HDX audio review
Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 17 February 2009
I've been testing an HDX for the last 3 weeks, and thanks to those who have helped me get set up. I thought I'd try to post an 'audio review' rather than focus on the technical stuff. I could not find a lot of people posting recently on sound performance aspects. I'd be interested if others agree with my conclusions. My dealer seems to.
System= HDX+XPS, NAC52+ Supercap, SNAXO + HiCap, 2 x 140 and SBL's
I have swapped out my CDS3 for the HDX. I have not tried the HDX without the XPS.
If you don't want to read all the review then this is the summary; the HDX is extremely good, a worthy comparison at the level of the CDS3 but I think quite different in sonic character to this and other Naim CDP's.
The long version. For goodness sake let any test HDX warm up properly, and ensure it is not fresh from the box. I know Naim stuff always needs this but the HDX seems to have changed more during run-in then any other component I can recall.
The overall character of the HDX is quite subtle. It manages to convey a quite astonishing degree of detail, undeniably more than my CDS3 on some CD's. However it presents it all in a very unfussy and integrated way. It never shouts, more draws you into the music as a complete and balanced picture. It sounds very 'fresh' and clean but it definitely has a weightier bass than the CDS3 and the overall tonal presentation is somehow fuller. The bass is not slow or fat, and don't for a moment think it is overwhelming but my SBL's have revealed hidden depths this week. The top end is very clean and pacy but never shrill. When the music gets gritty it can sound as sharp and textured as you want but it sounds great with choral music which has a lovely rolling depth and shimmer, especially at greater volumes.
The CDS3 scores in a few areas. It has greater pace and energy, most noticeable comparing at lower volumes. The bass detail (rather than emphasis) is maybe slightly greater but the sheer PRaT (at least I think that is what it is) can make the HDX sound a little restrained alongside. The treble end on the CDS3 also has a crystal clarity that the HDX just falls short of, but with poor recordings this can almost become shrill on the CDS3. In fact in general I prefer the HDX when the music is louder or busier. I also think the CDS3 does something rather special with voices, that wonderful naturalness (when I first bought it I used the word 'gracefulness') that I never heard with any other CDP. The HDX is close but not quite there; it may be still improving but I think the CDS3 had this straight from the box.
It is noticeable that the HDX somehow freshens poor recordings in a way that the CDS3 does not. Perhaps this is the effect of a bit perfect rip but some CDs I thought were just bad productions sound a lot better on the HDX. I'm also very impressed how bog-standard iTunes or Amazon downloads sound through the HDX via a memory stick and the USB port. They are good enough that you can just get on and enjoy the music and are never distracted by dynamic shortcomings. I used to burn some iTunes download albums to a CD and play them on the CDS3. The HDX/USB route is not just easier but it sounds better.
So my conclusion is that the HDX has very significant sonic ability, but it is quite different. Against a CDS3 you may find it a tad polite. You might want the greater energy of the CDS3. It lacks a few of the CDS3's attributes but it replaces them with others, a weightier presentation, a slightly more relaxing sound at high volumes and a lovely balanced detailed sound. It always sounds interesting and fundamentally enjoyable. If you are testing an HDX it is worth a good long listen, I recall the CDS3 instantly grabbing me but the HDX reveals its qualities more over time and with a variety of music played. My memory tells me it is way ahead of the CDX/XPS I used to own. It still sounds like a Naim product but perhaps with its weightier and slightly less dynamic character it is a move away from the purest 'flat earth' sound? Maybe. I wonder if it is designed to be more palatable to those not just searching for the typical 'Naim sound'. Maybe.
I'd be interested how this compares with other's experiences. I still also have some issues with the functionality (and I have found three albums which it will not rip, the last three Wilco releases so something odd is going on there) but overall I'm impressed. It will be staying.
Bruce
System= HDX+XPS, NAC52+ Supercap, SNAXO + HiCap, 2 x 140 and SBL's
I have swapped out my CDS3 for the HDX. I have not tried the HDX without the XPS.
If you don't want to read all the review then this is the summary; the HDX is extremely good, a worthy comparison at the level of the CDS3 but I think quite different in sonic character to this and other Naim CDP's.
The long version. For goodness sake let any test HDX warm up properly, and ensure it is not fresh from the box. I know Naim stuff always needs this but the HDX seems to have changed more during run-in then any other component I can recall.
The overall character of the HDX is quite subtle. It manages to convey a quite astonishing degree of detail, undeniably more than my CDS3 on some CD's. However it presents it all in a very unfussy and integrated way. It never shouts, more draws you into the music as a complete and balanced picture. It sounds very 'fresh' and clean but it definitely has a weightier bass than the CDS3 and the overall tonal presentation is somehow fuller. The bass is not slow or fat, and don't for a moment think it is overwhelming but my SBL's have revealed hidden depths this week. The top end is very clean and pacy but never shrill. When the music gets gritty it can sound as sharp and textured as you want but it sounds great with choral music which has a lovely rolling depth and shimmer, especially at greater volumes.
The CDS3 scores in a few areas. It has greater pace and energy, most noticeable comparing at lower volumes. The bass detail (rather than emphasis) is maybe slightly greater but the sheer PRaT (at least I think that is what it is) can make the HDX sound a little restrained alongside. The treble end on the CDS3 also has a crystal clarity that the HDX just falls short of, but with poor recordings this can almost become shrill on the CDS3. In fact in general I prefer the HDX when the music is louder or busier. I also think the CDS3 does something rather special with voices, that wonderful naturalness (when I first bought it I used the word 'gracefulness') that I never heard with any other CDP. The HDX is close but not quite there; it may be still improving but I think the CDS3 had this straight from the box.
It is noticeable that the HDX somehow freshens poor recordings in a way that the CDS3 does not. Perhaps this is the effect of a bit perfect rip but some CDs I thought were just bad productions sound a lot better on the HDX. I'm also very impressed how bog-standard iTunes or Amazon downloads sound through the HDX via a memory stick and the USB port. They are good enough that you can just get on and enjoy the music and are never distracted by dynamic shortcomings. I used to burn some iTunes download albums to a CD and play them on the CDS3. The HDX/USB route is not just easier but it sounds better.
So my conclusion is that the HDX has very significant sonic ability, but it is quite different. Against a CDS3 you may find it a tad polite. You might want the greater energy of the CDS3. It lacks a few of the CDS3's attributes but it replaces them with others, a weightier presentation, a slightly more relaxing sound at high volumes and a lovely balanced detailed sound. It always sounds interesting and fundamentally enjoyable. If you are testing an HDX it is worth a good long listen, I recall the CDS3 instantly grabbing me but the HDX reveals its qualities more over time and with a variety of music played. My memory tells me it is way ahead of the CDX/XPS I used to own. It still sounds like a Naim product but perhaps with its weightier and slightly less dynamic character it is a move away from the purest 'flat earth' sound? Maybe. I wonder if it is designed to be more palatable to those not just searching for the typical 'Naim sound'. Maybe.
I'd be interested how this compares with other's experiences. I still also have some issues with the functionality (and I have found three albums which it will not rip, the last three Wilco releases so something odd is going on there) but overall I'm impressed. It will be staying.
Bruce