ЦАПы — Esoteric N-01XE

The N-01XE is an Esoteric network DAC, made under TEAC Corporation, and succeeds the N-01XD SE in the 01 Series. Its launch was announced on 1 September 2026. Both core boards, the Master Sound Discrete DAC G2 and the Esoteric Network Engine G4, come directly from the Grandioso N1 streamer, so a single stereo chassis in the 01 Series now carries the digital technology of the brand's top network player.

Key specs that matter

Network playback reaches PCM 768 kHz and DSD 22.5 MHz, although 768 kHz files are down-converted to 384 kHz. Digital inputs cover ES-Link5 over two HDMI cables, AES/EBU on XLR at 110 ohm, coaxial at 75 ohm, optical and asynchronous USB-B, which accepts PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD 22.5 MHz. The XLR, coaxial and optical inputs stop at 192 kHz and 24 bit, with DSD 2.8 MHz via DoP. The network side offers a gigabit RJ45 socket, an SFP port and USB-A for storage. The balanced analogue output has a 60 ohm impedance and reaches 5.0 Vrms, the RCA pair 20 ohm and 2.5 Vrms. Measured with DSD 2.8 MHz from the XLR output, response runs from 5 Hz to 30 kHz at -3 dB, signal-to-noise is 113 dB A-weighted and distortion 0.001% at 1 kHz. Draw is 26 W, and the case measures 445 x 161.5 x 437 mm at 25.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

No off-the-shelf DAC chip is used. Conversion runs in an FPGA-based multi-level delta-sigma design with a proprietary 64-bit, 512 Fs modulator, 32 elements per channel and separate algorithms for DSD and PCM. MELF resistors, Esoteric's own IDM-01 modules in the analogue filter and an HCLD output buffer with a 2,000 V/us slew rate complete the path. Five transformers feed the left DAC, the right DAC, the network engine, the digital circuits and the microcontroller, with discrete low-feedback DC regulators in the key supply. The internal clock is a discrete design derived from the OCXO module of the Grandioso G1X, and a 10 MHz BNC input accepts a G-01XD or G-05 master clock. Isolator circuits separate the network engine and every digital input from the DAC. Filters and PCM-to-DSD conversion are selectable. A double-layer aluminium and steel chassis rests on a 5 mm steel base with three Pinpoint feet.

Pairing

The XLR output can switch to ES-Link Analog, Esoteric's current-transmission link for compatible preamplifiers and power amplifiers. Esoteric SACD transports connect through ES-Link5 with two HDMI leads or a single XLR cable. Built-in services include Qobuz and Qobuz Connect, Tidal and Tidal Connect, QQ Music and Spotify, Roon Ready certification is under way, and the Esoteric Sound Stream app handles control from iOS and Android.

Alternatives

The Esoteric N-05XE is a smaller network DAC that pairs the same G4 engine and G2 discrete DAC with a balanced preamplifier, a headphone amplifier and Bluetooth.