nDAC+CD5xs vs NDX?

Posted by: mutterback on 29 December 2012

I've been holding off getting a high end streaming solution for awhile. I was finally able to listen to an nDAC + CD5xs and was blown away. Unfortunately, there was no ND5 of NDX to compare it to, only an NDS+555PS - which was totally amazing, and totally out of my budget. Doubtful I can find a dealer here in the US with all options in house.

 

It makes sense that the Nd5 and CD5 are comparable in quality (any comments?) I'm not super excited about dropping money on a ND5 just for streaming, I'd like a step up in SQ from my CD5xs, which I love.  The nDAC did amazing things for the CD5xs - so I can see real value there. It also seems more flexible and more of an upgrade in the long run.

 

Any thoughts on where the NDX sits in terms of sound quality vs. the nDAC+ a good source?

 

Is the NDX the best of both worlds ~ streaming, plus better SQ than my current CD player?

 

Posted on: 29 December 2012 by Honeyquince
I've read that there is only a subtle tho noticeable difference between the  nd5 and the ndx. Further as the ndac is listed as an upgrade to the ndx then an nd5 + ndac should be at least an equal to the ndx if not an improvement on it. However this is not based on a listen and I'm sure others here will have a more informed opinion.

All the best,
Robert
Posted on: 29 December 2012 by Edouard

 "The nDAC did amazing things for the CD5xs - so I can see real value there. It also seems more flexible and more of an upgrade in the long run."

 

You could purchase the nDAC which did amazing things on your CD5XS, and a UnitiQute as a streamer.

I was blown away with the Qute as a streamer source on my 552/300, considering that my reference source is a CDS3/555PS!

In your system the Qute and your CD5XS will be connected to the nDAC, which should give you even better results! The nDAC will upgrade both your sources : the CD5XS and the Qute

Mind you, the Qute alone, as a streamer is truly amazing, not to mention the i.radio and fm radio!

 

Regards,

Edouard

Posted on: 29 December 2012 by Pev

If you want to keep using CDs as well as stream then the nDAC will stream from a PC or MAC of pretty much any type and the sound will be up there with dedicated streamers at very little cost. It would be interesting to hear how the sound compares between the 2 sources - some on here rate PC +  nDAC  up there with CDS3.

Posted on: 29 December 2012 by Guido Fawkes

Naim DAC sounds significantly better than NDX to me ... You can feed it with any half decent digital transport and it will sound superb. I use a Mac Mini. 

 

 CD5XS is a very decent transport.

Posted on: 29 December 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

The Naim DAC is quite a level of performance up from the NDX, and it's full potential is unlocked by seperate PSUs. The 555PS on the DAC is a superb source than betters the NDS/555PS in several areas IMO.

The NDX's inbuilt DAC implementation is good, and is upgradeable with PSUs but i have found has less impact than with the Naim DAC. Side by side it's night and day between the NDX and NDAC, but the NDX provides an appealing fairly smooth sound with moderate dynamics and fair imaging and with good bass weight, it's avery easy sound to partner equipment to.  The Naim DAC especially with the 555PS is insightful and accurate sounding(analogue)  with incredible detail and transients to die for. Imaging is good, and the bass extension and energy is phenomenal with an open unfiltered top end.. It producesa lot of information across the frequency spectrum if present in the recording so downstream components can become important especially speakers.

 

So you might want start with the NDX. Add a PSU at a later date, and then if you stll want more add the Naim DAC and tranfer the PSU to the DAC.

 

My only hesitation of using the NDX as a DAC is its limited number of digital inputs.

 

Simon

Posted on: 29 December 2012 by IanG

Going back to one of your early points.....

 

i went to demo a CD5XS to replace my CD5i-2 and came away with an ND5XS. comparing the two bare (no external PSU) the streamer far out performed the CDP. Adding an external DAC would probably be a leveller but I should also say that adding the XP5XS to the ND5 brought further significant improvement.

 

just my two pennies worth