*NEW* Esoteric N-05XD

**Ritmo** · January 10, 2023, 07:31 AM

Welcome to AS barbz!

**kzhtoo** · January 11, 2023, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by barbz

Hi all,

Wondering how the earlier owners of the N-05XD are finding it 12-18 months on - do you still own the N-05xd or have you had the upgrade itch since?

I've been searching for owner comments and comparisons of the N-05XD against other dacs but there is little out there or little that I can find.

Would anyone have any comments on how as a DAC the esoteric compares to the May, the MSB Discrete or the Aqua La Scala/Formula?

Lastly is there much difference between the USB input and the built in streamer if using roon? I have an antipodes K30 and can pass network out or usb.

Thankyou

I still own it although I no longer use its preamp function (as I found a pre I really like). My experience is, as mentioned before in this thread, it is on par with MSB Discrete without using an external master clock to N-05XD. With Cybershaft master clock feeding N-05XD, it easily surpasses Discrete. The additional cost for master clock is also substantial.

I do think about upgrading to N-01XD from time to time, but haven’t gone down that path yet as I don’t feel the need immediately.

**tdx444** · March 27, 2023, 04:14 PM

Hi all

I just recently got the N-05XD, I like it very much, great AIO. I just have two little issues, and I wanted to see if anyone had experience with either of them:

- For the life of me I cant figure out how to consistently activate the auto screen off. I select it in the menu, and sometimes it will dim the screen to clack after 10 mins like it's supposed to, but others it wont. I cant figure out what's causing it not to go to black, and i worry about the screen burning in in the long run since it's an OLED screen.

- Also, while the Ethernet input work well and sounds great, I wanted to also occasionally use the USB input on the DAC. When I connect it to my computer I get a lot of low level background electrical noise through my headphones. My previous DAC (Holo May), connected to the same PC did not have that issue, so I wonder if there's something I could do to fix it.

if anyone has tips or ideas about this please let me know.

Thanks!

**brodricj** · March 27, 2023, 05:46 PM

What firmware version do you have installed on the N-05XD?

**tdx444** · March 27, 2023, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by brodricj

What firmware version do you have installed on the N-05XD?

Hi I have the latest (2.02). Im wondering if the issue of the screen not turning off is due to Roon sending some sort of phantom signal even when its not playing?

**wklie** · March 28, 2023, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by tdx444

When I connect it to my computer I get a lot of low level background electrical noise through my headphones.

At your own risk, try using a cheater plug for the computer.

Disable Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, etc. if you don't need these services.

**tdx444** · March 28, 2023, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by wklie

At your own risk, try using a cheater plug for the computer.

Disable Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, etc. if you don't need these services.

ok thanks ill try

**Mr Peabody** · March 28, 2023, 12:30 PM

I was recently reading about the N05XD and learned Lumin helped or consulted on the network end of the unit.

Originally Posted by wklie

At your own risk, try using a cheater plug for the computer.

Disable Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, etc. if you don't need these services.

**Mr Peabody** · March 28, 2023, 12:33 PM

How does the sound of the N05XD compare to the May? What made you switch? Thanks

Originally Posted by tdx444

Hi all

I just recently got the N-05XD, I like it very much, great AIO. I just have two little issues, and I wanted to see if anyone had experience with either of them:

- For the life of me I cant figure out how to consistently activate the auto screen off. I select it in the menu, and sometimes it will dim the screen to clack after 10 mins like it's supposed to, but others it wont. I cant figure out what's causing it not to go to black, and i worry about the screen burning in in the long run since it's an OLED screen.

- Also, while the Ethernet input work well and sounds great, I wanted to also occasionally use the USB input on the DAC. When I connect it to my computer I get a lot of low level background electrical noise through my headphones. My previous DAC (Holo May), connected to the same PC did not have that issue, so I wonder if there's something I could do to fix it.

if anyone has tips or ideas about this please let me know.

Thanks!

**Mr Peabody** · March 28, 2023, 12:47 PM

Hi Stu, do you think the N05XD DAC sounds better than the Discrete?

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Sounds like you loved your demo, Mark. Please do share your impression.

It’s breaking in nicely for me. Still has a way to go to hit 200 hours as Mike recommended. So far so good and no feeling of being underwhelmed whatsoever. Rich, big sound from the get go. I came from MSB Discrete, so it’s my bare minimum. Excited to explore its feature set such as headphone output, pre-amp function in the coming days, although this will mainly be used as DAC + media player in the rig.

**tdx444** · March 28, 2023, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

How does the sound of the N05XD compare to the May? What made you switch? Thanks

I loved the May and thought I had found my endgame amp. But once i heard the Esoteric I knew I had to have it. It has absolutely all the May qualities (huge soundstage, crazy dynamics, etc) but in comparison I realized the May was giving up too much in order to achieve this. Whereas the N-05XD doesn't give up anything. It's effortlessly big, refined, impactful and musical all at once, and all in perfect balance. Plus it has a kick-**s streamer, preamp, HP out and app. So now I really think I've found my endgame. Until the next one of course

**tdx444** · March 28, 2023, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I was recently reading about the N05XD and learned Lumin helped or consulted on the network end of the unit.

I actually had to change my amp recently and now the digital noise is gone. So problem #1 is solved. Now if I could get the screen to reliably turn off by itself after 10' I would be a happy camper

**thyname** · March 28, 2023, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by tdx444

I actually had to change my amp recently and now the digital noise is gone. So problem #1 is solved. Now if I could get the screen to reliably turn off by itself after 10' I would be a happy camper

Page 27 of the manual:

Automatic display dimming setting DPaOFF>***
Use this to set the display to darken automatically .
o By default, the setting is ON .
o If the OEL display is left on with the same indication for a long time, brightness irregularities can occur . For this reason, we recommend that you set the automatic display dimming function to ON .
ON
If no operation is conducted for ten minutes, the display automati- cally turns off .
OFF
The display will not turn off automatically .
o If no operation is conducted for ten minutes, the display will dim to DIMMER 1 brightness to protect it from excessive wear .

It’s on Menu 1. I know no one reads manuals anymore 🤷*♂️

**tdx444** · March 28, 2023, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by thyname

Page 27 of the manual:

Automatic display dimming setting DPaOFF>***
Use this to set the display to darken automatically .
o By default, the setting is ON .
o If the OEL display is left on with the same indication for a long time, brightness irregularities can occur . For this reason, we recommend that you set the automatic display dimming function to ON .
ON
If no operation is conducted for ten minutes, the display automati- cally turns off .
OFF
The display will not turn off automatically .
o If no operation is conducted for ten minutes, the display will dim to DIMMER 1 brightness to protect it from excessive wear .

It’s on Menu 1. I know no one reads manuals anymore 🤷*♂️

Thanks I had actually seen that

My issue is that I did enable this and sometimes it will turn off after a certain amount of time like it's supposed to. But then the next day it just stays on, which makes me worried about burn in. I cant figure out what makes it stay on only at certain times...

**wklie** · March 28, 2023, 09:50 PM

Next time this happens, observe what input (USB / coax / toslink / AES / network) it's in, and whether the headphone is connected at that time.

**brodricj** · March 29, 2023, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I was recently reading about the N05XD and learned Lumin helped or consulted on the network end of the unit.

I'm to understand the hardware guts of the network function of N-01/N-01XD/N-05XD/N-03T is a Lumin U1. Which is why the Lumin Sound Stream App works with the Esoteric network streamers. Esoteric bolted its own power supply to the Lumin guts plus a few other things and dropped it into their own chassis.

Now that Lumin has done a U2 hopefully it will find its way into the replacement model for N-03T. N-03T is now 5 years old and is probably close to end of life.

**tdx444** · March 29, 2023, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by wklie

Next time this happens, observe what input (USB / coax / toslink / AES / network) it's in, and whether the headphone is connected at that time.

I checked. It happens both in USB and network in (though more frequently with USB). No headphones connected, i use a separate HP amp.

**Mr Peabody** · March 29, 2023, 12:55 PM

It would be interesting if I got a N05xd how the streaming would compare to my ACS10. I'd still use the ACS10 which has all my CD's on the hard drive. Unless one was obviously better it would come down to the app.

**wklie** · March 29, 2023, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by tdx444

I checked. It happens both in USB and network in (though more frequently with USB). No headphones connected, i use a separate HP amp.

I suggest you factory reset the unit, and re-setup the DPaOFF setting, volume settings (if necessary), filters, etc. and disable the unneeded network services again.

If it still occurs, then disconnect the network while using USB, and vice-versa. See if you can further isolate the condition of triggering the issue - if this occurs only with USB, then something from the computer side is triggering it. Or if only occurs with network, then it may be one of the protocols of Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, etc.

**wklie** · March 29, 2023, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

It would be interesting if I got a N05xd how the streaming would compare to my ACS10. I'd still use the ACS10 which has all my CD's on the hard drive. Unless one was obviously better it would come down to the app.

To do this I think you'd need a computer or NAS to run the free MinimServer, (not 100% sure about the followings) and set its content directory over a network share exposed by Aurender. Or you can copy the whole library to the MinimServer to do a pure-Esoteric setup.

**tdx444** · March 29, 2023, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by wklie

I suggest you factory reset the unit, and re-setup the DPaOFF setting, volume settings (if necessary), filters, etc. and disable the unneeded network services again.

If it still occurs, then disconnect the network while using USB, and vice-versa. See if you can further isolate the condition of triggering the issue - if this occurs only with USB, then something from the computer side is triggering it. Or if only occurs with network, then it may be one of the protocols of Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect, AirPlay, etc.

Thanks I'll try that. I think something is triggering it on my source's side, since when i have an input selected ion the Esoteric it keeps "blinking" between "USB" and "ready" on the screen.

**Mr Peabody** · March 30, 2023, 10:46 AM

The ACS10 has a built-in hard drive, could I run the ACS10 USB into the N05xd DAC input, then switch from network to USB on the N05xd depending on whether I want to stream or listen to the hard drive?

I really am only interested in a DAC. From what I understand the network and preamp feature of the N05xd can be turned off.[

QUOTE=wklie;358672]To do this I think you'd need a computer or NAS to run the free MinimServer, (not 100% sure about the followings) and set its content directory over a network share exposed by Aurender. Or you can copy the whole library to the MinimServer to do a pure-Esoteric setup.[/QUOTE]

**wklie** · March 30, 2023, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

The ACS10 has a built-in hard drive, could I run the ACS10 USB into the N05xd DAC input, then switch from network to USB on the N05xd depending on whether I want to stream or listen to the hard drive?

Yes, you can switch among the different inputs (network is treated as an input).

**gadawg** · March 31, 2023, 07:05 AM

Considering the N-05XD as a headphone dac/amp later this year. Anyone compare this to the DCS Bartok? I know the DCS is more money but curious what folks think between the two?

George

**Bones13** · March 31, 2023, 10:46 PM

DCS Bartok does not have analog inputs - ruled it out for me, I need an input for the Turntable.

N-05XD vs. Boulder 812 vs separates...

**kzhtoo** · April 2, 2023, 12:59 AM

One advantage about N-05XD is its master clock input. If you think N-05XD sounds good without a master clock, wait until you listen it with either Cybershaft master clock or Mutec master clock.

**brodricj** · April 2, 2023, 02:14 AM

...or Esoteric master clock. But you must use a good clock cable such as Shunyata Sigma Clock-50 to yield results.

**Mr Peabody** · April 2, 2023, 06:43 PM

Anyone ever compare the N05xd preamp section to anything?

**tdx444** · April 3, 2023, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Anyone ever compare the N05xd preamp section to anything?

I have not compared to another preamp. However I have extensively tested the preamp function vs no preamp (passthrough) to my very resolving HP amp (Riviera AIC10) and I can say for sure there is zero difference in SQ. So the preamp in that sense works extremely well.

**wklie** · April 4, 2023, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

From what I understand the network and preamp feature of the N05xd can be turned off

One more thing. I don't think your current setup is Roon Ready. N-05XD is - in case you want to try Roon some day.

**tdx444** · April 21, 2023, 07:44 AM

Another question for this DAC's owners: I'm thinking of upgrading my chain around it to make it sound even better. For approximately the same budget, I have two options:
- add a really good master clock like the Mutec REF10 120 or the TOTL Cybershaft unit. I could use these to clock my Uptone Etherregen which should help too.
- Or, I could get a Grimm MU1 and send the data to the N-05XD directly via AES. I've read that the Grimm doesnt need a master clock and can sound even better than one.

Which one would you go with? Thanks

**brodricj** · April 21, 2023, 08:05 AM

Neither. Buy a G-02X and a Shunyata clock cable.

**wklie** · April 21, 2023, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by tdx444

- Or, I could get a Grimm MU1 and send the data to the N-05XD directly via AES. I've read that the Grimm doesnt need a master clock and can sound even better than one.

This prevents playback of DSD128 or above, or PCM 352.8kHz.

**tdx444** · April 21, 2023, 09:58 AM

ok thanks for the tips. I'll see if I can get a G-02X, although that may be above my budget for now.

**thyname** · April 21, 2023, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by tdx444

ok thanks for the tips. I'll see if I can get a G-02X, although that may be above my budget for now.

I think the Esoteric G-01X and G-02X master clocks are discontinued

**brodricj** · April 22, 2023, 08:03 AM

They are discontinued. Buy G-02X now whilst dealers have stock. Sometimes they appear on used market, especially when the replacement model is released.

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