NDX / nDAC / 555PS - Here's a question

Posted by: AllenB on 14 November 2011

I have been checking out the ND5 against the NDX as part of my system rearrangement, but more about that in another report for the future. During this I have had cause to move the 555PS to the NDX rather than the generally recommended powering of the output stages which is in the nDAC in this set up. So the 555PS is effectively powering the digital section of the NDX through to the dig out and the nDAC relies on it's internal PSU, albeit connected with a Powerline. Well, it's quite a revelation, the dig out of the NDX now churns out some remarkable tunes, whilst the nDAC does suffer from a loss of bass control in comparison to when powered by the 555PS. Not a bad loss, just a very noticeable loss.

 

So this lead me to muse. The 555PS was originally designed to power the CD555 on two separate rails, one for the analogue output stages and the other for the digital sections. Maybe this is a question that can only be answered by Naim, but I'll throw it out there for comment. Would it not be possible for Naim to produce a custom burndy cable specifically for this set-up, i.e. the digital rail and new burndy cable would power the digital section of the NDX, and the analogue rail and it's burndy (the SXPS) powers the nDAC output stages? The nDAC as designed would still need a power cable to it's digital section as one does now anyway. But, this would give this set up a top-notch supply to both units.