Esoteric migrating off of AKM Dac chips for flagship D1X?

N-01 question -

I'm looking to replace my laptop streaming tidal and using Foobar music player for my 7 TB of FLAC/WAV on HDD USB to my K-01X with the N-01. I'm looking to not have to buy a dedicated server like Innous Statement or the Aurrender W-20.

Will the N-01 Esoteric app play my HDD of Hi Rez files direct connected to it's USB HDD input?

Can Roon reside on my tablet I use for the remote control and see the N01?

Based on previous posts, I should assume my K-01x can't output SACD to the N-01, so I will need to keep the K-01X direct to my preamp for SACD?

thanks all for input.
 
AKM Factory Fire—A Pro-Audio Industry Disaster
A 82-hour fire in AKM's semiconductor factory is already hurting numerous top pro-audio manufacturers around the globe.

BY CLIVE YOUNG ⋅
PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 29, 2020

AKMNobeoka City, Japan (October 29, 2020)—In the wake of a massive three-day fire at the Nobeoka City factory of semiconductor producer Asahi Kasei Microsystems (AKM), pro-audio manufacturers around the globe are now facing anticipated shortages of crucial DAC and ADC chips used in their products. “It’s probably the most disruptive event in my 40 years of audio industry experience,” said John La Grou, CEO of Millennia Media. “Devastating is not too strong a word. Can 2020 get any worse?”

Millennia is just one of many high-end pro-audio companies with major products designed around AKM chips; others include Solid State Logic, TASCAM, miniDSP, Merging Technologies, SPL of Germany and RME, to name only a few.

The AKM fire broke out at the semiconductor manufacturing plant on Tuesday, October 20, and took three days to put out. While no one was hurt, reportedly 400 employees were evacuated when it began. Parts of the building structure, including sections of walls and the roof, collapsed on October 22 after another fire broke out on the factory’s fifth floor. Throughout the blaze, a chemical odor emanated from the building, thought to be hydrogen chloride generated by the coatings of electrical cables on fire.

Can't post link. Do search "AKM fire".

No problems for users who have migrated away from AKM chip.
 
Yes, I saw this article last week when it came out. Good thing Esoteric has migrated away from the AKM DACs. Excellent timing on their part.

Ken
 
I'm in the process of ordering D1X. My dealer says June and July production units are all pre-sold. Place a deposit today and might get a slot on the August production for late August delivery. I'm surprised if the demand is that great that we haven't seen more product reviews in the usual places. I haven't seen a single review in an English language publication since it was released over 3 years ago. And only one owner review on YT that I've seen.

You'd think if history is any indicator the D1X/P1X models would be mid-life by now. For sure within a week of confirming my order Esoteric is bound to announce something new. Just like when I ordered P1 the P1X was announced the following week.
 
I'm in the process of ordering D1X. My dealer says June and July production units are all pre-sold. Place a deposit today and might get a slot on the August production for late August delivery. I'm surprised if the demand is that great that we haven't seen more product reviews in the usual places. I haven't seen a single review in an English language publication since it was released over 3 years ago. And only one owner review on YT that I've seen.

You'd think if history is any indicator the D1X/P1X models would be mid-life by now. For sure within a week of confirming my order Esoteric is bound to announce something new. Just like when I ordered P1 the P1X was announced the following week.

Congratulations! I've been very happy with my Esoteric N01-XD. I imagine the D1X has got to be a phenomenal DAC. Look forward to your comments. :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:
 
I'm in the process of ordering D1X. My dealer says June and July production units are all pre-sold. Place a deposit today and might get a slot on the August production for late August delivery. I'm surprised if the demand is that great that we haven't seen more product reviews in the usual places. I haven't seen a single review in an English language publication since it was released over 3 years ago. And only one owner review on YT that I've seen.

You'd think if history is any indicator the D1X/P1X models would be mid-life by now. For sure within a week of confirming my order Esoteric is bound to announce something new. Just like when I ordered P1 the P1X was announced the following week.


It is significantly better sounding than the original D1. Try it also with a top of the line streamer.

Gerald
 
I'm planning on AppleTV > D1X as a Spotify Connect device. I have no other streaming requirement.
D1 is still very rare to find on the used market. For $10K it's an appealing option. Unless you have 5x that to spend on its replacement model.
Crystal ball says D1X delivery late August.
 
I'm planning on AppleTV > D1X as a Spotify Connect device. I have no other streaming requirement.
D1 is still very rare to find on the used market. For $10K it's an appealing option. Unless you have 5x that to spend on its replacement model.
Crystal ball says D1X delivery late August.

An Apple TV?


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Yep. The Spotify App runs on AppleTV. AppleTV has optical out, right? I'm not sure, I haven't checked, but if it does that's the plan. If I can sell N-01. It's on eBay now, just got an offer of $500 for it. Yeah, nah....troll.
 
I just checked the AppleTV. No optical out. That's a surprise. Bugger. Plan B = old MacBook Air via USB to D1X for Spotify.
 
Invest in an iFi Zen Stream for $399. It runs Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect and you'll have your choice of USB or Coax. In addition the iFi software includes about a dozen FLAC radio stations including ones from BBC, Linn, Naim and Radio Paradise.
 
Does iFi Zen only support Spotify Connect with Premium subscription, or will it work with the free subscription?
 
It will work I suppose with whatever levels the Connect app supports. I bought one just for fun to see how it sounded compared to an older Aries Mini I was using in the Family Room system that is mostly for Internet Radio. The fact that I was able to use the LPS I already owned for the Aries was a bonus. I bought it from a place that allows a 60 day return in case it didn't work out but it is a definite step up in sound quality for the radio part and if I want to use Qobuz or Tidal I can just use mConnect which we are both familiar with. I don't have a Spotify subscription anymore so can't really test it.
 
Does iFi Zen only support Spotify Connect with Premium subscription, or will it work with the free subscription?

Are you able to get Qobuz or Tidal?

Spotify is mp3 level.

A DAC at the level of D1X deserves high res and a proper network transport like the Antipodes K50 which should be easy for you to get since its from Australia.

GIGO is alive and well in digital audio. In managing the same dollars, an N-01XD + G1X might be worth considering or K-01XD + G1X. The thinking here is that playing CD/SACD’s could provide a base line for whatever server you decide on.

But what is feeding the DAC (high res source material, the software of the streamer, the streamer itself, etc) is as important as the DAC.


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A DAC at the level of D1X deserves high res and a proper network transport like the Antipodes K50 which should be easy for you to get since its from Australia.

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Its Actually from New Zealand:rolleyes:-- You Canadians always get that Mixed up:lol:

Sorry

Bruce
 
But what is feeding the DAC...

For me it's CD's and a few SACD's. Spotify caused me to buy a lot of CD's which I still haven't got around to listening too yet. But without a Premium subscription any more I can't cast to the N-01.
 
Its Actually from New Zealand:rolleyes:-- You Canadians always get that Mixed up:lol:

Sorry

Bruce

Don't be sorry- I got a laugh - though given Mikes location is much closer to Mexico than Canada - perhaps "You Mexicans always get that Mixed up"...

LOL. My bad. Well, it’s close(r) to Australia than say buying a HK product or otherwise.

New Zealand is one place I would love to visit.


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