Thread: Esoteric N-01XD

ok, thx.
thought you would need an extreme internet connection for that.

CD quality is a stream. DSD 512 is a river.

Originally Posted by brodricj

In exactly the same way you stream Spotify direct to the DAC without downloading.

Spotify much less CD Quality. It cannot compare to the bandwidth required for DSD512.
I know only of two ways to get DSD512 files.

1. You can purchase and download the DSD512 file from a site like HDTracks, store it in a hard drive/SSD, and then play it via a DAC capable of doing DSD512, (I believe that this is what Mike was referring to), or
2. You can use a computer with specialty software to upsample a file of a lower resolution (that may be stored in your computer or streamed from any site) to DSD512.

In my experience I find it more convenient to use a music service and a computer, and convert/upsample any file to 512DSD on the fly without having to spend time downloading files to a drive.

Internet speed is measured in bits. Files are measured in bytes.

thx for all the discussion.

i am new to streaming and close to order the n1xd with the new mutec se120 and a good switch.
the internet speedtest showed 902mbps for download, so the plan is to get a qobuz hi-res membership and stream direct without a storage.

Originally Posted by u-sound

thx for all the discussion.

i am new to streaming and close to order the n1xd with the new mutec se120 and a good switch.
the internet speedtest showed 902mbps for download, so the plan is to get a qobuz hi-res membership and stream direct without a storage.

I have been researching the Nagra tube DAC and saw that you bought one sometime back.

Now, you are moving to the Esoteric N-01XD. I am very curious to know how you made this decision, have you compared the two. Does the N-01XD beat the Nagra Tube DAC, which would be quite an accomplishment if true. Since the Esoteric is much cheaper and an SS design.

I am trying to decide between the two, myself.

Thanks,
Bhaskar

Originally Posted by Mike

Esoteric N-01XD + Magico A5?s + Pass X260.8 + Pass XP22 + all Shunyata Alpha V2 cabling. DSD512. - YouTube

Wow. Amazing sound! One of the best from you.

Originally Posted by essrand

I have been researching the Nagra tube DAC and saw that you bought one sometime back.

Now, you are moving to the Esoteric N-01XD. I am very curious to know how you made this decision, have you compared the two. Does the N-01XD beat the Nagra Tube DAC, which would be quite an accomplishment if true. Since the Esoteric is much cheaper and an SS design.

I am trying to decide between the two, myself.

Thanks,
Bhaskar

hi bhaskar
thx for your question. yes, i had an all nagra system and it sounded very great, organic, rich, thereness. everything finetuned to each other, perfect synergy. the upgrade from hd dac to tube dac with psu was spectactular with good recordings.
the reason to change is that the system i am puzzling together has the intention of an easy modern family system.
streamer, integrated amp, speaker, thats it.
the nagra is a bit complicated to handle for the kids. when you put it on, it takes 2 minutes to warm up. streamer, tube dac and psu means 3 units vs 1 unit (n-01xd).
also, there was a friend who asked multiple times whether i want to sell the nagras. eventually i got weak and sold it about 2 weeks ago.
i have no idea how the two compare. big price difference.
not much help sorry. i really liked the tube dac with the psu. i am pretty sure i will like the esoteric as well.

what is the rest of your electronic if i may ask?

Originally Posted by u-sound

hi bhaskar
thx for your question. yes, i had an all nagra system and it sounded very great, organic, rich, thereness. everything finetuned to each other, perfect synergy. the upgrade from hd dac to tube dac with psu was spectactular with good recordings.
the reason to change is that the system i am puzzling together has the intention of an easy modern family system.
streamer, integrated amp, speaker, thats it.
the nagra is a bit complicated to handle for the kids. when you put it on, it takes 2 minutes to warm up. streamer, tube dac and psu means 3 units vs 1 unit (n-01xd).
also, there was a friend who asked multiple times whether i want to sell the nagras. eventually i got weak and sold it about 2 weeks ago.
i have no idea how the two compare. big price difference.
not much help sorry. i really liked the tube dac with the psu. i am pretty sure i will like the esoteric as well.

what is the rest of your electronic if i may ask?

Hello,

Thank you for your quick and detailed response.
Currently my system is: Bricasti M12 (dac/streamer/preamp) -> Nagra 300P -> Devore speakers.
Not getting a very good synergy between the Bricasti preamp and the Nagra amp, so thinking of replacing it with Nagra DAC and Nagra pre.

Yeah, the Nagra tube dac is a too many boxes. Perhaps it's worth it. I don't know. I usually like tube dacs more than ss dacs and I loved the Nagra HD DAC when I heard it in my system.

The Esoteric N-01XD seems like a nice compact solution and can be kept on all the time, so its a debate which way to go.

Whenever you get the N-01 would love to hear your comparisons (via memory of course).

Cheers,
Bhaskar

Originally Posted by brodricj

For my money the N-01XD is a no-brainer.

Have you heard the Nagra tube or HD DAC?

Originally Posted by brodricj

Being an owner of N-01, and being a former owner of many other DAC's, and having heard even more other DAC's than those, the N-01 remains the best I've thus heard. If there wasn't an N-01XD I'd be perfectly content with what I have. For the money, even at MSRP, the N-01XD is a no-brainer.

Thanks for your thoughts

I know another guy (from whom I bought my Nagra amp), an experienced audiophile and reviews for some Taiwan hi-fi mag. I asked him the same question. He says the Nagra tube DAC is a no-brainer (he owns the HD and a DSC Rossini) and says Esoteric is too analytical. But I don't think he has heard the N-01 or the N-01XD

U-sound might be the only person I know, who (at some point) will have heard both (but not A/B), there might be others but they ain't on the internet I guess, and are too busy listening to music.

I haven't heard any Esoteric digital piece so am biased towards Nagra dac since I heard the Nagra HD once and was floored. So let's see.

well, certainly the two, tube dac or n1xd are top units and it might come down to synergy over the last bit of quality.
what i can tell you for sure, the tube dac will be perfect with the 300p. also the internal pre of the tube dac in this combination is at least as good as with an additional classic pre. thats the system my nagra dealer praises a lot. really liked it myself too.
i think it depends on your long term planning about your amp. will you stay with the 300p? if yes, then the tube dac will be hard to beat. if no, the tube dac is still a top dac. but then you might need a pre.
and if streaming is your goal, you will need to wait a couple more monthes for the nagra streamer, and yes, pay for it.
the nagra streamer + tube dac + psu + 3 plattforms.....that is more than double the price of the n1xd.
again, your bill is a bit different, n1xd would mean adding a pre at high level (plus powercorcd, interconnect)

Originally Posted by u-sound

well, certainly the two, tube dac or n1xd are top units and it might come down to synergy over the last bit of quality.
what i can tell you for sure, the tube dac will be perfect with the 300p. also the internal pre of the tube dac in this combination is at least as good as with an additional classic pre. thats the system my nagra dealer praises a lot. really liked it myself too.
i think it depends on your long term planning about your amp. will you stay with the 300p? if yes, then the tube dac will be hard to beat. if no, the tube dac is still a top dac. but then you might need a pre.
and if streaming is your goal, you will need to wait a couple more monthes for the nagra streamer, and yes, pay for it.
the nagra streamer + tube dac + psu + 3 plattforms.....that is more than double the price of the n1xd.
again, your bill is a bit different, n1xd would mean adding a pre at high level (plus powercorcd, interconnect)

That is very useful information. If the Nagra tube dac will save me from buying the pre, then it's worth it.

Have you heard the combo, the Nagra tube dac straight into the 300p, is that what your Nagra dealer praises or is it with the classic pre that your dealer praises (sorry I didn't get that part) ? I am always wary of DAC direct, have tried so many times and failed.

Originally Posted by essrand

That is very useful information. If the Nagra tube dac will save me from buying the pre, then it's worth it.

Have you heard the combo, the Nagra tube dac straight into the 300p, is that what your Nagra dealer praises or is it with the classic pre that your dealer praises (sorry I didn't get that part) ? I am always wary of DAC direct, have tried so many times and failed.

Sorry, I will take the rest of this discussion about the Nagra Tube DAC offline to avoid derailing this thread.
But, u-sound, please feel free to post your thoughts on N-01XD vs Nagra tube dac on this thread, as that would be relevant here.

Mike sounds busy!!!! I wonder which one of those jobs pays the most?

Hope you're successful getting to see your Canadian relatives for the holidays.

Dear all, how would anyone compare N-01XD with Chord M-Scaler + Dave + any top Streamer? Would you choose N-01XD over Chord if you were using Chord currently? This post seems the best for N-01XD anywhere on the Web!? Thank you for sharing any experience/thoughts.

Question for Mike,

I currently own a K-01X and would like to upgrade.

I only bought the K-01x because it gave me the option of connecting a digital player to it. My first preference was digital,
but the K-01x seemed best of both worlds.

Over the years i have been unable to find a digital sound i liked.
I have tried a dedicate PC, A Bryston BDP-3 and lately an Aurender ACS100, using a Nordost TYR 2 USB to connect them.

The PC was ok, the bryston quite alot better with great detail, but the Aurender, really took away alot of the high end detail.

I am looking for a Digital player that will give me the CD sound or better, than playing cd's in my K-01X. Then a player wouldn't matter.

I have the funds to make a purchase in the N-01XD range, and no more.

SO my options at that price range would be:

N-01XD
K-03XD and an and Aurender N10
Aurender A30

The N-01XD has both USB and Ethernet network interfaces with similar specs. I am under the impression that USB is the ubiquitous interface offering across streamer products but that Ethernet may have technical advantages. There also appear to be a galaxy of gizmo attachment devices that some consider essential for getting the best sound out of products like the N-01XD. For those of you with N-01XD experience or plans to acquire one, which is your preferred network interface and why? Do you consider the USB/Ethernet interface differences significant r.e. SQ/usability?

Thyname,

I started to do some testing with the Esoteric Sound stream app before i get my player.

Did you place your music on a NAS. I loaded my test music on my Synology NAS under the Music folder.

I was able to see all the songs and the album art fine at first. I then did a "Reload Music Library" and now i have a complete duplicate entry off all songs. But the
duplicate has no album art. I have tried deleting the esoteric app and reinstalling but it still exists. I also deleted the folder and songs on the nas and recreated it. It still has the
duplication. It's like the sound stream app put some hidden files somewhere and i can't find them.

I did notice that there are 2 folders under "Recently Added" One has all the songs and no art. The other has all songs and album art. How do i clean up this mess.

The other question is if you have a nas, did you load the minimServer. I don't understand why you would have to do this. It's in the Sound Stream manual on page 2.

Or maybe i'm having these problems because i need to be connected to the player.

wklie,


I installed it and my problems are now fixed.

There was no Minimserver in the package center, or Java.

My Synology was up to date.

So just installed minimserver 2 and Java.

All ok now.