Welcome to the first class of music listening.
The N-05XE is Esoteric’s best-selling compact reference system component, now evolved into the “XE” generation with richer musicality and next-generation technology throughout. It combines a network streamer, discrete DAC, dual-mono preamplifier, and high-end headphone amplifier in a single, beautifully engineered chassis — Made in Tokyo.
System Configuration
- D/A Converter — Wide range of digital inputs
- Network Streamer — Streaming and music file playback
- Dual-Mono, Dual Balanced Preamplifier
- Dual-Mono, Parallel Single-Ended Headphone Amplifier
- Fully Dual-Mono Construction — All analog and power supply circuits are completely L/R independent
Master Sound Discrete DAC G2
- Next-generation G2 DAC incorporating Grandioso N1 technologies
- 64-bit/512Fs δΣ multilevel D/A converter
- FPGA-based discrete circuit — no off-the-shelf DAC IC
- Independent FPGA algorithms optimized separately for PCM and DSD
- New low-noise resistor network for cleaner imaging
- High-precision MELF resistor elements for ultra-high conversion accuracy
- Fully dual-mono — L/R independent analog and power supply circuits
- Proprietary Master Sound Discrete Clock for Digital Player
Esoteric Network Engine G4
- SFP port for optical network connectivity
- Dedicated large linear power supply — smooth, vinyl-like, richly detailed sound
- Native DSD 22.5 MHz playback support
- Music server function — connect up to two USB storage devices
- Supported formats: DSF, DSDIFF, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MQA, MP3, AAC
- Esoteric Sound Stream app for iOS and Android
- OpenHome compliant
- Streaming: Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready (dedicated RAAT mode), Spotify Connect, QQ Music
Dual-Mono, Dual Balanced Preamplifier
- 8 independent circuits — L/R and hot/cold fully separated
- Dedicated attenuator power supply for pure volume control
- HCLD High-Current Buffer Amplifier — drives downstream equipment with no compromise
- ES-Link Analog input/output — Esoteric’s proprietary current signal transmission
Dual-Mono, Parallel Single-Ended Headphone Amplifier
- Completely new circuit design for the XE model
- 1,200 mW + 1,200 mW output (32Ω load)
- 4-pin XLR and ¼" (6.3mm) stereo headphone outputs
- Compatible impedance: 16–600Ω
Connectivity & Other Features
- Front USB-C port — DAC input for smartphones and DAPs
- ES-Link (XLR) input — digital connectivity to Esoteric SACD transports
- 10 MHz clock input — for use with G-05 external master clock
- Bluetooth receiver — LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC; multipoint (up to 2 devices)
- Fixed line output mode and signal pass-through output mode
- Trigger in/out (3.5mm)
Chassis & Build
- High-rigidity chassis with semi-floating top panel
- Precision laser-cut resonance slits around power transformer mount
- Patented Pinpoint isolation feet
- Ball-bearing volume knob machined from solid aluminum
- RC-1339 aluminum remote control included
- Proudly Made in Tokyo
Advanced Digital Processing Capabilities
The G2 DAC supports the latest formats, including native DSD 22.5 MHz playback. Independent FPGA-based digital processing algorithms, optimized separately for DSD and PCM formats, enable D/A conversion that maximizes the advantages of each format.
Full Specifications
| Network Section | |
| Supported File Formats | |
| PCM Lossless | FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MQA |
| DSD Lossless | DSF, DSDIFF (DFF), DoP |
| Compressed Audio | MP3, AAC |
| Ethernet Port | 1 (1000BASE-T) |
| SFP Port | 1 (1000BASE-T/-LX Single Mode, 1000BASE-SX Multi Mode) |
| USB Drive Port | 1 (Type-A), 1 (Type-C) — USB 2.0 or higher recommended |
| Supported File System | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, Single Partition |
| Maximum Current Supply | 0.5A Each |
| Supported Sampling Frequencies | |
| PCM | 44.1 to 768kHz, 16/24/32bit |
| DSD | 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.5MHz |
| Bluetooth Section | |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Output Class | Class 2 (approx. 10m range) |
| Supported Profile | A2DP, AVRCP |
| Supported A2DP Codec | LDAC, LHDC, Qualcomm aptX HD, Qualcomm aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Pairing Memory | Max. 8 |
| Multipoint Connection | Max. 2 |
| Digital Audio Inputs | |
| XLR (ES-Link) | 1 — 5.0Vp-p, 110Ω, PCM 32–192kHz / DSD 2.8MHz |
| RCA | 2 — 0.5Vp-p, 75Ω, PCM 32–192kHz / DSD 2.8MHz (DoP) |
| Optical | 2 — PCM 32–192kHz / DSD 2.8MHz (DoP) |
| USB | 2 (Type-B, Type-C) — PCM 44.1–384kHz / DSD up to 22.5MHz |
| Analog Audio Inputs | |
| XLR / ES-Link Analog | 1 (L/R) — 16kΩ, 5Vrms rated, 11Vrms max |
| RCA | 1 (L/R) — 10kΩ, 2.5Vrms rated, 5.5Vrms max |
| Analog Audio Outputs | |
| XLR / ES-Link Analog | 1 (L/R) — 40Ω, 5Vrms rated, 12Vrms max |
| RCA | 1 (L/R) — 15Ω, 2.5Vrms rated, 6Vrms max |
| ES-Link Analog Pre-Out | 1 (L/R) |
| DAC Audio Performance | |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz–30kHz (−3dB, DSD 2.8MHz, XLR output) |
| S/N Ratio | 109dB (A-weighted, DSD 2.8MHz, XLR output) |
| Distortion | 0.001% (1kHz, DSD 2.8MHz, XLR output) |
| Headphone Outputs | |
| ¼" (6.3mm) Stereo | 1 |
| 4-Pin XLR | 1 |
| Maximum Output Power | 1,200mW + 1,200mW (32Ω load) |
| Compatible Impedance | 16–600Ω |
| Clock Input | |
| BNC | 1 — 10MHz (±10ppm), 50Ω |
| External Control | |
| Trigger In | 1 (3.5mm mono) — 12V, 1mA |
| Trigger Out | 1 (3.5mm mono) — 12V, 100mA max |
| General | |
| Power Supply | AC 120V 60Hz (US/Canada) — AC 220–240V 50/60Hz (Europe) |
| Power Consumption | 30W (Standby: 0.3W) |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 445 × 131 × 377mm |
| Weight | 13.6kg |
| Included Accessories | Power Cord, Remote Control (RC-1339), AA Batteries ×2, Owner’s Manual, Warranty Card |
Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.