Well I feel Bricasti DAC is really like a playback design MPD 5 except the lacking depth and height. Bricasti has higher resolution and microdetails than most dacs while containing analogue sound without being harsh as Wavedream Rockna which also lacks depth and height but with probably the highest level of resolution.
I pulled the trigger for N05XD because it has the best three dimensionality, stage width and depth (Macro-details) while maintaining equally top level of imaging and Macro-details which DCS and May KTE lack.
N-01XD more analogue with fuller body and better details than N05XD. Yet my system is all black and unfortunately N01XD doesn't have black color. I am hesitant and thinking of investing an Aurrender as streamer to enhance the body and analogueness as well as a Mutec master clock ( other brands of master clock are all silver) to enhance the details, which will add the price even above N01XD lol. Maybe I should just buy playback Designs but then it doesn't have black color neither, and the MSP5 is half black and half white while the dream dac is dark blue.
Sonically the competitors of Esoteric NO1XD should be Playback Designs and/or Soulnote. I feel playback designs and MSB Discrete are both more analogue with better body, bass and weight note than Esoteric Discrete dac but they are not as big in three dimensionality as Esoteric, even though in terms of stage they are already top notch and better than most flagships. Esoteric has probably the best 3d sound that makes Lumin X1 sound as 2D noticably lacking depth and height in my ab comparison.
But man don't you think the Esoteric N05XD looks sooooo sexy?