Esoteric N-05XD N-Series Network DAC / Preamplifier

Esoteric N-05XD N-Series Network DAC / Preamplifier

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Reproducing the full sound quality of the original masters.
The N-05XD represents a new frontier in network DAC/preamps.
An integration of essences only Esoteric can achieve.
As Esoteric’s first-ever network DAC/preamp, the N-05XD was specifically designed to deliver superior sound quality from the smallest system configurations combining your favorite power amplifier, speakers, and headphones. Integrating fully balanced circuitry directly derived from Esoteric’s flagship series, the N-05XD’s network engine is equipped with a pure, dedicated linear power supply and an in-house designed discrete DAC that ensures that its preamplifier and headphone amplifier are capable of clearly reproducing the full sound of a recording’s original master.
A seamless integration of the most Esoteric-like essences, the N-05XD has been thoroughly refined under the guiding principles of ultimate sound quality. Just a touch of its volume knob clearly reveals this quality in its most exquisite form, and promises the fullest and most satisfying enjoyment of Esoteric’s pure signature sound. No longer must superior sound quality be sacrificed in the pursuit of a simplified high-end audio system.
Master Sound Discrete DAC
Faithful Reproduction of the Liveliness and Energy of Music
Esoteric’s primary goal in the creation of the N-05XD Network DAC/Preamp was to assemble a careful selection of rigorously tested discrete components into a complete circuit that could perfectly reproduce all the dynamics and energy of recorded music, something simply unattainable using ordinary integrated chips. Esoteric’s top engineering teams put their pride on the line to design and produce a quality of sound that can only be experienced by way of our Master Sound Discrete DAC.
Luxurious Materials and Powerful Current Output Capacity
The N-05XD’s Master Sound Discrete DAC is the most revolutionary two-channel stereo DAC circuit in Esoteric history, and is based on the original circuit developed for the Grandioso D1X Monoblock D/A Converter. As an extension of the D1X’s design philosophy, an abundance of luxurious materials have been invested in the construction of N-05XD’s Master Sound Discrete DAC, including 16 separate elements for each channel. Each of these 16 elements, including such key components as the clock driver, logic circuitry, capacitors and resistors, are kept fully independent in order to ensure the purest sound output with virtually no loss of musical energy.
Advanced Digital Processing Capability
The N-05XD is also equipped with Esoteric’s exclusive Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) modulator, which supports 64-bit/512Fs audio frequency sampling. To perform D/A conversion on par with its excellent DSD and PCM characteristics, separate FPGA* digital processing algorithms were developed for each step in the conversion process. This enables the N-05XD to extract the optimum sound quality from all compatible digital sources.
* FPGA: Field-Programmable Gate Array
Network Engine with Dedicated Linear Power Supply
As a source component, the N-05XD is equipped with a dedicated high-end network audio engine that supports DSD 22.5MHz playback. The key component in this design is its dedicated linear power supply. With a component configuration equivalent in scale to that of Esoteric’s top-of-the-line N-01XD, the N-05XD’s large toroidal transformers, high-capacity filter capacitors, Schottky barrier diodes, and high-end super capacitors — which feature a whopping 2,333,333μF in total capacity — and forgoing the use of any noisy switching elements, the N-05XD realizes a singularly impressive sound brimming with an analog-like sense of reality.
Esoteric Sound Stream
Esoteric Sound Stream is a streaming and network playback control app designed for use with both iOS (iPhones & iPads) and Android. Even inexperienced neophytes can operate this app with fully intuitive and stress-free ease. Additionally, Esoteric Sound Stream has been designed with a degree of refinement that smartly meets the high demands of more advanced users. Native support for such streaming services as Tidal and Qobuz ensures that anyone can easily search for and add songs to playlists from related streaming services while playing music files. Furthermore, songs can be seamlessly selected as if one’s own personal music library has been dramatically expanded.

Specs

Digital audio inputs
XLR 1
Input Level 5.0Vp-p
Input Impedance 110Ω
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 32k to 192kHz, 16bit / 24bit (AES/EBU format)
DSD 2.8MHz (ES-LINK1, ES-LINK2, DoP format)
RCA 2
Input Level 0.5Vp-p
Input Impedance 75Ω
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 32k to 192kHz, 16bit / 24bit (IEC60958 format)
DSD 2.8MHz (DoP format)
Optical 2
Input Level –24.0 to –14.5dBm peak
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 32k to 192kHz, 16bit / 24bit (IEC60958 format)
DSD 2.8MHz (DoP format)
USB 1 (USB B connector)
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 44.1k to 384kHz, 16bit / 24bit / 32bit
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz
ETHERNET 1 (1000BASE-T)
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 44.1k to 384kHz, 16bit / 24bit / 32bit (stereo)
• Only integer format file supported
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz (stereo)
Supported file formats
PCM Lossless FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC) , WAV, AIFF, MQA
DSD Lossless DSF, DSDIFF (DFF) , DoP
Compressed audio MP3, AAC (m4a container)
USB DRIVE 2 (Front, Rear)
Supported file system FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, Single partition, USB2.0 or later recommended
Maximum power supply 0.5A
Input signal formats
Linear PCM 44.1k to 384kHz, 16bit / 24bit / 32bit (stereo)
• Only integer format file supported at 32bit
DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (stereo)
Supported file formats
PCM Lossless FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC) , WAV, AIFF, MQA
DSD Lossless DSF, DSDIFF (DFF) , DoP
Compressed audio MP3, AAC (m4a container)
Analog audio inputs
XLR 1 pair (L/R)
Input Impedance 50kΩ
Maximum Input Voltage 8Vrms
RCA 1 pair (L/R)
Input Impedance 25kΩ
Maximum Input Voltage 4Vrms
Analog audio outputs
XLR/ESL-A 1 pair (L/R)
Output Impedance 220Ω
Maximum Output Level 5.0Vrms (PCM Full-scale signal input, Analog output level setting: FIX)
ESL-A PRE-OUT 1 pair (L/R)
RCA 1 pair (L/R)
Output Impedance 60Ω
Maximum Output Level 2.5Vrms (PCM Full-scale signal input, Analog output level setting: FIX)
Bluetooth® section
Version 4.0
Supported profile A2DP, AVRCP
Supported A2DP codec LDAC, LHDC, aptX™ HD audio, aptX™ audio, AAC, SBC
Headphone out section
Balanced 4-pin XLR × 1
Output Power 1500mW + 1500mW (at 32Ω load)
Compatible Impedance 16 to 600Ω
Unbalanced ¼" (6.3mm) Standard Phone jack × 1
Output Power 750mW + 750mW (at 32Ω load)
Compatible Impedance 16 to 600Ω
Clock sync section
Clock Input BNC × 1
Input frequency 10MHz (±10ppm)
Input impedance 50Ω
Input level
Rectangular wave TTL level or equivalent
Sine wave 0.5 to 1.0Vrms
External control section
RS-232C × 1
Trigger In ⅛" (3.5mm) Monaural mini jack × 1
Input level
Trigger Out ⅛" (3.5mm) Monaural mini jack × 1
Output level
General
Power
AC 120V, 60Hz
AC 220 - 240V, 50Hz
Power consumption 38W
Overall dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 131 × 377mm / 17-⅝" × 5-¼" × 14-⅞" (including protrusions)
Weight 13.8kg / 30.5 lb.
Included accessories Power cord × 1
Remote control unit (RC-1334) × 1
AA batteries × 2
Felt mats × 3
Owner's manual × 1