Esoteric N-05XD Streaming Pre-Amplifier + DAC

Esoteric N-05XD Streaming Pre-Amplifier + DAC

Name: Esoteric N-05XD Streaming Pre-Amplifier + DAC
Brand: Esoteric
SKU: ESOTERIC-N05XD-SIL
Price: 15000.00 NZD
Availability: InStock

$15,000.00

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A new frontier in network DAC/preamps

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.

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Digital Audio Inputs

RCA Connectors: 2 pairs (L /R)
Input Level: 0.5Vp-p
Input Impedance: 110
Input Signal Formats: 32 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit, Linear PCM (IEC 60958), DSD (DoP)
Optical Digital Connector: 2
Input Level: −24.0 to – 14.5dBm (peak)
Input Signal Formats: 32 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit, Linear PCM (IEC 60958), DSD (DoP)
USB Port: 1 (Type B)
Input Signal Formats: 44.1 – 384kHz, 16 – 32-bit, Linear PCM, 2.8/5.6/11.2MHz DSD
Ethernet Port: 1000BASE-T
Input Signal Formats: 44.1 – 384kHz, 16 – 32-bit
Linear PCM
2.8/5.6MHz DSD

Supported File Formats

DSD Lossless: DSF, DSDIFF (DFF), DoP
PCM Lossless: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF
Compressed Audio: MP3, AAC (m4a container)
USB Storage Device Port: FAT32; USB 2.0 or faster recommended

Digital Audio Output

RCA Connectors: 1
Output Level: 0.5Vp-p (into 75 load)
Output Impedance: 75
Output Signal Formats: 44.1 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit
Linear PCM (IEC 60958 format), DSD (DoP format)

Clock Sync Input

BNC Connectors: 1
Input Frequencies (±15 ppm): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz, 10, 22.5792, 24.576MHz
Input Impedance: 75
Input Level: Rectangle wave: TTL level equivalent, Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0Vrms (50 – 75)

Clock Sync Output

BNC Connectors: 1
Output Level: TTL level equivalent (into 75)
Output Frequencies: 44.1, 88.2, 176.4, 48, 96, 192kHz, 22.5792, 24.576MHz
Equivalent to input frequency (at through output)

Analog Audio Outputs

XLR Connectors: 1 pair (L /R)
RCA Connectors: 1 pair (L /R)
Output Impedance: XLR: 20, RCA: 20
Maximum Output Level (at 1kHz, 10k load): XLR: 5.0Vrms, RCA: 2.5Vrms
Frequency Response (192kHz PCM): 5Hz – 70kHz (−3dB)
S/N Ratio: 117dB
Distortion:0.0007% (1 kHz)

General

AC Power Supply: 230V, 50Hz / 120V, 60Hz / 220V, 60Hz
Power Consumption: 18W
External Dimensions (W × H × D, including protrusions): 445 × 107 × 356mm
Weight: 11kg
Included Accessories
Power cord × 1
Owner’s manual × 1
Warranty card × 1

Specifications

Digital Audio Inputs

RCA Connectors: 2 pairs (L /R)
Input Level: 0.5Vp-p
Input Impedance: 110
Input Signal Formats: 32 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit, Linear PCM (IEC 60958), DSD (DoP)
Optical Digital Connector: 2
Input Level: −24.0 to – 14.5dBm (peak)
Input Signal Formats: 32 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit, Linear PCM (IEC 60958), DSD (DoP)
USB Port: 1 (Type B)
Input Signal Formats: 44.1 – 384kHz, 16 – 32-bit, Linear PCM, 2.8/5.6/11.2MHz DSD
Ethernet Port: 1000BASE-T
Input Signal Formats: 44.1 – 384kHz, 16 – 32-bit
Linear PCM
2.8/5.6MHz DSD

Supported File Formats

DSD Lossless: DSF, DSDIFF (DFF), DoP
PCM Lossless: FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF
Compressed Audio: MP3, AAC (m4a container)
USB Storage Device Port: FAT32; USB 2.0 or faster recommended

Digital Audio Output

RCA Connectors: 1
Output Level: 0.5Vp-p (into 75 load)
Output Impedance: 75
Output Signal Formats: 44.1 – 192kHz, 16 – 24-bit
Linear PCM (IEC 60958 format), DSD (DoP format)

Clock Sync Input

BNC Connectors: 1
Input Frequencies (±15 ppm): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz, 10, 22.5792, 24.576MHz
Input Impedance: 75
Input Level: Rectangle wave: TTL level equivalent, Sine wave: 0.5 to 1.0Vrms (50 – 75)

Clock Sync Output

BNC Connectors: 1
Output Level: TTL level equivalent (into 75)
Output Frequencies: 44.1, 88.2, 176.4, 48, 96, 192kHz, 22.5792, 24.576MHz
Equivalent to input frequency (at through output)

Analog Audio Outputs

XLR Connectors: 1 pair (L /R)
RCA Connectors: 1 pair (L /R)
Output Impedance: XLR: 20, RCA: 20
Maximum Output Level (at 1kHz, 10k load): XLR: 5.0Vrms, RCA: 2.5Vrms
Frequency Response (192kHz PCM): 5Hz – 70kHz (−3dB)
S/N Ratio: 117dB
Distortion:0.0007% (1 kHz)

General

AC Power Supply: 230V, 50Hz / 120V, 60Hz / 220V, 60Hz
Power Consumption: 18W
External Dimensions (W × H × D, including protrusions): 445 × 107 × 356mm
Weight: 11kg
Included Accessories
Power cord × 1
Owner’s manual × 1
Warranty card × 1

I found enhanced clarity, separation, stage height, and depth, as well as delicacy.

Enjoy the Music

Faithful music reproduction

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.

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.

After all, the highlight of the N-05XD is still its Master Discrete DAC. The forte of the DAC is its massive stage size and the natural sound of the instrumental textures and tonality. It is so good that it managed to alter the genres of music that I normally listen to, as I seldom listen to classical or live recordings. Esoteric's corporate philosophy has been the reproduction of the original sound performed by musicians in a studio or concert hall, and the N-05XD really delivers it.