Should I move on?

John, hello.  Read some of the NDS threads here.  I think that you'll read very favorable reviews of the NDS, (and of the NDX in other threads), from those who have owned the CDS3.  I am quite sure that "it's all about the sound" is the philosophy of Naim engineering too.

I can tell you first-hand that putting everything on hard disc, and scrolling the entire music collection on an iPhone or iPad has been a HUGE change for us.  We're all different, but me personally, I cannot imagine any other way of selecting what we want to hear and getting it playing.  Although I don't do playlists, we do 'bounce around' from album to album sometimes, and the quick access from the iDevices makes that possible.  Plus we did NOT want racks and piles of cd's in the listening room (our living room).

Hi John, I'm afraid I can't help you at all on the streaming front but I'd love to hear those ATC's again sometime if your up for it. My own take on it is that I think you would like the sound of the streamers, hell, I even like the sound of my Sonos through a little Rega dac. I don't think you would look back if you make the change.

Sean.

Hi John, I went from the CDS3 to the NDX/NDAC/555PS andhave not looked back. The NDS is an alternate, but so far I have found its balance not as attractive as the NDAC/555PS when used with my ATC speakers. The NDS seems to slightly trade dynamics for a slightly more smooth and brighter sound compared to the NDX/NDAC/555PS. Anyway we are talking subtlties here, either streaming solution is very attractive.

Simon

> But since I became an Apple products junkie I do like the interface and expediency of knocking up playlists, 

In which case Mac Mini -- Supernova 6 --> Naim DAC with your 555PS should do the trick. 

Apple Remote on your iPad and then its dance to the music. 

OK it won't sound as nice as a top vinyl front-end, but it'll be every bit as good as a CDS3. 

I do not have a system as high in the Naim hierarchy as you, but I can offer that my upgrade to NDX with XPS/UServe-SSD was definitely a clear step up from my CDS3. It's more analog sounding with better resolution and dynamics to my ear.  The convenience of access to my library now is amazing! I love creating playlists, and not needing to jump up every time I get an impulse for a different tune - it's really life changing!

Went from CDS3/555ps to HDX, nDac/555PS and it sounds significantly better.  G

I also agree with the general sentiment here. I went from CDS3/XPS to HDX/XPS + nDAC and have not regretted it. Sound quality is at least as good IMHO and my better half and I are listening to more music as it SO much easier to find and select. 

Peter

thanks to all. sounds very encouraging. Time to call Robert then me thinks.I do like the mellower sound of the CDS3 versus the CDX2 and was concerned that these new products would be taking me back in that direction. SeanI have largely been travelling the world this last year and the madness alas continues. however I expect things to slacken off nearer to Xmas so open invite thereafter to come up to the house. Nought changed since you were last here but who knows there could be some new black box(es) by the time we hook up!!

Ta to all, John