NDX vs Akurate DS....first impression from a dealer

Ralf,

which dealer made this comparison? Did they also check bare NDX vs ADS2? I assume that the ADS2 looses a lot of characteristics when dig out is used (to be honest it will not sound any better that a MDS I assume. A dealer I know is of the opinion that ADS2 bare is significantly better than NDX/NDac.

But in the end we will all have to listen ourselves. Fingers crossed that NDX is the source I want to have as for sure I would lie to have the qualities I know from DS players, combined with the Naim PRAT. That might even make me think about my current preference for my analogue source.

Georg

Hi Georg,
right now, no bare bench between the two...
he also said that MDS&NDAC sounds worse comparing ADS&NDAC... since this is my current setup, i can't wait to hear the two...

Ralf

A bare ADS II vs NDX would be more helpful and please no HDX as a server for NDX in this demo!

quote:

A bare ADS II vs NDX would be more helpful and please no HDX as a server for NDX in this demo!

John, how HDX serving may do any bad to the SQ ?

quote:

He said as well, that the NDX sounds much better than HDX on NDAC.

This is a key question -- I prefer to wait for the customers reports before making the judgments.

@ AMA: A HDX as a server is not bad at all for the sound quality, but bad for my money For me it is rather a question whether to buy HDX or NDX and I guess that most users will think that way... Therefore I am interested how a NDX does sound with a UnitiServe (not really cheap) or a NAS.

quote:

He said as well, that the NDX sounds much better than HDX on NDAC.

It would be better to prevent statements like this, please be a bit more specific...

Regards,
Michel

Hi Michel,

i can't be more specific because i didn't compare the two!
We all have to wait until NDX hits market....

What I was trying to say is that there is a trend developing to declare things on this forum as the best not depending on one's own experiences.

IMHO I see it more often that people don't go to a local retailer anymore and buy stuff without a demonstation using internet. I'd like to encourage people more to go to their dealer, if possible do a demonstration in your own listening room and if you like it, don't bother what others over here might say; go for it!

It's discussed before:

here

Regards,
Michel

quote:

Originally posted by Klout10:
What I was trying to say is that there is a trend developing to declare things on this forum as the best not depending on one's own experiences.

IMHO I see it more often that people don't go to a local retailer anymore and buy stuff without a demonstation using internet. I'd like to encourage people more to go to their dealer, if possible do a demonstration in your own listening room and if you like it, don't bother what others over here might say; go for it!

It's discussed before:

here

Regards,
Michel

100% agree

Is all this not a bit confusing? Hdx not as good as ndx on dac. New ads on naim dac? why this at all?is the bare linn not good enough? why a linn at all then ? Ndx and serve not as good as hdx,but with xps better ,but on dac not as good and so on.

now the possibilities and combination just raising,like lego for adults ? sorry to tell , but naim made me wait for two years with investment and i even feel more confused now.in the end you always ending up with a three box solution to get the presentation you wish.somehow this fact puts me off !

quote:

Originally posted by T38.45:

He said as well, that the NDX sounds much better than HDX on NDAC.

Ralf

This may well be the case but without qualification it’s at best useless and at worst misleading. A dealer should know better. HDX playing through internal HDD? Both players streaming the same file from the same NAS? If the latter I would love to know how that happened but I dare say I’ll be getting my ears on one in due course.

I'll be interested to hear how you get on in the demo and how the gear is hooked up.

quote:

@ AMA: A HDX as a server is not bad at all for the sound quality, but bad for my money

Heard the NDX a few days ago and compared it with a CDS3 and HDX. We also had a 555PS at hand.

HDX (alone) was better than CDS3/555PS
NDX (alone) was better than HDX (alone)
NDX/555PS was better than NDX (alone)

There were NOT small differences!!!
NDX (alone) is a killer for the money, 4k€
And with 555PS it's great!

To clarify, the HDX was the new (modified) SSD version.
HDX, CDS3 and 555PS all properly burned in and had been running for a day = fully warmed up.

Despite a brand new NDX (not burned in) it was a lot better.

And yes Linn Akurate DS is best sounding stand alone = no external DAC used.

@ JanA: What server did you use for the NDX? NAS or the HDX as a server for the NDX?

Did you try ADS II against HDX, NDX or CDS 3?

Could you be more specific? The NDX was better at what? (ex., timing, definition, emotion, truthfulness of instrument timbre, etc.)

Thanks

Jan

quote:

Originally posted by Jan-Erik Nordoen:
Could you be more specific? The NDX was better at what? (ex., timing, definition, emotion, truthfulness of instrument timbre, etc.)

Thanks

Jan

Second here !

Regards,
Michel

Hi Jan,
does a bare ADS sound better than NDX or does it need a 555PS?
Tx
Ralf

quote:

HDX (alone) was better than CDS3/555PS

It does not match my experience -- possibly we value things differently.

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:

quote:

HDX (alone) was better than CDS3/555PS

It does not match my experience -- possibly we value things differently.

(bold emphasis is mine) Which is why it would be more helpful if posters specifically state in what way system A is better than B. Until then, we'll get nowhere.

Jan

Jan I definitely agree with you
In medicine you have so called double blind studies to exclude the influence of the examiner of knowing what (medication) is used.
Probably this influence is also in play when people report how much better x is than y. So before I haven't heard the NDX myself compared to whatever I would not believe anybody telling x is better than y without doing it blindly

Gaudenz

Even so butter is better than margarine

Tog

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
@ JanA: What server did you use for the NDX? NAS or the HDX as a server for the NDX?

Did you try ADS II against HDX, NDX or CDS 3?

1/ Same NAS (stand alone unit) was used for both the NDX and HDX.

2/ No, I did not compared ADSmkII with any of the Naim players. But I compared it with KlimaxDS and they are VERY close. I guess a KDS upgrade is to be expected...

3/ In my ranking of the units "better" = better timing, definition, emotion, truthfulness of instrument timbre: I.e. more PraT and better tune dem

4/ I'm not a dealer. But I have both Linn and Naim equipment and been around almost 30years (started with a LP12/Nait mid 80s)

5/ "alone" = without external PSU (no 555PS connected)

6/ agree, you have to compare yourself.

7/ Compared a 2y old (first version) HDX with CDS3/555PS and HDX was better. And the new HDX SSD is better still.

I hope I answered all questions.

fyi, at home I have a KlimaxDS and hope to compare it with a NCX/555PS when my dealer has the demo unit fully burned in (a couple of months)
Owned the KDS 3years by now and have been very happy with it.

quote:

Originally posted by JanÅ:
7/ Compared a 2y old (first version) HDX with CDS3/555PS and HDX was better. And the new HDX SSD is better still.

WOW. When I last heard the HDX, I wouldn't swap it for my (bare) CDX2!
With the HDX/nDac being roughly the same.