New N-01 top network player

[justubes]

It looks very promising that the N-01 gets a full MQA unfolding.

If any notice was made that there are no filters or upsampling in the N-01, this looks highly likely that this was done so the it could get MQA certified.

Wonder if the lack of filters will be detrimental to the sound on non mqa files being streamed, as AKM dac chips i feel need their inbuilt filters to sound at it's best.

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by justubes

It looks very promising that the N-01 gets a full MQA unfolding.

If any notice was made that there are no filters or upsampling in the N-01, this looks highly likely that this was done so the it could get MQA certified.

Wonder if the lack of filters will be detrimental to the sound on non mqa files being streamed, as AKM dac chips i feel need their inbuilt filters to sound at it's best.

I recall reading other threads that indicate the Esoteric Grandioso K1, which has the same AKM DAC, has no filters, either. As that isn't a streamer, I don't know if it's accurate to say there are no user adjustable filters solely for the sake of MQA.

[Nacho]

My D02X hasn't filters too.
Only upsampling mode.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

I recall reading other threads that indicate the Esoteric Grandioso K1, which has the same AKM DAC, has no filters, either. As that isn't a streamer, I don't know if it's accurate to say there are no user adjustable filters solely for the sake of MQA.

Correct....furthermore, the N-01, K1, D-02X and D1 do in fact have ONE (1) filter still remaining, a DSD filter which can be set ON or OFF. In the case of the N-01, this may help towards its MQA path but I think it's safe to say that Esoteric removing filters totally sans the DSD filter on the 4 units above has nothing overall to do with MQA. It is more their statement on what they've found sounds best viz. their latest design advancements!

All the above found in the product manual for each.

[justubes]

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Correct....furthermore, the N-01, K1, D-02X and D1 do in fact have ONE (1) filter still remaining, a DSD filter which can be set ON or OFF. In the case of the N-01, this may help towards its MQA path but I think it's safe to say that Esoteric removing filters totally sans the DSD filter on the 4 units above has nothing overall to do with MQA. It is more their statement on what they've found sounds best viz. their latest design advancements!

All the above found in the product manual for each.

As i stream tidal almost entirely nowadays, full MQA decoding would be the required way to go.

Not feeling the need to spin disc, the N-01 is the way to go, esentially adding a N-01, one gets a K1 which i can still keep the k-01x as a transport.

More so is that i am unlikely going to be able to demo one side by side the chances the dealer will not have a N01 opened for display, streaming really is going to be hard to demo in their showroom.

I am more than delighted with the K01x as dac streaming and i have go my streams, whether ripped or through tidal set up to sound indistinguisable from playing the cd and streaming new material sounds even better.

I am concerned i will muck up the balance and musicality i am getting now that i can no longer improve the sound. Any improvement i find starts to lose this balance and musicality, it seems a trade off that i keep going back nd cannot accept it.

The N-01 specs and technical offerings is just too much a temptation for the flesh to not upgrade or want to own it, i feel some therapy may be needed.

I told myself that the k01x will be my last plyer for the next 5 years at leasts i am that satisfied after getting it and optimising the sonic synergy.

Do you guys think i shoud splurgeon some insane cables as an upgrade or the mileage and improvements would be as near as the velvet onics the new dac section may offer or jumping off this merry go round nd look into fpga dacs which may have something good offer as well?

[audioextreme]

I'm sure the N01 will be an upgrade, but given that you already have a K01X, you have to ask yourself, is the upgrade in DAC worth the investment?

If i owned a K01X and had 20K (or whatever the N01 will cost) to spend on my system, I would perhaps look at other weaknesses in my system and put the money there. IMHO, once you get above a certain level your dollar doesn't go as far and you get diminishing improvements.

[audioextreme]

Here's a question, perhaps for Dan, if you could choose between one of these combinations, which would you choose and why?

N10 + D02X

N01

Reason I ask, I have always wanted an Esoteric DAC but been saving for a long time for it. Already own an N10. Do it sell the N10 and get the N01? Or do i keep the N10 and get a D02x. What combo would sound better?

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by audioextreme

Here's a question, perhaps for Dan, if you could choose between one of these combinations, which would you choose and why?

N10 + D02X

N01

Reason I ask, I have always wanted an Esoteric DAC but been saving for a long time for it. Already own an N10. Do it sell the N10 and get the N01? Or do i keep the N10 and get a D02x. What combo would sound better?

The d02x has the 4490 chips, the N01 has the 4497 chips. While no one has heard it on here, I think it would be a safe bet that the newer DAC is a improvement.

I was thinking of going the exact same direction as you. But I’m holding off. And most likely saving money as a result

[justubes]

Originally Posted by audioextreme

Here's a question, perhaps for Dan, if you could choose between one of these combinations, which would you choose and why?

N10 + D02X

N01

Reason I ask, I have always wanted an Esoteric DAC but been saving for a long time for it. Already own an N10. Do it sell the N10 and get the N01? Or do i keep the N10 and get a D02x. What combo would sound better?

It doesnt look that the N01 gathers much interest relating to streaming.

With the esoteric, from what i am reading is not a purebreed streamer like the Aurenders, lumins etc.

It relies on using HQ player to run say software stored in a NAS. Likewise, tidal streaming needs a control pc to be on? Likewise using roon when supported.

Pure streamers dont need a pc, windws or mac on to stream , just a ipad or android device as a remote control.

Does anyone used a N05 for tidal here that can share some light.

The pure streamers have software players built in the unit, it doesnt seem that the esoteric steamers have this.

No esoteric helpdesk when we run into issue setting up say the N01?

[wklie]

Originally Posted by justubes

With the esoteric, from what i am reading is not a purebreed streamer like the Aurenders, lumins etc.

It relies on using HQ player to run say software stored in a NAS. Likewise, tidal streaming needs a control pc to be on? Likewise using roon when supported.

Pure streamers dont need a pc, windws or mac on to stream , just a ipad or android device as a remote control.

That's not correct. N-05 operates exactly like a Lumin. You can even use Lumin app to control it, in addition to Esoteric Sound Stream app - manual is here:

http://www.esoteric.jp/products/esot...am_OM_E_vA.pdf

Concise version:
http://www.luminmusic.com/lumin-app.html

You don't need a computer to use N-05 or N-01 or TEAC NR-7CD. You do need an iPad to browse album and control these models for network streaming, and a NAS running MinimServer is highly recommended. (For people who do not want to deal with NAS, there's also Lumin L1 2TB that acts as a zero-configuration library.) Tidal and Qobuz (Hi-Res included) are natively supported by these models and the app. They do not rely on a computer for access to Tidal / Qobuz.