Ex-demonstration, Streamers
Esoteric N-03T Network Audio Player Ex Demonstration
Esoteric N-03T Network Audio Player
£7,499
RRP £10,800
The Esoteric N-03T sits between the N-01XD and the N-05 XD network players. The N-03T is a fully featured digital streaming transport which works with Qobuz, Tidal and Spotify. It is Roon ready and will also decode MQA files. The N-03 T features battleship build quality
The Esoteric N-03T is a substantial machine weighing in at over 17KG. This is extremely substantial for a streamer. A substantial amount of this weight is down to twin toroidal power transformers inside. Having different power supplies for different sections of the player provides greater isolation from noise on the circuits that really need it and gives the player state of the art performance. The N-03T is a transport only so does not have a DAC on board. The digital output should be connected to an external DAC. The K-03XD CD player is the ideal partner for this product. The D-02X could also be used to excellent effect.
The player can be upgraded further by the addition of an external Master clock such as the G-01X or G-02X. This moves the performance of the player on yet further.
To explore more Esoteric products available at DNA Audio please head this way.
For more information about the Esoteric N-03T please visit their website.
Network Audio
The N-03T fulfils every music lover’s dream: to access music freely from your living room chair and enjoy the very best audio quality. The DSD master audio source provides a crystal-clear audio experience, your CD collection is arranged in a library for easy access, and streaming services put new music at your fingertips. The N-03T is a network audio transport system specially designed to connect with an external DAC or a Super Audio CD player’s built-in DAC via USB connection. Other than your audio system, all you need is a home LAN (Wi-Fi router, etc.), a tablet or smartphone and a NAS (music server) to store your music library. That’s all you need for an easy, comfortable music experience where you don’t have to compromise on quality.
Compatible with a Wide Range of Audio Sources
Care has been taken with every detail to achieve audio quality suitable for high-end network playback. The N-03T is compatible with a vast range of formats (DSF, DSDIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, MP3 and AAC) and supports playback up to DSD 22.5MHz and PCM 768kHz/32-bit by USB output. Gapless playback is also supported for all lossless formats for uninterrupted playback of live or opera recordings.
ESOTERIC Sound Stream
Esoteric Sound Stream is an Apple iOS and a Google Android network playback app for tablets and smartphones designed with an emphasis on intuitive operability. Simply select music tracks by using your tablet or smartphone to create a customized playlist and then play the playlist. All screens are intuitively designed for easy operation and access to playlists and libraries, making it easy for anyone to use. It also has a wide range of advanced features that meet the demands of even the most experienced users.
A key feature is the excellent search and retrieval function that fully utilizes tag information. Images are also stored in the app, enabling you to instantly scroll through album artwork and libraries according to categories such as artist, year of recording, composer or category. For more information about ESOTERIC Sound Stream app, please see its product page here. For ESOTERIC Sound Stream app manual, please see here.
The N-03T has a USB port enabling digital output up to DSD 22.5MHz and PCM 768kHz/32-bit. This allows the N-03T to be connected to a USB DAC or a disc player with a USB port.
Two other digital output systems (XLRx1 and RCAx1) are also included, supporting PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit and DSD2.8MHz (DoP).
Music Server Function
The N-03T can also be used as a simplified music server in which a player and a library can be integrated by connecting large-capacity storage devices to two USB ports on the front and rear of the unit.
Esoteric has partnerships with a wide range of streaming service and audio codec providers, and preparations are underway for compatibility with new services.*
*Information on newly supported services will be released on the Esoteric website. However, regional restrictions may be implemented on some services.
Begin your encounters with new music through TIDAL, a high-end music streaming service that has officially partnered with ESOTERIC. TIDAL’s lossless music distribution service operates on a fixed rate basis. Offering instant access to its enormous sound library, TIDAL enables users to enjoy their favorite music online with excellent sound quality.
Learn more here: TIDAL
Learn more here: qobuz
Roon is the most engaging, enjoyable way to browse your music. Being Roon Ready means that Esoteric network players transparently discover and connect to Roon, with no network configuration, with bitperfect delivery of audio to your dac. Together, Roon and Esoteric deliver the power, flexibility, and performance benefits of networked audio, with the easiest setup and highest reliability available.
Learn more here: Roon labs* As of October 2020, Roon Ready is supported with firmware V1.04. For more details please see download page.
Spotify is an on-line music streaming service delivering over 40 million music. Two types of services are provided, a basic service called “Spotify Free” for free, and on-demand and high-quality sound subscription serive called “Spotify Premium” at flat rate.
Learn more here: Spotify
MQA is an award-winning technology that delivers master quality audio in a file that’s small enough to stream or download. Using pioneering scientific research into how people hear, MQA captures and authenticates the sound of the original studio performance.
Learn more here:MQA
The N-03T decodes MQA 44.1k/48kHz data to 88.2k/96kHz which are compatible with conventional PCM D/A converters.
Equipped with Two Powerful Independent Power Supplies
The N-03T is equipped with two large independent toroidal transformers, one for the internal network module and one for the other digital circuits, enabling the ideal supply of power to each circuit block. Unlike a standard switching power supply, these large linear power supplies are made with high quality components such as large filter capacitors and Schottky barrier diodes. The dedicated power supply for the network module also has an EDLC (Electric Double-layer Capacitor), a super-capacitor that has 1F (1,000,000μF) capacitance. These provide a dramatic improvement in audio quality.
High-Rigidity Chassis Construction
The bottom chassis used to secure the circuit components has a dual-layer structure with two steel plates (5mm and 2mm). The power supply transformer and other components are arranged three-dimensionally on the two layers to prevent interference between components, and laser-cut slits are applied to each layer for effective control of vibration. A thick, heavyweight aluminium panel enclosure and Esoteric’s unique pinpoint feet (patents no. JP4075477 and JP3778108) provide thorough mechanical grounding against vibration.
Versatile Range of System Plans
Ever since we were first established, Esoteric’s philosophy has centred on modular audio systems, breaking audio down into separate devices and refining each one to achieve maximum audio quality. The N-03T network audio transport system can be combined with Esoteric’s range of D/A converters (D series) and Super Audio CD players (K series) to build your system just the way you want it.
Technical Specification:
| Network section | |
| ETHERNET | 1 (1000BASE-T) |
| Supported file formats | |
| PCM lossless | FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC) , WAV, AIFF, MQA |
| DSD lossless | DSF, DSDIFF (DFF) |
| Compressed audio | MP3, AAC (m4a container) |
| USB DRIVE | 2 (Front, Rear) |
| Supported file system | FAT32, exFAT, NTFS |
| Single partition | |
| USB2.0 or later recommended | |
| Maximum power supply | 0.5A |
| Input signal formats | |
| Linear PCM | 44.1k to 384kHz, 16bit / 24bit / 32bit (stereo) • Only integer format file supported at 32bit |
| DSD | 2.8MHz, 5.6MHz, 11.2MHz, 22.4MHz (stereo) |
| Supported file formats | |
| PCM Lossless | FLAC, Apple Lossless (ALAC), WAV, AIFF, MQA |
| DSD Lossless | DSF, DSDIFF (DFF) , DoP |
| Compressed audio | MP3, AAC (m4a container) |
| Digital audio outputs | |
| USB | 1 (USB2.0 standard) |
| XLR | 1 |
| Output level | 3.0Vrms (110Ω load) |
| Output audio formats | |
| Linear PCM | 44.1k to 192kHz, 16bit / 24bit |
| DSD | 2.8MHz (DoP format) |
| RCA | 1 |
| Output level | 0.5Vrms (75Ω load) |
| Output audio formats | |
| Linear PCM | 44.1k to 192kHz, 16bit / 24bit |
| DSD | 2.8MHz (DoP format) |
| Clock sync input | |
| BNC | 1 |
| Input impedance | 50Ω |
| Frequencies that can be input | 10MHz (±10ppm) |
| Input level | |
| Rectangle wave | equivalent to TTL levels |
| Sine wave | 0.5 to 1.0Vrms (50 to 75Ω) |
| General | |
| Power supply | |
| AC 220 – 240V, 50/60Hz | |
| AC 120V, 60Hz | |
| AC 220V, 60Hz | |
| Power consumption | 31W |
| External dimensions (W×H×D) | 445 × 131 × 360mm 17-⅝” × 5-¼” × 14-¼” (including protrusions) |
| Weight | 17kg / 37-½ lb |
| Included accessories | Power cord × 1 Felt pads × 3 Owner’s manual × 1 |
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