*NEW* Esoteric N-05XD
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Hi, I’m new but this thread intrigued me. I might be the odd one out here… I had an N-05XD on loan for a month but it had to go back as the sound was lifeless, it just did not engage me, and I really really wanted it to. The idea of the one box was just what I was after as long as I wasn’t making a massive compromise. Unfortunately I’m this case it was. Out of the box it’s sound was lifeless and over the time I had it and put three weeks of continuous playing on it nothing changed…
I went back to my Aries server and DCS Debussy DAC and the life returned. I then tried a Weiss DAC502 which is a similar one box item, though not as user friendly. WOW! Especially with the Aries as server the sound is so real, it just sounds right. So much so I have one on order.
I went back to my Aries server and DCS Debussy DAC and the life returned. I then tried a Weiss DAC502 which is a similar one box item, though not as user friendly. WOW! Especially with the Aries as server the sound is so real, it just sounds right. So much so I have one on order.
kzhtoo
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 1,615
Hi, welcome to the forum.
I’m afraid I have complete opposite experience. N-05XD is on par or slightly surpasses MSB Discrete in my system, without a master clock. At that point, I’d say it’s more about personal preference and I love both DACs. However, once a Cybershaft master clock introduced to N-05XD, I preferred this set up by several folds.
Please also note that Discrete has a word clock input but I never tried.
I also had dCS Debussy for about 2 months before I got Discrete and I couldn’t wait to get rid of it.
Edit:
It’s also interesting to learn you didn’t notice any change with 3 weeks of continuous playing. Although I don’t remember how long it took to break-in my system, I do remember the changes are not subtle for several weeks with a few ups and downs.
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See this is the thing that intrigues me most about our pastime, the reason why two people can have such different views on the same kit. Would you mind voicing what exactly it was about the voicing of the DCS Debussy that was not to your liking? It’s possible the Esoteric I had was not fully run in, but after a month with no significant improvement I couldn’t take the risk and it had to go back. Whereas the Weiss you just believe. You know you are hearing what you are supposed to hear. It’s a strange sensation not to be wondering if there should be more or less of something…
How did you play it - native app from NAS files, native app from directly connected USB drive, native app Tidal, native app Qobuz, Tidal Connect via Tidal app, Roon, as a USB DAC from a computer, etc.?
I haven't heard N-05XD, but it's price is compelling when you look at the price of its other siblings. Especially considering the feature set (headphone output, DAC/streamer and pre-amp). I don't understand the price of N-05XD, when it has the same network audio module as N-03T, but is cheaper than N-03T, despite doing a lot more.
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
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
kzhtoo
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 1,615
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.
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!
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!
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?
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
Well-known member
I was recently reading about the N05XD and learned Lumin helped or consulted on the network end of the unit.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
How does the sound of the N05XD compare to the May? What made you switch? Thanks
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Hi Stu, do you think the N05XD DAC sounds better than the Discrete?