*NEW* Esoteric N-05XD

[Mr Peabody]

Wow, so the streamer and preamp sections are not used? A costly DAC.

I would certainly want to use all 3 elements - streamer, DAC and preamp - and would need the package to perform exceptionally well. I am using the NAD M66 at present, but it's not sound quality that's letting it down, but features that were present in my M33 that have mysteriously vanished from the further up-market M66. Why NAD are doing this is annoying to the extent I'm considering jumping ship to another brand.

The problem is finding a very good sound from a unit that offers the features I'm looking for. Perhaps the forthcoming NAD M33 V2 will be an overal improvement over the already exceptional M33 V1 that I still have. The V2 has an even better DAC than the one in V1 or M66 - the ESS Sabre ES9039PRO. I'm familiar and like the BluOS control app, particularly as it's available on all 4 main platforms, so no need for Roon.

Does the Aurender ACS10 also play CDs as well as ripping them? A while ago, I was looking for a single unit that would play or rip CDs and store FLAC files on internal twin 4 TB drives with streamer included too. Rare as hen's teeth, but I found this in the NAD M50.2. Now my collection of 1500 or so CDs are ripped and I have a streamer in the M66 (and M33), the M50.2 is now rather redundent and for sale. My music library is now held on a portable SSD drive connected to the M33 or M66 via USB and it works perfectly.

The ACS10 will not play CD's just rip. That is one cool feature of the 50.2.

Maybe this warrants a new thread. My opinion multi function units have a primary function or strength. My 526 is primarily a preamp, the N05xd primarily a DAC, etc. Not to say the N05xd isn't good in the other areas I just feel the DAC is primary. I wonder if there are units out there that are equally as good in all their, functions.

I was hoping the N05xd preamp would be close enough I could sell the 526. That isn't the case. Keep in mind the 526 is twice the money. However, the n05xd DAC is at least twice as much DAC as the one built-in to the 526. If I'm not mistaken I don't think MSB has a preamp I assume their digital playback functions as a very good preamp for them not to see a need.

I think you are fighting windmills waiting to stream with a remote. The industry doesn't seem to embrace your approach. An ap would be so much more cost effective.

 

[Hear Here]

So what features are you looking for? Just about everything out there now runs at least Spotify Connect and Qobuz Connect and sounds OK.

I'd like to see what's playing without having to power up a PC or fiddle around with a phone.

I like to power up my system with a single press of a button and start music playing (from a radio station, or Radio Paradise, or a Qobuz play queue, etc) using only the front panel screen, or the IR remote.

I wouldn't want to have 2 or more apps running to control music source, volume, etc. BluOS allows everything to be controlled from its app and this can be on Windows, or OS X, or iOS, or Android.

I don't want analogue sources, but very few streamer preamps offer digital only.

I wouldn't want to have to switch apps if I move from say Qobuz to Spotify for example

I don't believe the cable that improves sound has been invented (it never will be), so I like to rid my system of all cables apart from ones to be speaker - ideally! That's why I prefer all-in-ones, or certainly units that do more than a single job.

 

[Hear Here]

I think you are fighting windmills waiting to stream with a remote. The industry doesn't seem to embrace your approach. An ap would be so much more cost effective.

Not looking for that, but I do like to be able to start my system and play music from a number of sources (as described above) without having to fart around with an app!

 

[Mr Peabody]

I'd like to see what's playing without having to power up a PC or fiddle around with a phone.

I like to power up my system with a single press of a button and start music playing (from a radio station, or Radio Paradise, or a Qobuz play queue, etc) using only the front panel screen, or the IR remote.

I wouldn't want to have 2 or more apps running to control music source, volume, etc. BluOS allows everything to be controlled from its app and this can be on Windows, or OS X, or iOS, or Android.

I don't want analogue sources, but very few streamer preamps offer digital only.

I wouldn't want to have to switch apps if I move from say Qobuz to Spotify for example

I don't believe the cable that improves sound has been invented (it never will be), so I like to rid my system of all cables apart from ones to be speaker - ideally! That's why I prefer all-in-ones, or certainly units that do more than a single job.

So although you use the Bluesound ap you don't want to use an ap any more? It really sounds like you want Roon though I realize that's an ap as well. I don't think you will find what you are looking for. You'll always need at least one ap.

 

[Hear Here]

So although you use the Bluesound ap you don't want to use an ap any more? It really sounds like you want Roon though I realize that's an ap as well. I don't think you will find what you are looking for. You'll always need at least one ap.

Yes indeed I need an app, but not more than one. I wouldn't want an app that offers a particular music vendor's music (Tidal, Qobuz, etc) if it didn't also have access to my Libratry, radio stations, Radio Paradise and my volume control. BluOS offers all that and I guess Roon too - with the help of extra hardware and a subscription!

Without any app running I can boot up my system, play any of my Presents (radio stations, playlists, TV sound, etc) and adjust volume of course. That seems to be rare amongst streamers. Yes, if I want fresh music, an app needs to be running and BluOS offers everything (apart from the "radio" feature) that Roon offers.

 

[schmidtmike76]

Does anyone who owns this piece know how to select the different filters. I've had it for a few months and read deeper this weekend as I wasn't too happy with the SQ. Well it turns out I had RAAT off, I turned RAAT on and it made a big difference in SQ. However I do have trouble following some of the directions on the guide.

Clock or not to clock any feedback about adding a clock is it worth it on this unit?

 

[Mike]

Does anyone who owns this piece know how to select the different filters. I've had it for a few months and read deeper this weekend as I wasn't too happy with the SQ. Well it turns out I had RAAT off, I turned RAAT on and it made a big difference in SQ. However I do have trouble following some of the directions on the guide.

Clock or not to clock any feedback about adding a clock is it worth it on this unit?

Clock is well worth it. Manual discusses filters.

 

[Mr Peabody]

hDoes anyone who owns this piece know how to select the different filters. I've had it for a few months and read deeper this weekend as I wasn't too happy with the SQ. Well it turns out I had RAAT off, I turned RAAT on and it made a big difference in SQ. However I do have trouble following some of the directions on the guide.

Clock or not to clock any feedback about adding a clock is it worth it on this unit?

The guide can be a bit confusing. Best to get familiar with the menu, that's where you change the filter.

I'm a blind user here's what I do. Using your eyes this should be easy. On the remote, the side opposite the preamp buttons, hold down the "menu" button for a couple seconds, it should take you right to the filters if held down long enough. Use the two buttons beside the menu button to toggle your choice.

Clock: Conflicting information, I don't think anyone really understands clocks. Here's what I've been able to put together on the N05xd.

1. No clock if using USB input, it doesn't do anything.

2. No clock if your only component with clock input is the N05xd. Again, said to not do much if anything.

A clock is only useful if you have more than one component with the clock input then the clock syncs those components for better performance.

After buying my N05xd a clock was my next step, however, after trying to get a grasp on whether to or not it became apparent no one either knows about clocks or unable to convey factual information. There's one guy here on the forum that seems to know, some, I forgot his handle, he's from Austrailia. Brodricj is who I am referring to.

How long have you had your N05xd? The unit takes a very long time to break in. I nearly sent mine back. The sound will change from the way it sounds just out of the box. I would call it a dramatic change. Out of the box its not terrible, a filter helped I just wasn't satisfied. I forget now how many hours I put on it but the unit finally began to change for the better.

 

[brodricj]

A clock is only useful if you have more than one component with the clock input then the clock syncs those components for better performance.

Correct. CLK>*** is a per input setting. Set this to OFF when connected to a source device, other than
NET or USB input, that does not support clock synchronization. When USB or NET is selected as the input you can't even set CLK>*** to ON, you don't have that option.

 

[schmidtmike76]

You guys are truly amazing. I figured out the filters from the remote….not sure yet but ears say off for now. And thank you for the clock schooling as I only use Roon from net in of course. If I’m understanding that correctly the external clock is of no use with the net function in only and no other components being used.

 

[brodricj]

..If I’m understanding that correctly the external clock is of no use with the net function in only and no other components being used.

Right...NET data arrives as packets that get stitched together in the correct order in the network engine module. Or however. Whatever. Point being there is no data that benefits with synchronization when using this transmission method.