At the core of any audio system, the preamplifier circuitry plays the central determining factor in how sound is perceived. The N-05XD inherits the Grandioso line’s high fidelity and superb musical expression, a compendium of both Esoteric’s long-held philosophy and advanced technology, while further inheriting its esteemed pedigree. With its long-established fully balanced dual mono configuration, the preamplifier’s dynamic yet delicate sound transcends the boundaries of playback quality, and even goes so far as to delineate the sensibilities of both the performers and the sound engineer.

Installed in the N-05XD’s preamplifier section, the Esoteric-QVCS* Attenuator system features a total of four collectively operated attenuator circuits that independently and electronically control the left and right audio channels and their positive and negative phases. This system helps maintain superb audio clarity, excellent channel separation and highly accurate phase characteristics. Additionally, the vastly shorter audio signal path helps minimize sound quality deterioration at both low and high volumes and allow the complete, unadulterated expression of musical passion.
* QVCS = Quad Volume Control System

Providing ultra-smooth analog operating feel, the N-05XD’s volume control utilizes the same ball bearing support mechanism featured in Esoteric’s premier Grandioso line. The volume knob itself is also precision-machined from solid aluminum.

The N-05XD’s Esoteric-HCLD output buffer circuit was designed in pursuit of the ultimate in current transmission capacity and speed, both of which are critically important factors in achieving the ultimate in analog output circuitry. The buffer’s high-speed element features a slew rate—or response speed—of 2,000V/μs, allowing it to reproduce with breathtaking clarity the full dynamism of the music being played.
*HCLD: High Current Line Driver

The N-05XD also comes fully equipped with Esoteric’s original Es-Link Analog transmission output. This advanced current transmission method takes advantage of the HCLD buffer circuit’s high performance to deliver powerful, high-speed current supply capability that makes it possible to transmit the audio signal purely, powerfully, and completely unaffected by signal path impedance. This ideal analog audio transmission method maximizes the potential of the system when connected to compatible devices.

Enjoy the uniquely blissful musical listening experience of high-end audio in your own personal space by using the N-05XD in combination with your favorite pair of headphones. The N-05XD is equipped with Esoteric’s first full-scale fully balanced dual mono headphone amplifier, which responds to new styles of listening with outstanding playback quality that combines Esoteric’s advanced preamplifier design technology with a collective wisdom accumulated over years of high-end audio design that always strives for the pinnacle of sound quality.
The amplifier’s advanced circuitry features a fully balanced, dual-mono design that closely approximates that of Esoteric’s renowned Linestage preamplifiers. It is also equipped with two separate outputs: a balanced 4-pin XLR output jack and an unbalanced 6.3mm stereo audio jack, both conveniently located on the N-05XD’s elegant front panel. With its fully balanced power output of 1500mW (into a 32Ω load), this superlative headphone amplifier powerfully drives high impedance headphones with plenty of headroom to spare. For unbalanced output, the ground potential is actively driven to 0V so that any fluctuations of ground (earth) potential in each of the left and right channels do not affect the other, thus realizing eminently clear channel separation, uncompromising high performance, and superb musical expressiveness with both balanced and unbalanced connections.

The N-05XD is also a highly versatile high-end component that has been meticulously finished without any compromise, providing top-tier audio performance, no matter the function the user selects to use. When switched to fixed line level output, the N-05XD can be connected to an external preamp for operation as a standalone digital source or DAC. Likewise, its Network function can be completely turned OFF when not use. The N-05XD also comes equipped with AV Pass through output that allows it to be used as a front channel preamp in a surround sound AV speaker system.

The N-05XD is fully compatible with Esoteric’s own original Es-Link* wideband digital transmission standard, which allows it to be connected to Esoteric’s high-end Super Audio CD player and transport.

* Es-Link is Esoteric’s original wideband digital interface. The N-05XD provides support for this interface with a single XLR cable connection.

Such high-quality sound codecs as LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, and AAC are all fully supported, while smartphone music files can be easily played with astounding sound quality.

Even higher sound quality can be achieved by combining the N-05XD with an external master clock generator by way of its high-accuracy 10MHz master clock input.

The N-05XD’s semi-floating top panel accentuates the sensation of the sound output’s free, unencumbered feeling, while its bottom chassis features high-precision laser-cut slits on its power supply transformer mounts to control vibration. Esoteric’s own exclusive pinpoint feet (Patent No. 4075477, No. 3778108) also effectively release any vibration to the exterior of the unit.

Specifications
Type: DAC, preamplifier, headphone amplifier, and streamer
Digital Input： Two RCA S/PDIF （PCM 24bit/ 192 kHz；DSD 2.8 MHz/ DoP）
AES/ EBU x 1（PCM 24bit/192 kHz；DSD 2.8 MHz/ DoP）
Coax x 2（PCM 24bit/ 192 kHz；DSD 2.8 MHz, DoP）
USB type B x 1（PCM 32bit/ 384 kHz；DSD 22.5 MHz）
USB type A x 2（PCM 32bit/ 384 kHz；DSD 22.5 MHz）
Bluetooth 4.0（A2DP, AVRCP, LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD audio, aptX audio, AAC, SBC）
Analogue Input: RCA x 1；XLR x 1
Analogue Output: RCA x 1；XLR/ ESL-A x 1；ESL-A Pre Out x 1
Headphone Output: 4-pin XLR x 1；6.3mm phono jack x1
Clock Input: BNC x1（10MHz ±10ppm）
Size: 445 x 131 x 377 mm （WxHxD）
Weight：13.8 kgs.