Metrum Acoustics Pavane or ESOTERIC N-05 or ESOTERIC K-05X?

Hi audioabc,

I have not heard the Metrum and so cannot comment on it.

I have the N-05 which is now past 1000 hours of burn-in. It shares the same AK 4490 chip as the K-05X. I find the N-05 beating my previous K-01 which I used for almost 3 years, in every sonic parameter.

If you only need a new dac to go with your current player as transport, the N-05 is very good value for the money. If you want everything new, then the K-05X should be your ticket.

Here’s the link to the awards list for Esoteric gear - the K-05X as second prize winner, nudged the K-03X to third place.

http://www.esoteric.jp/about/award/indexe.html

Rgds. J.

Hi jon2020

Thank you very much for your promt & precious reply.

"I find the N-05 beating my previous K-01" ! Your sentence beats me too! What a nice surprise! I auditioned the Esoteric  K-03 last month and found it wonderful. And I know it is still inferior to K-01 which is often taken better then WADIA S7I.

I will contact a dealer for  an ESOTERIC N-05 or K-05X  after you advice. Both of them have nearly  the same price.

But I wonder why the N-05 is not available in the award list. Is there no award for Network Audio Player? 

Much thanks once more. 

 Best Regards

AudioABC

If your looking at this Metrum Acoustics Pavane  Mutibit dac, then also have a look at this one.

http://www.aquahifi.com/formula.html

Cheers George