*NEW* Esoteric N-05XD

Mike was going to send this unit to me before he unboxed it. Only held back after realizing I ordered a black unit. That was all without me saying anything. You won’t find a better dealer, guys.
 
Mike was going to send this unit to me before he unboxed it. Only held back after realizing I ordered a black unit. That was all without me saying anything. You won’t find a better dealer, guys.

Wonder why Esoteric makes this unit in black but not the N-01XD?
 
Taking into account the significant price difference ($11k vs. $20k), does anyone have thoughts on how close the N-05 XD and the N-01 XD are from a digital streaming standpoint?
 
We have both. The N-01XD is definitely better in many respects. It has more layering of information and a bigger more authoritative sound. HOWEVER, if you hook up the N-05XD and never A:B, you will be over the moon happy with its sound and feature set. They are aimed at different buyers, but clearly people will want to compare. Obviously, if you can go N-01XD and add a preamp, that’s the way to go.


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What’s the latest on this baby?

We are using it a lot. We love the sound. Definitely cut from the same cloth as it’s big brother. Musical. Big sound. Great features. Has worked flawlessly with all amps and speakers. This is definitely one of those products that beautifully solves a lot of problems in a single box.


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We have both. The N-01XD is definitely better in many respects. It has more layering of information and a bigger more authoritative sound. HOWEVER, if you hook up the N-05XD and never A:B, you will be over the moon happy with its sound and feature set. They are aimed at different buyers, but clearly people will want to compare. Obviously, if you can go N-01XD and add a preamp, that’s the way to go.


Hi Mike, I'd like to ask for your opinion. I currently own a N-01 and hooked up via Esla to a F-03a. Do you think its worthwhile for me to get the N-05xd to replace the N-01? I'm considering this because of the new chip/sound as well as the headphone amp. Looking forward to your thoughts and thanks in advance
 
We have both. The N-01XD is definitely better in many respects. It has more layering of information and a bigger more authoritative sound. HOWEVER, if you hook up the N-05XD and never A:B, you will be over the moon happy with its sound and feature set. They are aimed at different buyers, but clearly people will want to compare. Obviously, if you can go N-01XD and add a preamp, that’s the way to go.


Hi Mike, I'd like to ask for your opinion. I currently own a N-01 and hooked up via Esla to a F-03a. Do you think its worthwhile for me to get the N-05xd to replace the N-01? I'm considering this because of the new chip/sound as well as the headphone amp. Looking forward to your thoughts and thanks in advance

Yes, I do.


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N-01 is a tough sell in the current market. I've had very little interest in mine.

A good thread would be used digital. We rarely take **discontinued** digital on trade now. There’s a few gems out there like the Luxman D-08u, but those gems are few and far between. The Master Discrete (XD series and X in Grandioso) is such a big leap forward in technology and sonics, it makes the previous series quite undesirable I’m afraid.


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... a quick look at the local used market shows that I'll likely lose about half my purchase price

There is an N-01 on eBay now. The owner wants 12,000 Euro for it. I think he's dreaming, but good luck to him. I was just offered $12,000 AUD for mine ($24,000 RRP here) but turned it down. I don't see the logic in flipping my N-01 for $12,000 and replacing it with N-03T for $13,000. Might as well keep N-01 until a better offer comes along.
 
There is an N-01 on eBay now. The owner wants 12,000 Euro for it. I think he's dreaming, but good luck to him. I was just offered $12,000 AUD for mine ($24,000 RRP here) but turned it down. I don't see the logic in flipping my N-01 for $12,000 and replacing it with N-03T for $13,000. Might as well keep N-01 until a better offer comes along.

I'll jump on the offer!! I can only sell it for less then AUD10k based on today's exchange rates over here :(
 
My experience with Chinese (not just audiophiles) they prefer to buy stuff new. Whether that be cars, helicopters, or network streamers. So it's difficult to sell used stuff in that market when the overwhelming cultural motivation is to buy new stuff.
 
I have a N-05XD at home right now for a demo. I've owned an original Lumin A1 for as long as they've been out. Mike keeps telling me that digital has made some strides since then. We will see.....
 
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