USB into NDX + nDAC + XPS vs USB into nDAC + XPS

Posted by: Consciousmess on 11 May 2012

Hi all,

Will the sound be better plugging a USB into the NDX first before being fed into the nDAC and a XPS?

I understand that I have another component in the chain with the NDX put in, but I have also gathered that the amount of jitter received by the nDAC will be less if it comes from the NDX than from the USB.

Now I also understand that the NDX takes three months to warm up, so any listening tests I currently might do are flawed.  Could anyone advise which of these two arrangements should be better??

Many thanks

Jon
Posted on: 11 May 2012 by james n

Jon - the NDX doesn't need 3 months to burn in. It'll be at its best after a couple of weeks so don't worry and I doubt you'll notice this change very much just using the digital output into the nDAC. Does it sound better playing a USB stick, compared to the nDAC ? Try it.

 

You've got a very nice front end there. Just enjoy it and stop worrying. 

Posted on: 11 May 2012 by garyi

Stop Vs-ing things, just play some music!

Posted on: 11 May 2012 by pcstockton

agreed.  You are getting caught up in the minutia.  Differences between things you are asking will be minimal if existent.

 

Go play some music for 3 months.  Then let us know how everything tests out.

 

Cheers!

Patrick

Posted on: 12 May 2012 by HuwJ

If you put a USB stick in your nDAC you will not have any control of the music. It plays in one order. It only really works with one album on one stick.

 

On the other hand, if you put a USB stick (I use 32Gb versions) in your NDX you will have full control of your music via nStream.

 

Regards

Huw

Posted on: 13 May 2012 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Consciousmess:
....listening tests I currently might do are flawed.....

Always true. So don't do any. Go and listen to some music.

Posted on: 13 May 2012 by Consciousmess
I agree with you. It is far better putting the USB straight into the NDX as there is full control.... And the sound is really coming on - I would imagine my NDX has bedded itself in and the originally absent bass is now more pronounced and controlled. I like it! There you go, signs of my appreciation for fine audio. No one has commented much on adding an XPS to the NDX - I have seen comments on adding the nDAC and XPS (in whatever format), but not the NDX direct. Can I ask why? Is that because of the NDS?? Kind regards, Jon