Never thought I'd invest this kind of $$$ in a front end. Maybe fantasised. And yet, here I am.
My AMR Dp-777SE DAC - an otherwise nice device - has developed a connection fault in the right channel. Should be easily fixed by a pro, but that is the fourth issue, which is too many even over the many years I've owned it. I just want to switch on the system and enjoy music. No fuss. My relatively new Lumin U2 Mini is a nice little device and has performed well, if not quite up to the level of my now defunct Antipodes DX2 running LMS. I'm aware that sunk costs bias is nagging at me, but think it is time to move on.
So, I work out what I want, explore my options, consider the value and maximum expense I'm okay with... and put the Esoteric N-05XD at the top of the list. Not many meaningful reviews in English; a translation site adds some to the mix. Seems okay, and a very nice value in Australia, relatively speaking. Despite the raves for their Discrete DAC used in this unit, I had reservations about it being a delta-sigma, as I tend to prefer R2R DACs. Arrange an in-home demo.
This is a very nice unit and shows what can be done when big companies want to produce something like this. It looks and feels like a beautifully, solidly engineered device. Quick to set up, though I have only been using default settings - no chasing those down the rabbit hole during the demo period. It's user-friendly for me, as it uses one of the better Lumins as its streaming component - I could use the app installed in my controller. It sounds rather different to the AMR + Lumin. I had my doubts initially - it took me a few albums to adjust. On the first night I was listening to some Harold Budd, Brian McBride and similar and for the first time with digital I had similar feelings I used to get from listening to vinyl as a young adult. It didn't sound the same as vinyl - it just evoked similar feelings. I've enjoyed my time with this unit - no fuss, no hassle, not a single operational quirk in two weeks - just beautifully fluid, effortless, open (but not at all diffuse) and expressive music, irrespective of recording quality or genre. Perfection? No. What is? But really very nice and a fine value down here. It could be 50% more expensive. Perhaps more.
Decision? I've sent the demo unit back and put in an order for a black one. Should have it in 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, I'm enjoying music through the AMR + Lumin again. But there are meaningful differences and I eagerly await the Esoteric.
My AMR Dp-777SE DAC - an otherwise nice device - has developed a connection fault in the right channel. Should be easily fixed by a pro, but that is the fourth issue, which is too many even over the many years I've owned it. I just want to switch on the system and enjoy music. No fuss. My relatively new Lumin U2 Mini is a nice little device and has performed well, if not quite up to the level of my now defunct Antipodes DX2 running LMS. I'm aware that sunk costs bias is nagging at me, but think it is time to move on.
So, I work out what I want, explore my options, consider the value and maximum expense I'm okay with... and put the Esoteric N-05XD at the top of the list. Not many meaningful reviews in English; a translation site adds some to the mix. Seems okay, and a very nice value in Australia, relatively speaking. Despite the raves for their Discrete DAC used in this unit, I had reservations about it being a delta-sigma, as I tend to prefer R2R DACs. Arrange an in-home demo.
This is a very nice unit and shows what can be done when big companies want to produce something like this. It looks and feels like a beautifully, solidly engineered device. Quick to set up, though I have only been using default settings - no chasing those down the rabbit hole during the demo period. It's user-friendly for me, as it uses one of the better Lumins as its streaming component - I could use the app installed in my controller. It sounds rather different to the AMR + Lumin. I had my doubts initially - it took me a few albums to adjust. On the first night I was listening to some Harold Budd, Brian McBride and similar and for the first time with digital I had similar feelings I used to get from listening to vinyl as a young adult. It didn't sound the same as vinyl - it just evoked similar feelings. I've enjoyed my time with this unit - no fuss, no hassle, not a single operational quirk in two weeks - just beautifully fluid, effortless, open (but not at all diffuse) and expressive music, irrespective of recording quality or genre. Perfection? No. What is? But really very nice and a fine value down here. It could be 50% more expensive. Perhaps more.
Decision? I've sent the demo unit back and put in an order for a black one. Should have it in 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, I'm enjoying music through the AMR + Lumin again. But there are meaningful differences and I eagerly await the Esoteric.
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