ND5XS Review

Posted by: cat345 on 01 December 2011

Nice review of the ND5XS at http://www.enjoythemusic.com/s...aim_audio_nd5_xs.htm

I would like to know if he used the analogue output of the ND5 to an analogue input of the SN or if he use the digital out from the ND5 to the SN dac.

I do not share what he thinks of FM radio and I think the FM module should have being included as this would help eliminate another box from our kits.

Posted on: 01 December 2011 by Chris Shorter

This review has already appeared somewhere else. I got half-way through before realising that I had read it before.

I have to agree with what he says about the FM module. I've owned NAT-01 and 02's but I think internet radio3 on the ND5XS is every bit as good as it ever was from either of them. Anyway, it is academic for me as I now don't live in the UK and am 500 miles out of range of FM radio3, so the internet is the only way.

Posted on: 01 December 2011 by Rich27

It is pretty much word for word (with the odd tweak and amounts converted to US$) the review that appeared in HiFi Choice.

Posted on: 01 December 2011 by cat345

Yeah, I realize this review had appeared someplace before. What I really want to know is if the ND5 dac beats SN own dac.

Chris, I'm a little surprised that you find internet radio3 as good with ND5XS. The FM music station that I mostly listen to over here sounds better with my FM tuner compared to the same station from the internet but it might be due to the low 128kbps bit rate.

Posted on: 01 December 2011 by totemphile

Ought to be better, SN DAC is said to be 5i level, maybe slightly ahead....

SuperUniti with the newly developed pre section and streaming board tops the SN on both fronts, digital and analogue... so I'm told...

Posted on: 01 December 2011 by frankster_666

ND5 DAC is definitely better than SN DAC. SN DAC is IMHO roughly on CD5x level (depends on HC/FC or not and how it is fed). I haven't heard SuperUniti yet.

I don't know if I would invest in FM tuner modul today. Regarding radio I mostly listen to internet radio. There are a few good (and almost commercial free) stations in 320 kbit/s. The amount of commercials makes FM radio not really enjoyable to listen. So I mostly forgo it.