NDS CONNECTION TO NAC 552
Posted by: pz on 05 November 2012
Hi Mates,
Which one of the input sockets of the NAC 552 preamplifier should be used to
connect NDS optimally ? CD input ? Input 6 (AUX) ?
Thanks for replies.
Wondering if I should just delete these files and re-rip to NAS. Next challenge is how to delete rips from the HDX - never tried it.
J
I would if all else has failed.
Don't forget to empty the HDX Recycle Bin before ripping again.
CD Here. I use 6 for the HDX. No I don't listen to the HDX but it's hooked up should I need CD replay.
Harry -- why? Isn't it a better idea to hook HDX on NDS and switch NDS digital input whenever you need to spin CD?
Besides the less audio inputs you connect to 552 the less earth contamination you produce.
CD Here. I use 6 for the HDX. No I don't listen to the HDX but it's hooked up should I need CD replay.
Harry -- why? Isn't it a better idea to hook HDX on NDS and switch NDS digital input whenever you need to spin CD?
Besides the less audio inputs you connect to 552 the less earth contamination you produce.
Hi AMA -
That is a good point. I had my Oppo BDP83SE connected to a 552 input (using a Chord Cobra 3 RCA-to-DIN) in order to play the occassional SACD, and avoid a DSD to PCM translation. But my NDS, and even more so my turntable, sounds a little bit better with the Oppo disconnected. As a result, I am now connecting the Oppo via optical to an NDS input. And, perhaps not too surprisingly, I actually prefer the sound this way. More seems to have been gained by moving to the NDS's dac and output stage than was lost by moving to DSD-to-PCM translation.
ATB.
Hook
Because I only use the HDX for ripping and serving. The reason it is plugged into the pre is in case we want to play a CD - which hasn't happened in four years.Sure, we could connect the HDX to the NDS DAC for this, but having used and assessed a variety of digital interconnects in our CDX2/DAC and HDX/DAC days they vary too much and it's an unnecessary expense compared to using the standard SNAIC into the pre. We did do some NDS listening with HDX SNAIC'd into the 552 and disconnected - couldn't hear a difference so went with it.
The only other situation in which the fuller features of the HDX might be pressed into service is in the event that the NDS is out of the rack. It just so happens that the NDS is absent at the moment.
Having pushed bits around through various digital interconnects before we got our NDS, I can't say that it's musically detrimental but it is variable and post NDS I'm very much inclined towards the old Naim philosophy that separate DACs are sub optimal, but for different, subjective and personal reasons.
The little 152/FlatCap feeding off a bare HDX is giving a very good musical account. Of course, it's a long way off the poise, balance,texture and resolution of NDS/555PS/552 but it has reminded me what basic value for money sounds like compared to the balance of cost and value. It's been refreshing and fun. A reminder of why I bought my first Naim box thirteen years ago -because it was such fun to listen to and the novelty never wore off.
Interesting Hook. Had we heard such an effect we would have disconnected the SNAIC to the HDX. In fact, we might not bother when the full system is back, given that we never seem to use the HDX as a source any more. But it doesn't seem to do any harm in our system.