*NEW* Esoteric N-05XD

[musicman1]

Thanks for your opinions, guys. I'm hoping to learn more about the product next week at Axpona. Also, I spoke to an authorized Esoteric dealer and he has offered to give me a loan of the N-05XD and try it out. The one thing that is disappointing for me is the lack of reviews on this. I found one from Australia but that's about it. Also I can't find any internal pictures at all.

 

[dznutz]

Thanks for your opinions, guys. I'm hoping to learn more about the product next week at Axpona. Also, I spoke to an authorized Esoteric dealer and he has offered to give me a loan of the N-05XD and try it out. The one thing that is disappointing for me is the lack of reviews on this. I found one from Australia but that's about it. Also I can't find any internal pictures at all.

Because theyre selling all on their own, no need to pay for any reviews. Theres also no internal photos as Im sure the case is practically empty.

When you get the loaner unit, pop the top and take some photos.

 

[musicman1]

Because theyre selling all on their own, no need to pay for any reviews. There's also no internal photos as I'm sure the case is practically empty.

When you get the loaner unit, pop the top and take some photos.

Thats not very encouraging! Is this why you are selling your X1? While sound is the ultimate test, this is precisely why I always like to see internal shots of the case. I want to see what I'm paying for especially at this price point.

 

[dznutz]

Thats not very encouraging! Is this why you are selling your X1? While sound is the ultimate test, this is precisely why I always like to see internal shots of the case. I want to see what I'm paying for especially at this price point.

Because I made a “tongue in cheek” comment about offering my X1? No, I am not currently seeking a sale. Its a great device, in my hands-on experience the best at its pricepoint compared to others. Now, keep in mind that I spend more on this hobby in a month than 99% do in a year. So theres only so much gear that I can have on hand at any given time… Im not going to have $200k sitting in a corner for a year.

But perhaps spend less time talking on a forum and buy it. Crack it open and then tell us all about it with photos and your experience with it and if YOU recommend it to others and why.

 

[mantis007]

Check out the internal pics of the Teac UD-701 which is the baby brother of the 05xd. Definitely packed. I have both but haven’t opened either.

Tony

 

[musicman1]

Check out the internal pics of the Teac UD-701 which is the baby brother of the 05xd. Definitely packed. I have both but haven’t opened either.

Tony

Thanks for this information Tony. I wonder how close the internals are to both DAC/STREAMERS. I'm very interested to hear your opinions on both units. I'd be curious to know if the N-05XD is deserving of the $11K price tag compared to the 4K price of the UD-701. The N-05XD obviously has much nicer case work but in the end the features/Specs of the UD-701 are very good. The reviews are also very good with the exception of a clunky streaming interface.

 

[Jack]

Unless something has changed with the newer models both the UD-701 and the N-05XD are based on the Lumin streaming architecture and use a version of the Lumin app.

 

[GSOphile]

I think Esoteric subcontracted some of the their software/firmware to Lumin, but there are some notable differences, e.g., the N-01XD and N-05XD are both roon ready.

 

[musicman1]

The Teac UD-701N is also Roon Ready.

 

[audio.bill]

I think Esoteric subcontracted some of the their software/firmware to Lumin, but there are some notable differences, e.g., the N-01XD and N-05XD are both roon ready.

Just for the record Lumins are also Roon Ready.

 

[GSOphile]

Just for the record Lumins are also Roon Ready.

Yup, you're right. I was confusing them with Aurender. Thanks for the catch.

 

[mantis007]

@musicman1- The 05 doesn’t even have 100hrs on it but I will post something after it gets a few hundred more. I found a pic/review of the 05 and it looks very different than the 701 inside:

audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/odtwarzacze-sieciowe/3473-n-05xd

I can say, the the 701 is very good and to my ears as enjoyable as the Bricasti M3 which I actually liked better than the M1SE. The streaming interface isn’t too bad IMO once you get used to it - certainly not as slick as Roon though. Both DACS are really convenient as you can plug in a USB stick with your favorite music and use the Esoteric or Lumin app to play music or any DLNA software - no server needed.

 

[musicman1]

@musicman1- The 05 doesn’t even have 100hrs on it but I will post something after it gets a few hundred more. I found a pic/review of the 05 and it looks very different than the 701 inside:

audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/odtwarzacze-sieciowe/3473-n-05xd

I can say, the the 701 is very good and to my ears as enjoyable as the Bricasti M3 which I actually liked better than the M1SE. The streaming interface isn’t too bad IMO once you get used to it - certainly not as slick as Roon though. Both DACS are really convenient as you can plug in a USB stick with your favorite music and use the Esoteric or Lumin app to play music or any DLNA software - no server needed.

Thanks for the reply and posting that link. That is very helpful. How would you compare the two units especially sound wise? One thing that surprises me is how bad the wire management is in the 05. The Teac isn't much better.

 

[dznutz]

Ya, the inside of that thing looks like a disaster. Good job finding a photo!

 

[Devg]

@musicman1- The 05 doesn’t even have 100hrs on it but I will post something after it gets a few hundred more. I found a pic/review of the 05 and it looks very different than the 701 inside:

audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/odtwarzacze-sieciowe/3473-n-05xd

I can say, the the 701 is very good and to my ears as enjoyable as the Bricasti M3 which I actually liked better than the M1SE. The streaming interface isn’t too bad IMO once you get used to it - certainly not as slick as Roon though. Both DACS are really convenient as you can plug in a USB stick with your favorite music and use the Esoteric or Lumin app to play music or any DLNA software - no server needed.

Ya, the inside of that thing looks like a disaster. Good job finding a photo!

I agree. Looks like wires flying everywhere but I guess it all about how it sounds in the end. Surely the internals are not inspiring to the least.

Even a $3k Roon Ready streaming DAC, with phenomenal headphone amp, innovative VC has a very neat and tidy interiors, sounds and measures excellent.

https://article-imgs.scribdassets.com/28633cb3pc8cts7c/images/fileBX2TB4Y8.jpg

 

[Bfmcosta]

Thanks for your opinions, guys. I'm hoping to learn more about the product next week at Axpona. Also, I spoke to an authorized Esoteric dealer and he has offered to give me a loan of the N-05XD and try it out. The one thing that is disappointing for me is the lack of reviews on this. I found one from Australia but that's about it. Also I can't find any internal pictures at all.

Actually, there are plenty of pictures online. And also some reviews. (unfortunately, Audioshark does not allow me to post links before I reach 10 posts. But you can search for reviews from "Haute Fidelite" (French) and hifi.nl (Dutch), and pictures from soundcore.kr)

Regarding your original question, I moved from a separate Lumin U1 mini plus a separate Nuprime Evolution DAC to the Esoteric N05XD, after a home-demo. It was simply incomparable in this case. The fact that even a USB cable connecting the streamer + dac has a significant effect on sound quality/signature, not to mention the different power supplies and power cables in the streamer and dac, made me realize that sometimes, less is more.

 

[kzhtoo]

Regarding your original question, I moved from a separate Lumin U1 mini plus a separate Nuprime Evolution DAC to the Esoteric N05XD, after a home-demo. It was simply incomparable in this case. The fact that even a USB cable connecting the streamer + dac has a significant effect on sound quality/signature, not to mention the different power supplies and power cables in the streamer and dac, made me realize that sometimes, less is more.

Yep. One box solution has its own advantage and it’s really not insignificant. And I’ve never heard from anyone who has actually heard N-05XD said it sucks.

 

[Bfmcosta]

Yep. One box solution has its own advantage and it’s really not insignificant. And I’ve never heard from anyone who has actually heard N-05XD said it sucks.

Exactly. A friend of mine was auditioning at his home several DACs around 40-50k, "served" by a Taiko Extreme server, and preferred the N05XD as a DAC (even if in his case, paired with the Taiko, which he needed to keep).

 

[Bfmcosta]

Luxman MAIN IN (for connection to a separate preamp) is RCA only, and you need to turn on SEPARATE function to use this connection.

Since it's RCA only, from a connection standpoint I think you're better off using the N-05XD line out L_VOL as FIX and use the Luxman to control the volume.

Or, you may do an A/B comparison of N-05XD preamp with RCA output vs the N-05XD FIX XLR output to Luxman integrated preamp. Be careful with volume settings before starting any music playback.

@wklie, after updating the various firmwares on my N05xD (USB, NET module, I/F, etc), I cannot detect it with general UPnP-based apps (e.g., BubbleUPnP) from my iPad. Strangely, the official Esoteric Sound Stream app also does not detect it in my Android phone (but works fine on my iPad). I already tried the "usual" troubleshooting approaches (e.g., restart the entire newtwork from the router up to the Esoteric N05xd and android + iOs control devices; uninstall the apps and fresh reinstall; etc), with no success. Do you have any idea why this may be happening?

 

[Jeanfi]

Hello all,
First, let me apologize for my English, it is not my native language.

I have a Michi P5 with a S5 amplifier, a pair of B&W 802D3 and wanted to upgrade my dac. After some extensive testing, I came to the conclusion that a dac with a variable volume was the way to go in my system. Doing so with the Lumin dacs, bypassing the P5 preamp, sounded so much better, with more details, more air. Auralic Altair and Vega 2.1 did not impressed me so much as far as only pure sound is considered. The Lumin T2 was so much better with its leedh control.
Then I had a chance to listen to a Meitner MA3 on my system, directly to the power amp and it was even better. The Meitner was the best sounding DAC I ever heard on my system. Problem was that there is no analogic input for my Home Cinema and turntable... so I listened to a Lumin P1 and even the sound was nice, better than the T2, the Meitner MA3 was still superior in every way. Sound is what matters, so I thought I will go with the MA3. Too bad for the home cinema and turntable.
Then I heard about the Esoteric N05 XD that seems to have it all : streamer, roon compatible, 2 analogic inputs, an analogic variable volume, headphone amp and build like a tank (Meitner is a joke on this chapter) but the N05 XD costs must more than all the other dacs I had a chance to try.
I was about to pull the trigger on the MA3 when i was proposed an used N05 XD (3 month old) at roughly the same price as the brand new Meitner.
So now, all this chat to tell that I sold my Michi P5, my streamer and I will receive my N05 XD next week, without even having a chance to listen to it... (yes, breaking rule number one). I am impatient and at the same time a little afraid that it won't please me as much as the Meitner. Well I coul not resist.
So stay tuned, I will tell you how it went with this N05 XD