Product Description
The forthcoming Esoteric N-01XE packs a network player and DAC into one solid box that houses trickle down tech from the company’s flagship Grandioso N1.
That tech is Esoteric’s “Master Sound Discrete DAC G2,” a proprietary FPGA-based multi-level D-A converter, and the “4th-Generation Esoteric Network Engine G4” which adds an optical network connection to the mix. The N-01XE supports native DSD512 playback and up to and 768 kHz PCM. (!)
The N-01XE’s is a true dual mono design. From Esoteric:
Although the N-01XE is a stereo unit, its built-in DAC employs a fully dual-mono configuration with independent power transformers for the left and right channels. It features a large-scale design incorporating a total of five independent power transformers: one each for the left and right DACs, the network engine, digital circuits and the microcontroller. Supplying each circuit with its own robust linear power source contributes to a smooth, natural, and remarkably analog-like sound.
On the Network Player side, the N-01XE supports Tidal and Qobuz Connect, Spotify, and Roon Ready is in the works.
Connectivity includes all of the usual suspects—USB, AES, Optical, Coax, and Ethernet inputs, and RCA and XLR out—while adding the aforementioned SFP fiber input as well as Esoteric’s own ESL-A outputs to connect to other Esoteric gear.
