We have employed one DAC chip, a crucial component for digital audio, in each of the stereo channels. The ESS Technology ES9038Q2M SABRE32 Reference DAC we use has a strong reputation in the high-end audio market. Using 32-bit HyperStream® II DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator (both of which are ESS original technologies), an outstanding dynamic range is realized, and linearity is increased in the D/A conversion. As a result, clear and accurate audio playback with superior dynamic characteristics has been made possible.

A dual monaural circuit configuration is used throughout, from the power supply (including power transformers), to the D/A converters in the digital section and the Analog output stage. From the high-performance D/A converters to the massive toroidal-core power transformers, each element is configured for single channel processing. This prevents mutual interference effects while reproducing a rich acoustic expressiveness. In addition, the Analog audio signals of both the left and right channels are processed in full balanced mode soon after the D/A converters all the way to the output terminal, contributing to an improved S/N ratio and extended dynamic range.
This allows the fantastic sense of air that Hi-Res formats possess to be processed and conveyed without any losses.

Common control apps that support OpenHome can be used with the NT-505-X, which also supports this platform. Moreover, playlists on the NT-505-X can be managed using TEAC HR Streamer and other control apps that support OpenHome. Gapless playback is also supported.
With support for Roon Ready, functions provided by RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport), including high-quality audio playback, easy and convenient operation using apps, and multi-room synchronized playback, can be used without limits.
* Support for Roon Ready will be added in a firmware update made available after product release.

By connecting the unit to a home network using a LAN cable, music files saved on NAS music servers and computers can be accessed and played back. In addition, this unit also supports the Spotify, TIDAL, and Qobuz subscription Internet music streaming services. These enable listening to tens of millions of lossless CD-quality (44.1kHz/16bit) music tracks.

In order to achieve an Analog waveform closer to the original signal, the NT-505-X supports MQA decoding while also supporting high sampling rate Hi-Res formats like DSD512 (22.5MHz) and PCM 32bit/768kHz. The MQA decoder is a totally new technology that controls Analog waveforms with excellent precision (as fine as 5 microseconds) and it reproduces sound in a manner that is perceived to be as close as possible to the original (to human hearing).
Furthermore, a high-efficiency compression algorithm makes huge Hi-Res audio files compact in size, so you will be able to enjoy Hi-Res audio sources regardless of the speed of your Internet connection

In addition to conventional SBC and AAC codecs, the NT-505-X also supports LDAC™ (24bit/96kHz Hi-Res audio transmission), and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD, a codec that uses 24bit/48kHz format transmission. These allow you to playback playlists on your smartphone and tablet wirelessly.

The USB port on the front panel allows you to playback Hi-Res audio formats including DSD128 (5.6MHz) and PCM 24bit/192kHz downloaded from Internet or digitally recorded with the SD-500HR.

Instead of referencing to an unstable and noisy PC clock during USB audio playback, a more accurate and on-board clock is generated by a high-precision, low phase-noise, audio-grade crystal oscillator for USB asynchronous transfer mode. The NT-505-X accommodates two on-board clocks exclusively for 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling frequencies and applies the appropriate one to incoming digital signals - those that are multiples of 44.1k or 48k - to reproduce identical sound to the original by eliminating jitter effects on the audio signal.
In addition, an external 10MHz clock input is also provided, to synchronize with an even higher-precision master clock generator, such as the TEAC CG-10M/CG-10M-A, for yet further upgraded audio playback with excellent sound quality.

Employing RDOT-NEO (Refined Digital Output Technology NEO), a fluency algorithm that renders digital audio signals smoothly, the NT-505-X up-converts PCM digital signals up to 384kHz/32bit PCM and 24.5MHz DSD. With the up-conversion function activated, you will hear an improvement in quality, even with music that you are familiar with.

When transferring large volumes of digital data for Hi-Res audio sources through USB cables using conventional isochronous transfer mode, large variations can occur in the processing loads of the sending computer and the receiving USB DAC.
This can cause sound to drop out and other problems to occur. However, with our new USB transmission technology - dubbed "Bulk Pet" - a fixed amount of data is transmitted constantly, levelling out the processing burden on both devices and contributing to stable data transmission.
Changing the processing burden on the computer directly affects audio quality so users can select the setting they prefer (from four transmission modes).。
"Bulk Pet" is a registered trademark of Interface Corporation. For more information about "Bulk Pet", please visit the Interface Corporation website.

There are seven types of PCM digital filters, allowing you to apply the filter that best matches the file format or type of music you're listening to. The filter can be changed at the touch of a button on the remote control, allowing you to enjoy the different sonic nuances of each filter.

The dual monaural theme continues. Two over-sized high-capacity toroidal-core power transformers are employed in the NT-505-X, supplying stable, individual current sources for each of the left and right channels. This means neither channel will be affected by changes in the power consumption of the other during digital processing.