Esoteric N-01XD SE Network Player

The N-01XD is equipped with a Master Sound Discrete DAC, developed entirely in-house to achieve the original master sound, and a high quality network module that delivers a three-dimensional sound as if you were listening to a vinyl recording.

The N-01XD is now even more advanced as an SE model with further sound quality updates.

Master Sound Discrete DAC Bringing Out All the Dynamics and Energy of Music.

Unattainable by integrated chips, our goal was to assemble carefully selected and tested discrete components into a complete circuit that could perfectly reproduce all the dynamics and energy of music. Our top engineering teams put their pride on the line to design and produce a quality of sound that can only be found in the “Master Sound Discrete DAC” discrete D/A converter.

Luxurious Materials and Powerful Current Output

The N-01XD SE’s Master Sound Discrete DAC is the most revolutionary two-channel stereo DAC circuit in Esoteric’s history, and is based on the original circuit developed for the Grandioso D1X SE Monoblock D/A Converter. As an extension of the D1X SE’s design philosophy, an abundance of luxurious materials have been invested in the construction of N-01XD SE’s Master Sound Discrete DAC, including 32 separate elements for each channel. Each of these 32 elements, including such key components as a clock driver, logic circuitry, capacitors and resistors, are kept independent to ensure the purest output with virtually no loss of musical energy.

Advanced Digital Processing Capability

The N-01XD SE incorporates Esoteric’s exclusive Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) modulator supporting 64-bit/512Fs audio frequency sampling. To perform D/A conversion on par with the excellent DSD and PCM format characteristics, separate FPGA* digital processing algorithms have been developed for each conversion process. This enables the N-01XD SE to extract the optimum sound quality from CDs, Super Audio CDs, and network audio playback.

* FPGA: Field-Programmable Gate Array

Upgraded with IDM-01 and Other Quality Parts

In the new SE model, the discrete parts of the analog circuitry on the DAC board have been refreshed for even better sound quality. The amplifier element is the original “Integrated Discrete-Amplifier Module IDM-01”. The materials, circuit patterns, and layout have been carefully studied by Esoteric’s engineers as if designing an amplifier with a discrete configuration, and the extremely short signal path that takes advantage of integrated circuits amplifies the vibrancy of music in a dynamic and subtle way. The IDM-01 and other analog parts, such as analog filter resistors and capacitors, have been carefully selected to achieve a more vivid live sound, improved audible dynamics, and a more organic texture.

Unique Esoteric-HCLD* Output Buffer Circuit with Enhanced Current Transmission

The N-01XD SE’s Esoteric-HCLD output buffer amplifier boasts an astonishing high-speed slew rate (response speed) of 2,000V/µs. Current transfer and speed – the most important factors in the design of any analog output circuit – have been pushed to the limit, while the array of EDLC** supercapacitors used in the buffer circuit's power supply provides a staggering 250,000μF of capacitance per channel for solid bass support and exceptionally dynamic music reproduction.

*HCLD: High Current Line Driver

**EDLC = Electric Double-layer Capacitor

ES-Link Analog – Esoteric’s Proprietary Current Transmission

In addition to line connections (XLR, RCA), ES-Link Analog, Esoteric’s proprietary current transmission system, is employed for connection to an amplifier. ES-Link Analog is the ideal method for audio signal transmission. Compared to the conventional voltage transmission, it transmits approximately 100 times more current, making it less susceptible to noise and sending the full energy of the music to the amplifier.

Also, it is not affected by the impedance of the interconnects running between the source device and amplifier, so it maintains a perfect integrity between the output signal of the source and the input signal to the amplifier.

Transport Connections for Super Audio CD Playback

The N-01XD SE supports Esoteric’s proprietary ES-Link 5 ultra-wideband digital transmission standard, and you can connect Esoteric’s Super Audio CD Transport models using either two HDMI cables or a single XLR cable.

Features

Master Sound Discrete DAC

ΔΣ modulator supporting 64-bit/512Fs

ES-LINK Input to connect with an ESOTERIC Super Audio CD transport for Super Audio CD playback

MQA decoding supported on all input sources

Quad power transformers, including Left and Right independent power transformers exclusive for DAC section

Network Input supporting DSD 22.5MHz and PCM 384kHz

Access to versatile network music subscription services (MQA, Roon, Qobuz and Tidal)

Power supply unit with linear devices, exclusive for network section

Discrete low-feedback DC regulator in analog section

EDLC* super capacitor for flawless flutter-less current supply

Double-deck chassis construction for the shortest signal paths

Semi-floating top panel for a sense of freedom of the sound

ES-LINK Analog for high-quality current transmission method

High-precision clock device "Grandioso Custom VCXO II" designed exclusive for Grandioso models

Specifications

Digital audio input

ES-LINK 1 (L/R)

Input signal formats

Linear PCM 44.1k to 768kHz, 48bit (ES-LINK5 format)

DSD 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4

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 1

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 (B type)

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)

• 32bit audio files only support integer formats.

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 formats FAT32, NTFS, Single partition; USB 2.0 or faster recommended

maximum Power Supply 0.5A

Input signal formats

Linear PCM 44.1k to 384kHz, 16bit / 24bit / 32bit (stereo)

• 32bit audio files only support integer formats.

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)

Analog audio outputs

XLR/ESL-A 1 pair (L/R)

Output level 5.0Vrms (1kHz, 10kΩ loaded)

Output impedance 40Ω

RCA 1 pair (L/R)

Output level 2.5Vrms (1kHz, 10kΩ loaded)

Output impedance 15Ω

Clock sync input

BNC 1

Input frequency 10MHz (±10ppm)

Input impedance 50Ω

Input level

Rectangle wave equivalent to TTL level

Sine wave 0.5 to 1.0Vrms

Clock sync output

BNC 1

Output level TTL level equivalent (75Ω load)

Output frequency 44.1k / 48kHz

Output frequency accuracy ±0.5ppm

General

Power supply

AC 230V, 50Hz

AC 120V, 60Hz

AC 220V, 60Hz

Power consumption 38W

External dimensions (W×H×D) 445 × 162 × 438mm

17-⅝" × 6-½" × 17-¼" (including protrusions)

Weight 26.3kg / 58 lb

Included accessories Power cord × 1

HDMI cable × 1

Felt pads × 4

Owner's manual × 1

Warranty card × 1

Audio performance

Frequency response 5Hz to 30kHz (–3dB)

S/N ratio 113dB (IHF-A)

Distortion 0.0007% (1kHz)