ND5XS vs NDX, anyone compared both?

Why not listen to them yourself? After all, it's the best review out there...

Agree with TP

Reviews are only useful to tell you about the features/technology. 

Only you can decide what sounds best. 

I'd value your opinion much more as a music lover than the opinion of hi-fi reviewer who a) has his mates in the industry and b) wants to sell copy. Most reviewers chop and change kit so much that I'm not sure if they know what they are listening to. 

Subjective reviews are not much help as if you are like me then you want a system that sounds great for you, not simply one a reviewer you'll never even meet likes. 

I think an inexpensive streamer or CD transport in to the Naim DAC sounds better than NDX, but what I can't say is whether you would think the same.

The NDX and I'm sure the ND5 XS (not heard it yet) are very good bits of kit.  

if you have the dac then the two will be the same at the dig out .ps i have one of the first ndac and have the 5x well over a week. save you self 1000£

The problem is both the ND5XS and NDX are very good. If you didn't compare them with each other side by side you'd probably love either one just as much. Any perceived differences are always in relation to a third, fourth and/or fifth variable, e.g. your pre/power amp combination or integrated amp, your speakers and personal taste. They may actually be very small in some cases. So when someone here on the forum says one product is better, what does that actually mean? Not much, it only means that that person liked in more in his system, based on his own taste, put in context of his own priorities and expectations/demands of what he wants. You may be completely different. You may listen to the ND5XS and love it. Why then buy the NDX just because someone finds it better? There is no end to better, welcome to Naim. Best you can do is listen to both yourself in the system you have or plan to buy and base your decision on your own findings.

I think we are reporting what we think, but emphasising to the OP that is only our subjective view.

I think the Naim DAC is superb, whereas I don't think the NDX has its magic. 

I think it is good product, but not on the level of the DAC. 

When you read reviews in magazines; the first part (excluding the bit where the review spouts the usual nonsense about the wonders of valve amplifiers even if not reviewing one) is often informative though you can usually get the same information from the manufacturers web site. However, the latter part is a subjective review written in hi-fi terminology (in my view it gives no clue as whether the reader will like the product). Once again, in my opinion some products which are fairly mediocre get iconic status in reviews almost as glowing as the views expressed in their own full page advertisements in the same magazine. 

So yes I can say that I think a Vortexbox is the best music storage device around. If 44.1/16 up-sampled to 88.2/24 is what you like to do with your bitstreams then the W4S Sonos is a wonderful feed the Naim DAC and a bare NDX doesn't come close. I can eulogise that if you have a small home office then a Naim UQ with some Eclipse speakers is the best sound system I have heard around a computer and so it goes ..... 

But there will not be universal agreement with my views. So whilst it is fun to read the many assorted views hereon and there is much useful information shared, ultimately a forum and least of all a hi-fi reviewer should not be a significant factor in judgement of SQ.

It is useful on things like build quality and service, which is why I'm unrepentant in describing one well reviewed TT, as mediocre. Its pod fell apart and .... 

So if the question is what do you guys think about NDX and ND5XS then let's go for it, but the use of Vs. implies that the question is What's better? Well that is is easy to answer. The one that is better  for the OP is the one he finds to be the more enjoyable to use and listen to music on.  

My views on preferences are honest are honest, but they are only views. 

All the best, Guy

Allen,

I wasn't but thinking about it you're probably right, if everyone just went for auditions and didn't bother asking or reporting here on the forum it'd be a pretty boring place to hang out. Which reminds me, I need to head over to the HiFi Corner and finally finish off my account of the 252 

See ya

tp

+1

I'm looking forward to it

What's the rest of your system?

The DAC in the SuperNait is below ND5XS level and the NDX should be well ahead of the ND5XS. It all depends what your own expectations are and what level you aim at, what money you are willing to spend.

I got sidetracked with another thread and then it was too late to start my write up. I'll have time this weekend though and will do it then.

tp

Nice to hear tp. I thoroughly enjoyed the thread and am really looking forward to the final (?) instalment.

Actually chaps, the answer to the OP's original question is - Malcolm Steward. (who else?)

I think he wrote something along the lines of 'the ND5XS does most of what the NDX does such that most people won't notice much difference'.  I haven't heard the ND5XS, but having listened to the NDX I can imagine the differences... and would probably be just as happy with the XS.

Just listened to both of them at the local dealer listening room. My subjective feelings:

NDX - very first impression: less dynamic, more analogue, smooth, natural, full of harmonix ... hi end !

ND5XS - very first impression: more dynamic, a bit harsh, could be annoying in the long run 

Source music: various resolution (44.1, 88.2, 96, 176.2, 192khz) music files (classical, jazz, rock).

Interestingly ND5XS failed to play correctly 88.2 & 176.2 files (music + repeatable white noise distortions) . NDX played corectly all but one 88.2 (refused to play 176.2 by obvious reasons).

The only case where my (first) impression was in favour of ND5XS - Metallica. After repeated listen

I was not sure. Looks like ND5XS emphasises lows and highs at the cost of middle spectrum.

Obviously needs longer listening at home for final conclusion (better sound vs. extra $$$).  

Allen - where are you? You insight and thorough review is needed 

Ditto..... and by the way with a nDAC and 555ps stuck on the end please if you don't mind!

Are there any difference in functionality between the two? Am I missing something?

Allen,

Glad you got the chance to do the comparison; shame that you did find these differences, for lots of people, but shows that you do get what you pay for. Dammit.

M

Allan

Thank you for such a careful and informative write up. To get a sense of proportion, I'd be interested to know how the difference between bare ND5 XS and bare NDX compares to difference made by adding nDAC to NDX.

Thanks alot for your post Allen, it was as enthralling as always. As you say it shouldn't be a great surprise that the hierarchy is maintained but as you comment what a great pity that the 555 can't dual feed the digital/analogue outs, what a killer that might be!