New N-01 top network player

[Nacho]

Originally Posted by justubes

I wonder if all systems will benefit from the dac chips lower noise. I guess lower noise means darker backgound, cleaner and clearer details which means also a maybe a touch less distortion resulting in a clearer and maybe leaner presentation over the older designs.

Very good question !!!!

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by phishphan

The K1 uses the 4497 chips. The k01x uses the 4495s, and the do2x uses the 4490.

Correct,...and the Grandioso D1s use the 4495S, not 4495 or 4497.

I remember similar consternation when Esoteric moved past the revered Burr-Brown 1704s and chose AD1955s for one part of their product line (D-03) while still having the 1704s at the heart of their statement product (D-01 and D-01VU) for quite some time. Suffice it to say there were reasons for this move that revolved around overall DAC capability and fitment for purpose. A DAC module is only 1 of 100s of parts that are brought together and optimized together through selection and design of power suppliers, use of specific op-amps, etc...that results in the overall component. I don't think that we will ever hear the direct result of the 4495S having 'worse' specs. than the 4497 does (on paper) or commensurately, we won't ever hear directly that 4497 specs out 'better' than the 4495S or 4490 as what we will hear is the overall circuit and component that Esoteric has designed around each DAC for specific reasons including focus on USB or other digital input streaming & up-sampling rates, etc... If you look carefully at the S/N ratio on the 4490, 4495S and 4497, we are dealing with some amazingly good numbers across the board; I dare say none of us could hear the difference at this level without test equipment, i.e. only with our ears. The THD+N numbers are vastly superior on the 4497 and in second place, the older 4490(!) versus the 4495 and 4495S (which Esoteric does use) however once again, it's about the performance of the overall component that really matters.

As an aside, if you look at how AKM presents their DAC line-up, they still list the 4490 as second in the line-up to the 4497 and still referred to as a flagship product; quite interesting if you ask me...

For me, specs. are important but what is most important is the overall sound quality and overall sound profile / target sound achieved. To me, these DAC choices in Esoteric products like the K1 and N-01 look to be focused on a 'smooth' sound profile and a focus on the highest input streaming behavior possible (while still providing outstanding CD/SACD playback from disc in the case of the K1) versus the D-02X, K-01X and D1s being weighted more towards a priority of best CD/SACD playback in terms of air, articulation, a balance of smoothness, etc...while still providing a high degree of focus and input bandwidth for streaming.

I mentioned before that if you look at the specs. the DACs themselves and the overall components, NONE of these can really be labelled inferior to the other and ALL are truly SOTA products. Picking any of them is a win in terms of sound quality. Which one you choose should be a balanced decision on what matters most to you. I would suggest that focusing on a line-item spec. on a DAC chip/subassembly will have one missing the boat on what really matters (all said extremely IMHO)!

[jdandy]

From information in the Esoteric N-01 online brochure it appears to be a feature laden network streamer, but compared to other network streamers the network and streaming capabilities are quite similar. Where the N-01 breaks rank with other network streamers, making it shine like a stage center spotlight and worthy of its lofty price point, is the dual mono K1 DAC's, analog output stages, and Esoteric's extreme attention to isolated power supplies. As a network streamer and leading edge DAC combination the Esoteric N-01 is quite a remarkable audio component.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Correct,...and the Grandioso D1s use the 4495S, not 4495 or 4497.

I remember similar consternation when Esoteric moved past the revered Burr-Brown 1704s and chose AD1955s for one part of their product line (D-03) while still having the 1704s at the heart of their statement product (D-01 and D-01VU) for quite some time. Suffice it to say there were reasons for this move that revolved around overall DAC capability and fitment for purpose. A DAC module is only 1 of 100s of parts that are brought together and optimized together through selection and design of power suppliers, use of specific op-amps, etc...that results in the overall component. I don't think that we will ever hear the direct result of the 4495S having 'worse' specs. than the 4497 does (on paper) or commensurately, we won't ever hear directly that 4497 specs out 'better' than the 4495S or 4490 as what we will hear is the overall circuit and component that Esoteric has designed around each DAC for specific reasons including focus on USB or other digital input streaming & up-sampling rates, etc... If you look carefully at the S/N ratio on the 4490, 4495S and 4497, we are dealing with some amazingly good numbers across the board; I dare say none of us could hear the difference at this level without test equipment, i.e. only with our ears. The THD+N numbers are vastly superior on the 4497 and in second place, the older 4490(!) versus the 4495 and 4495S (which Esoteric does use) however once again, it's about the performance of the overall component that really matters.

As an aside, if you look at how AKM presents their DAC line-up, they still list the 4490 as second in the line-up to the 4497 and still referred to as a flagship product; quite interesting if you ask me...

For me, specs. are important but what is most important is the overall sound quality and overall sound profile / target sound achieved. To me, these DAC choices in Esoteric products like the K1 and N-01 look to be focused on a 'smooth' sound profile and a focus on the highest input streaming behavior possible (while still providing outstanding CD/SACD playback from disc in the case of the K1) versus the D-02X, K-01X and D1s being weighted more towards a priority of best CD/SACD playback in terms of air, articulation, a balance of smoothness, etc...while still providing a high degree of focus and input bandwidth for streaming.

I mentioned before that if you look at the specs. the DACs themselves and the overall components, NONE of these can really be labelled inferior to the other and ALL are truly SOTA products. Picking any of them is a win in terms of sound quality. Which one you choose should be a balanced decision on what matters most to you. I would suggest that focusing on a line-item spec. on a DAC chip/subassembly will have one missing the boat on what really matters (all said extremely IMHO)!

Best Sirs,

Bob

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by jdandy

From information in the Esoteric N-01 online brochure it appears to be a feature laden network streamer, but compared to other network streamers the network and streaming capabilities are quite similar. Where the N-01 breaks rank with other network streamers, making it shine like a stage center spotlight and worthy of its lofty price point, is the dual mono K1 DAC's, analog output stages, and Esoteric's extreme attention to isolated power supplies. As a network streamer and leading edge DAC combination the Esoteric N-01 is quite a remarkable audio component.

Extremely well said....

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube;

Best Sirs,

Bob

Thank you Sir!

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by jdandy

From information in the Esoteric N-01 online brochure it appears to be a feature laden network streamer, but compared to other network streamers the network and streaming capabilities are quite similar. Where the N-01 breaks rank with other network streamers, making it shine like a stage center spotlight and worthy of its lofty price point, is the dual mono K1 DAC's, analog output stages, and Esoteric's extreme attention to isolated power supplies. As a network streamer and leading edge DAC combination the Esoteric N-01 is quite a remarkable audio component.

So Ivan.. do you want me to send my first born son now? Or just wait until they release it?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by phishphan

So Ivan.. do you want me to send my first born son now? Or just wait until they release it?

I prefer cash & coin to flesh & blood.

[audioextreme]

I expect that this product will be 25K plus, it seems. Don't you guys agree?

Almost seems worthwhile to fly to tokyo, buy it for cheap and fly back.

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by audioextreme

I expect that this product will be 25K plus, it seems. Don't you guys agree?

Almost seems worthwhile to fly to tokyo, buy it for cheap and fly back.

It should be in line with the other top 01x products at 20k.