpoint feet and their stands are loose, but when the unit is placed in position, it is supported by these pinpoint feet, which effec-tively disperse vibrations.ChassisPinpoint foot (metal)Foot-stand (metal)After placement o This unit is very heavy, so take care to avoid injury during installation. o Apply the included felt pads to the bottoms of the foot-stands to avoid scratching the surface where the unit is placed. Maintenance Use a soft dry cloth to wipe the surface of the unit clean.For stubborn smudges, use a damp cloth that has been thoroughly wrung out to remove excess moisture. o Never spray liquid directly on this unit. o Do not wipe with chemical cleaning cloths, thinner or other chemical agents. Doing so could damage the surface. o Avoid allowing rubber or plastic materials to touch the unit for long periods of time because they could damage the cabinet. p. 186

For safety, disconnect the power plug from the outlet before cleaning.8 Names and functions of parts Front Back9 English A STANDBY/ON button Press this to turn the unit on or put it into standby mode. After turning the unit on, the power indicator will blink and no sound will be output for a few seconds. Wait until the indicator stops blinking and stays lit. o Since this unit has a large power transformer and capacitors, the power transformer might make noise for a short time after the unit is turned on. This is normal behavior, not a malfunction. B Power indicator This lights when the unit is on. A Analog INPUTS connectors Connect these to the analog output connectors of preamps. Set the INPUT SELECTOR switch to choose the connector to use. Use commercially available cables for connections. RCA: RCA cables XLR, ESL-A: balanced XLR cables Insert balanced XLR plugs until the connector levers lock. Press these levers and pull the plugs out to disconnect. o The XLR connectors are 2 “HOT”. Use compatible cables. o Insert the plugs completely. Do not bundle these cables together with power cords or speaker cables. Doing so could degrade the sound quality or cause noise. o For ESL-A connections, use balanced XLR cables that are shielded. Using cables that are not shielded could cause noise. B TRIGGER connectors Use these connectors to control power from an external source. Commercially-available 3.5mm mono mini plug cables are necessary for connections. Please prepare cables with the lengths necessary for the use conditions. IN: This turns the unit on or put it into standby mode in coordi- nation with the connected device. THROUGH: Multiple GrandiosoS1X units can be coordinated with the power of an external device by connecting this to the TRIGGER IN of a second GrandiosoS1X. C AUTO POWER SAVE switch Use this to turn the automatic power saving function on and off. When the automatic power saving function is on, if there is no audio input (continuous silence) from the selected input source for 30 minutes, the unit will enter standby mode automatically. o The input sources that are not selected have no effect on automatic power saving. D LED brightness adjustment knob Use this to adjust the brightness of the power indicator. E AC power inlet (~IN) Connect the supplied power cord to this AC inlet. After completing all other connections, plug the power plug into a power outlet.

Use only a genuine ESOTERIC power cord. Use of other power cords could result in fire or electric shock.

Disconnect the power plug from the outlet if you will not use the unit for a long time. F SIGNAL GND grounding terminal Using commercially-available sheathed wire (for example, PVC- insulated) to create grounded connections with the speakers, the preamplifier or other equipment might improve the sound quality. o This is not a safety grounding terminal. G INPUT SELECTOR switch Use this to switch between the RCA, XLR and ESL-A inputs.

Do not change this when the unit is on. Doing so could result in a sudden loud noise that could harm your hearing or damage the connected speakers. H OUTPUT MODE switch Use this to change the unit operation mode. STEREO: stereo power amplifier BI-AMP: bi-amplifier10 Connecting speakers When using bare speaker wires Loosen locknut B and insert the core wire in the hole. Then, tighten locknut B. o The hole for the insertion of the core wire is open vertically.Cross-sections o The maximum wire diameter that can be inserted is 4mm (5/32"). When using spade connectors Loosen locknut B and insert the spade connector. Then, tighten lock-nut B. o Use a spade connector with an inside diameter of at least 8mm (5/16").Terminal cross section8mm (5/16") or more Notes about speaker cables o Use commercially-available speaker cables to connect the speakers. o Use the shortest speaker cables possible. The longer the cable, the greater the resistance value and the more that damping perfor-mance is reduced. Moreover, length also increases inductance and capacitance, degrading the sound quality of high frequencies. o Use left and right speaker cables that have the same length. How to connect speaker cables Use commercially-available speaker cables to connect the + terminal of the unit to the + terminal of the speaker and the − terminal of the unit to the − terminal of the speaker. o Use speakers with at least 4Ω impedance. o If the exposed tip of the core wire of a speaker cable contacts another cord or terminal, a short will occur.Never allow speaker cables to cause a short. o Do not connect more than one amplifier to a speaker. o Do not bundle speaker cables with power cords. Doing so could cause noise.

The power plug should always be disconnected when connecting speaker cables. Locknut BLocknut A When using banana plugs Loosen locknut A and insert the plug into the opening in the end of the terminal. Then, tighten locknut A. o Keep locknut B tightened when using. o Carefully read the instructions for the banana plugs that you are using.11 English

Precautions when connecting speaker cables Connect the cables securely so that they do not become loose and the core wires or terminals at their ends do not become exposed and contact other metal parts or the unit. Notice about the European model In accordance with European safety regulations, connecting banana plugs to speaker terminals is not allowed on European models. The holes into which banana plugs could be inserted have been covered with black caps. Connect speakers using bare wires or spade connectors. If a black cap should become separated from its terminal, return it to its original position.12 Connecting using ES-LINK Analog ES-LINK Analog overview The current transmission method utilizes the performance of HCLD buffer circuits that feature the ability to supply strong current at high speed. This suppresses the impact of impedance on signal paths, enabling pure and powerful transmission of signals. o Ordinary balanced cables (with XLR connectors) are used for connection. These connectors can only be used with compatible devices, however, because the transmission format is unique. Connecting to a preamplifier using ES-LINK Analog When the output mode is STEREO Preamplifier XLR cable XLR cable Analog audio output (ESL-A) connectors Use an XLR cable to connect the analog audio output (ESL-A) con- nector of a preamp to the ES-LINK Analog input (ESL-A) connector on this unit. o Set the INPUT SELECTOR switch on this unit to ESL-A. o When the output mode is BI-AMP, connect XLR cables only to the BI-AMP input connectors. o Normal XLR and RCA connections are also possible. Select the connection type that provides the audio quality you prefer. ATTENTION o The ESL-A input connector of this unit is a male-type connector to prevent accidental connection by mistaking it for the XLR input connector. o For ESL-A connections, use balanced XLR cables that are shielded. Using cables that are not shielded could cause noise.13 English Using STEREO output mode Set the OUTPUT MODE switch to STEREO. Connections

Precautions when making connections Complete all other connections before connecting power plugs to power outlets. Always disconnect the power plug of this unit before disconnecting anything else.Read the owner’s manuals of all devices that will be con-nected, and follow their instructions. PREOUT

PREOUT XLR pin assignment1. COMMON2. HOT (+)3. COLD (−)Connect using a set of only one type.PreamplifierXLR cableXLR cableXLR cablesRCA cableRCA cableSpeaker (R) Speaker (L)Preamplifier that supports ES-LINK AnalogSet INPUT SELECTOR to the type of connectors being used. Wall outletIncluded power cord14

ATTENTION o Connection for bi-amplification is not possible with speakers that do not have both low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) terminals. o When using bi-amp connections, remove speaker terminal links, and disconnect the connections between speaker ¥ terminals and between ^ terminals. o Do not connect anything to the unit’s analog INPUTS R connec- tors. Doing so could result in damage. Using BI-AMP output mode This unit can be used as a mono bi-amplifier.Set the OUTPUT MODE switches on the units for the L and R channels to BI-AMP.In BI-AMP mode, use two of these units for stereo playback.What is bi-amp connection?This method operates amplifiers independently for low-frequency and high-frequency speaker units. NOTE Sound input through the analog INPUTS L connectors will be output from both the L and R SPEAKER terminals.PreamplifierPreamplifier that supports ES-LINK Analog PREOUT

PREOUT XLR cablesSpeaker (R) Speaker (L) Wall outletIncluded power cord Wall outletIncluded power cordXLR pin assignment1. COMMON2. HOT (+)3. COLD (−)Connect using a set of only one type.Set INPUT SELECTOR to the type of connectors being used.XLR cableRCA cableXLR cableRCA cable Connections (continued)15 English Basic operation In order to protect the speakers, follow the steps below when turning on a system connected to this unit and when putting that system into standby. Turning the unit on 1 Turn the audio source device on. 2 Turn the preamp power on and minimize its volume. 3 Press the STANDBY/ON button to turn this unit on. After turning the unit on, the power indicator will blink and no sound will be output for a few seconds. Wait until the power indicator stops blinking and stays lit before adjusting the volume and conducting other operations. Putting the unit into standby 1 If a source device is playing, stop playback. 2 Minimize the preamplier volume. 3 Put this unit into standby. 4 Turn the preamplier o. 5 Turn the source device o.16 Notes about the protection circuits This unit has an overload protection circuit, an overheating protec- tion circuit and a DC voltage protection circuit built-in. When an abnormality is detected, the power indicator will blink red repeatedly in a pattern as shown below. Then the protection circuit will activate and the unit will enter standby mode. Overload detected DC detected Left channel overheating detected Right channel overheating detected Left and right channel overheating detected Countermeasures Overload detected A short might have occurred with the +/− speaker cables. Disconnect the power cord and check the connections with the speakers. Left channel overheating detected Right channel overheating detected Left and right channel overheating detected The internal temperature has become high. Turn the power off and wait a while until the temperature has cooled down or improve the installation conditions to increase the ventilation. DC detected Since an internal circuit might be malfunctioning, disconnect the power cord and contact the retailer where you purchased the unit. If the indicator continues to blink even after likely causes have been eliminated, contact the store where you purchased the unit. Troubleshooting If you experience a problem with this product, please take a moment to review the following information before requesting service. If this product still does not operate correctly, contact the retailer where you purchased it. The unit does not turn on. e Insert the power plug into an outlet. Standby mode starts automatically. e The automatic power saving function is operating to put the unit into standby. Press the STANDBY/ON button on the main unit to turn it on. e Change the automatic power saving setting if necessary (page9). No sound is output. e Turn this unit on. e Confirm that the preamplifier is on. Before turning the pream- plifier on, put this unit into standby. e Confirm that a signal is being output from the preamplifier. e Check the connections between this unit, the preamplifier and the speaker, as well as between the audio source device and the preamplifier. e Confirm that the correct input is selected on the preamplifier. e Confirm that the correct input is selected on this unit. e Raise the preamplifier volume. The power indicator repeatedly blinks red in an irregular pattern. e A protection circuit is active. Put the unit into standby and eliminate the cause (page16). The stereo sound position is irregular. e Check that neither of the speakers has a connection cable with +/− reversed.17 English Specifications General Power supply Model for Europe .................................. AC 230V, 50Hz Model for USA/Canada ............................ AC 120V, 60Hz Power consumption .................. 330W (270W when no signal) External dimensions (W × H × D, including protrusions) 491 × 221 × 536 mm (19 3/8" × 8 3/4" × 21 1/8") Weight ............................................ 48kg (105 7/8lb) Operating temperature range ......................... +5°C to +35°C Operating humidity range ............. 5% to 85% (no condensation) Storage temperature range .......................... −20°C to +55°C Included accessories Power cord × 1 Felt pads × 4 Owner’s manual (this document) × 1 Warranty card × 1 o Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice. o Weight and dimensions are approximate. o Illustrations in this manual might differ slightly from production models. Audio performance Rated output ................... 50W + 50W (8Ω, Class A operation) 100W + 100W (4Ω) Frequency response ............... 5Hz – 100kHz (+0dB, −3dB, 8Ω) S/N ratio .......................................... 109dB (IHF-A, XLR) Total harmonic distortion ................... 0.006% (1kHz, 8Ω, 50W) Compatible impedance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Ω – 16Ω Gain .................................................... 28.5dB (XLR) 34.5dB (RCA) Damping factor .................................................. 700 Input connectors ESL-A ....................................................... 1 pair RCA ........................................................ 1 pair XLR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pair Input impedance RCA ........................................................ 50kΩ XLR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100kΩ Trigger connectors IN ............................................................... 1 THROUGH ....................................................... 118 Dimensional drawings

• 4 patas de 48 mm de diámetro0323∙MA-3619A ESOTERIC COMPANY 1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530, Japan Phone: +81-42-356-9156 This product has a serial number located on the rear panel. Please write it here and retain this for your records. Model name: Grandioso S1X Serial number