hdx better than cdx2 ?

The German STEREOPLAY just reviewed the HDX and with ripped CDs it got as many points as a CDS 3.
With high resolution files even more points.

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
The German STEREOPLAY just reviewed the HDX and with ripped CDs it got as many points as a CDS 3.
With high resolution files even more points.

It goes to show you what HiFi magazines have to say - their opinion seems contrary to many of the reports posted here by those who have listened to one.

Gregg
(CDS3 owner)

@ glevethan: I do not believe in Hifi magazines. Otherwise I should have bought the Akurate DS
I only trust my ears and my ears told my that by comparison the CDX 2 is way ahead of a Linn Akurate DS (with the same ripped CDs) in a full Naim system. And the same ears tell me that I think my HDX is ahead of my CDX 2 in a full Naim system - otherwise I would have not spent the money on it.

I have heard the HDX with a 555PS and I think it is better than a CD555. A new dawn and it makes me wonder if I really need a Superline.

/Erik

quote:

Originally posted by Erik:
I have heard the HDX with a 555PS and I think it is better than a CD555. A new dawn and it makes me wonder if I really need a Superline.

/Erik

You need new ears

@ munch: I do not think that Erik needs new ears! Last weekend I heard the HDX with a XPS 2 at my dealer and although the HDX alone is amazing it gets even better with a XPS 2. To me the HDX/XPS 2 seems to be superior to what I remember from a CDS 3/XPS 2 demo. May be since I prefer the rather precise voicing of the HDX, but what I heard is as good as it gets with digital play black in my oppinion.

But you should not care about the HDX since you seem to have found something even better for your personal use and listening is very subjective. So please accept that there is a growing number of people who are convinced HDX users.

Before buying my HDX I tried PC into a Krell DAC and there are a lot of variables: Different CD/DVD drives used for ripping always sounded different although I used EAC (after trying out several other ripping programs) and the software used for playing back my WAV files sounded always different although all of the used programs were "neutral" - no volume control used and no upsampling, no oversampling, pp

To my the HDX is a great one box solution (may be a two box solution soon by adding a XPS 2 )which avoids all of the above mentioned problems/variables and I really appreciate this.

From my very own experience after long hours of trying out different PC solutions I know how much everything influences the sound and therefore I can only smile when it is stated that MAC and DAC sounds so good when none of the settings is mentioned. With the "wrong" ripping program and the "wrong" software a good CD can sound like a poor MP 3. PCs are always different sounding depending on their power supplies, the motherboard, the chipset used, the soundcard, pp and this is only the hard ware... And although I have no experience with MAC I know that not all MACs are the same. A G 4 is surely different from a Mini, pp

Do not get me wrong: I know how good a PC/DAC combination is able to sound and I know that studio DACs sound good and are rather cheap by hifi standards, but I now how good a HDX can sound, too. And to me the HDX is nothing other than a PC with an excellent ripping process, a great user interface and what I love most - great Naim sound at the DIN output and all this is packed in a nice box which looks great in my rack.

So in the end I think that all should accept that the Naim solution is great and so is the PC/MAC/DAC combination, too, when done right.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

quote:

Originally posted by Erik:
I have heard the HDX with a 555PS and I think it is better than a CD555. A new dawn and it makes me wonder if I really need a Superline.

/Erik

You need new ears

Or You might need an more open mind

I am not bothered if people like the HDX or not.
People are free to make up there own minds but his comment that it sounds better than a CD555 is what made me say he needs new ears because it does not by a long long way.
Even Naim dont make claim's like that.
Munch

quote:

Originally posted by Erik:

quote:

Originally posted by munch:

quote:

Originally posted by Erik:
I have heard the HDX with a 555PS and I think it is better than a CD555. A new dawn and it makes me wonder if I really need a Superline.

/Erik

You need new ears

Or You might need an more open mind

My mind is well open and i have heard a lot of cd555's and the HDX .
Its no where near as good as a CD555.
Sorry but you do need new ears even if your mind is open.

Luckily, we live in a free world. I have had the Cd555 for a couple of years in my humble system and so have a friend. I heard the NS01 in his system and was thrilled of the "rightness". The HDX with a PS555 added made me forget about CD-players and realize that HD based players is the future. I have sold my trippel5 and my only concern is if I should wait for a "HDS" or buy the HDX.

/Erik

great ..finally something happens on the hdx front discussion...

i am looking forward to hear one...hopfully soon...


still once again...can a hdx be powered by an xps 1 with an burndy ( not s- burndy ) ?

Moved to "Lavry presentation

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Erik:
I have heard the HDX with a 555PS and I think it is better than a CD555./QUOTE]

During the Naim Summer Promotion I've heard the combination HDX/555PS as well. It sounded absolutely fan-tas-tic! I've never heard the CD555 myself, but the person from Latham who did the demo mentioned he did the comparison. He told me they were both in the same league!

No need for new ears though, Erik!

Regards,
Michel

Well he needs new ears aswell.
Because they are not in the same league.
Munch

quote:

Because they are not in the same league.

What HDX/555PS is even better - wow now you've made me want one.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Because they are not in the same league.

What HDX/555PS is even better - wow now you've made me want one.

I'm fascinated on the variability of the reporting on this one! NAIM have clearly tuned the HDX considerably since its first rounds earlier this summer.

IMHO needs to be at the level where HDS/555 where it is clearly challenging the 555. It's price / performance, considering build quality and NAIM's after sales service, then make it quite attractive.

It also hold out the hope that the subsequent HDS will provide a new level of performance.

At present I'm content to dabble with computer audio, once my Lavry arrives - and wait to see the the above predictions come to pass.


Cheers

Richard

do naim have an opinion as to where hdx sits in relation to naim cd players?

ok its going to be one of those round about answers sorry, in my case I have a full LP12 rig,a 555 with x2 555ps and the hdx with a 555ps, well I would wouldnt I?
I use all three sources, I have some great records I always play on the Linn no cd versions, some great cd's almost always played on the 555, the hdx I use for hi-res music files which are amazing I think, and for bringing music from other places around the home and for my family, playlists are great for many uses, parties are just wonderful with the hdx so you can see for me its more about how you listen to music, when and who with.
On hi-res the hdx takes some beating after all you cannot play them on the lp12 and 555.

quote:

Originally posted by 151:
do naim have an opinion as to where hdx sits in relation to naim cd players?

When asked at the Summer Show - the bare player was described by one of the Naim team as "between CDX2 and CDX2/XPS2", using rips of the same CDs.

Seemed about right when we then heard it.

I haven't heard one in a domestic situation. I'd like to, and compare it with other server type options. If anyone has one in the SE and fancies shooting it out - let me know. Buyer's of it don't appear to have compared it to anything other than Naim's own CDPs, so far. Dealer's seem reticent about comparisons with the Linn solutions (where they sell both), unless I've missed any posts along those lines.

Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S1:
Dealer's seem reticent about comparisons with the Linn solutions (where they sell both), unless I've missed any posts along those lines.

Steve

Well they would wouldn't they It wouldn't be the greatest career move ever to express an open opinion on a public forum would it?

Gary

dbl's active 3x500.
I would maybe wish to keep records if only they kept making them. I love new music so its tough

@ Steve S 1:

Short before the production HDX came out I compared CDX 2 to Linn Akurate DS in a full Naim system. I was very curious due to all the good reviews of the Linn DS products. It took me and the dealer about 5 seconds to hear that the CDX 2 is far superior than the Akurate DS. And the following tracks showed that the very first impression was right. That demo made my think that streaming might not be the way to go. Then came the HDX and a comparison to the CDX 2 in a full Naim system showed to me that the HDX is the way for me to go. I do not want to repeat here again why I think that the HDX is better than the CDX 2. What really makes the HDX sing are high resolution files (24 bit) via USB memory stick. But do not get me wrong, the HDX is fantastic wit Redbook CDs, too. The latter is very important for me due to the fact that most of my music collection is CD.

Hi John,

To be fair, Naim's guys were talking about ripped CDs. I'm sure you are right about 24bit, but then I've heard that on a number of DACs etc. It certainly shows all but the very best of CD recordings a thing or two. But I get the feeling that it's more because all demo 24 bit stuff is superbly mastered.

You wait and see if the mainstream get it. Shabby masterings will still sound bloody awful in 24bit.

Regards,

Steve

This is the first time since I have been a member of any forum that I have been interested in a new format/product and I find the comments in these "Distributed Audio" threads fascinating but also a bit disturbing.

I too have compared the Linn Accurate DS to the various Naim CD players and contrary to John R's comments above, I absolutely loved it. In my opinion it simply wiped the floor with all but the very top end players and certainly left the CDX2 sounding a very poor second.

The Linn was so smooth and very captivating and had none of the courseness associated with CD replay. I have an LP12/Ittok/lingo, so maybe I am more accustomed to the Linn sound, but nevertheless I struggle to understand some of the comments made on here.

How can we all disagree so much?, unless the demo equipment was poorly set up? This is the only explaination I can find. I know the Linn has had a recent software upgrade, but both the auditions I've had so far were using units prior to this, so this doesn't explain it.

I haven't heard the HDX in a proper demo yet, only at one of the Summer Sounds events, but from what I heard at that particular event, it didn't really leave me wanting to hear it again. Then again there is talk of the production units being better, well they certainly need to be to even come close to the Linn.

I've now sold my trusty CDX/XPS and it will soon be decision time. I'm just waiting for Naim to sort out my 52/SC which is in for repair and then I will be able to concentrate on finding a new source.

Gary