Congrats.
Do let us know your impression. The N01 XD is on top of my list.

Thanks.

Will do! I do have high expectations though. It will have to beat my MSB Discrete DAC hands down, with no “blind tests” required, or it’s out on chopping block.

Wow, great comparison. I am anxious to see what your thoughts are. Probably not as anxious as yourself of course :)

Please keep us posted

:lurk:

I will say one thing now that my Esoteric N-01XD arrived: it blew the MSB Discrete out of the water. Hands down.

This is an astonishing DAC. Very happy with my purchase. By far the best impact on my overall system I have ever had. And I have had a lot. Speakers, amps, you name it. ‘ Nuf said

Congratulations on owning this incredible unit!!!

Wow, that is quite the endorsement :) Huge congrats on the new unit! What is the biggest difference between the MSB and the N-01XD? What do you love about it so much? Thanks for sharing by the way.

Thanks very much.

The N-01XD has huge sound, if I were to describe it that way. It expands way wider than the MSB, height, depth, withd. Very "3d" like. It has a great timbre and accurate tonality, something I really enjoy, true to the natural as it can be. Very detailed, "high resolution", all the "sparkle", at the same time not fatiguing. If I were to contrast the MSB Discrete side by side, I would describe the MSB is as "soft" and "cozy".

Thanks for sharing your feedback. It would certainly helps me in narrowing the field. :thumbsup:

Wow, sounds amazing. Do you have any experience with older esoteric, like the K-01x? I'm curious how you feel it compares to those based on the AKM dacs.

Same question to anyone reading this. :scratch2: