ND5XS - Absolutely Awesome

I have just sold my aging Linn Ikemi CD player and intend to replace it with a digital streaming device, for which I have already set up a NAS and ripped my CD's (FLAC) in preparation.

I have already had number of streamers on home dem and prefer the sund of Naim in my otherwise all ATC system (SCA2 pre-amp and SCM50ASL loudspeakers).

My wife and I found the Linn Akurate at £4.5K to sound too clinical for our tastes and actually prefered the warmer sound of the Naim ND5XS (£1.9K) - despite the price difference. Yes, it was probably slightly more detailed in some areas but certainly not as much fun to listen to, as the warmer and more musical sounding Naim.

We are now comparing the ND5XS to it's bigger brother - the NDX (albeit a pre 24/192 version)

To be totally honest, we are really strruggling to tell much of a difference - which probably speaks volumes about the fantastic sound from the ND5XS

HiFi Choice recently reviewed the ND5XS and wrote;

“It must be said that the £2,995 NDX has the edge over the ND5XS in sound quality terms, but most people will find their performances are very close: there are certainly no glaring night and day differences”

Which actually echoes our findings, supported by another family member, who also struggles to tell them apart.

I must concede that there is perhaps a little more bass from the NDX and at times it probably is very slightly clearer in some areas - but £1K is a big jump, for what in our opinion seems subleties.

Now are we missing something or is the ND5XS simply a stunning machine which gives he NDX a good run for its money (so to speak)?

I also wondered whether the new 24/192 upgrade circuit board in the NDX may improve the sound quality and allow us to clearly hear differences

At this moment in time, the ND5XS seems to be the obvious choice for our ATC system.

However, I would appreciate some opnions from other ND5/NDX users before making the final purchase decision.

Incidentally, we tried the Naim DAC but feel that a streamer is best suited for our needs at the moment

I look forward to seeing comments from other users

I simply have no hesitation in recommending others to audition the ND5 - it's awesome!