NDX upgrade first XPS2 or Ndac?

Would also suggest to try the XP5XS. Was very surprised by this kit during one of my demo. (it's on my short list for my NDX  

Cheers

The DAC and NDX have a different sonic signature so you need to have a listen to see which suits. Saying that if you like what the NDX does, it really shines with a PSU upgrade. 

James

I did this comparison about a year ago and for me adding the DAC brought a far superior presentation of the music compared with upgrading the PSU on the NDX.  And then upgrading the PSU on the DAC again brought very tangible benefits in soundstage depth and width.

But at the end of the day, I sold my NDX and DAC, and bought an NDS.  For you, LCV, I would recomend the DAC route today.  Follow that when you can with a 555PS driving the DAC and follow that when you can with an NDS replacing NDX/DAC.  This seems the most sensible roadmap to be following, given what's on offer from Naim and given what's likely to be on offer in the forseeable future. 

Bingo!

I'm more moderated about the upgrade that the nDAC brings to the NDX. The NDX alone is already a great player IMO, and I would probably be more tempted to go for a XPS (or better, a 555PS), and swap the NDX for a NDS later (read ASAP).

Bye.

I did a simple cost calculation of the NDX/DAC upgrade path here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...06#24797126388785806

While I can very well understand NDX owners reaching for the DAC for sound quality reasons, it doesn't look like a very cost effective path if your final goal is the NDS.

I agree if your goal is the NDS, the DAC is not the optimum or best sounding path. The NDX->nDAC/555PS and NDS/555PS are both truly fantastic combos, but they do have different presentation styles. The former being more earthy, organic and analogue, whilst the latter being  more about refinement and super fine detail  (IMO). I suggest it might be best to decide which sound you prefer and then decide on the best upgrade path.

For me I just couldn't fall in love with the NDS sound (and I was really wanting to)  so I have remained with the NDX->NDAC/555PS, although I do wish I had less boxes...

PS I am interested to hear if the Reference DAC (should it appear) provides the superfine detail of the NDS coupled with the current DAC''s organic, dynamic  analogue sound.. Fingers crossed

Simon

Simon - I, like you, long for a 'Reference' Dac.  Should we start a separate thread on this? You know more about the technology than I do.....G

Hi Graeme, I may be a little more clued up on the technology than some, but alas know nothing, other than wishful thoughts, regarding the reference DAC, though I believe unless it's a radical redesign, Naim have most of its building blocks already.

Simon

Thank-you for all replays.

today I went to my naim shop and I listen to an identical configuration (supernait+ hicap2, bear NDX and mbl 126) but with a power amplifier (nap 250) and I was astonished by the sound!

So I might by the NAP250 and take more time to think to the xps2 or n dac .

is my idea completely stupid?

ciao

Lorenzo

Lorenzo can you bring that NAP250 home and try it in YOUR home?  If you really like it there, then you'll know

I am a fan of the NDS myself.  And am happy with two boxes, not three (if you add a dac to the NDX, before too long you will think of a power supply for the dac and that will make three boxes).

It's not entirely stupid. I would however suggest that you go back to the Hi-Fi shop and have a listen to the same NAP 250 set-up but with a NAC 282 instead of your Supernait as preamp.

To me, the most important thing about upgrades is what remains after the initial wow effect fades out.

Oh, and why don't you try a Hi-Line interconnect while you're there at it.

Bye.

Lorenzo, if it sounds good to you and you can afford it, it not a stupid idea. However I agree with Bart, best to home audition if you possibly can. Your room and it's furnishings have a big influence on the sound. My expierience of the 250/2 is that it really should be home auditioned, perhaps more so than some other more 'neutral' sounding amps.

Simon

Yes I think I can take the nap 250 to my home and have a try.

I must say that I liked really the sound and I heard very well the difference, The music sounded to me a lot more rich with a lot more detail. As my loudspeaker are not very big I appreciate a big improvement in the low frequency and also in the high.

The NDX was bear I know that it could be better (or different) with a power unit or the Ndac or even with a NDS), but to my hears and my taste the sound was fantastic.

I am not an expert at all in HIFI so I just judge with my ears and my heart!

I brought all my NAIM stuff and MBL loudspeakers for Christmas and I discovered again all my music collection (1800 CD) so I am relatively young to HIFi, in the future I will think about NDS ndac ecc.

Sorry for this stupid question, but what is a Hi-line interconnect?

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/hi-line

Ok I got it! 

should I use this cable to connect the Ndx to the SN right?

does it make a great diference with the standard interconnect cable which came with my NDX?

I don't think the XPS-2 does anything for the NDX. I've had it on for weeks at a time on the NDX and always felt that the music had a lot more bounce to it when I removed the XPS-2.

 I've put it on my ND5XS where it seems to do a lot more. I also enjoyed it a lot on the nDac.

Essentially, the XPS-2 makes the sound a little more refined, laid back, smooth! The ND5XS needs that level of refinement. The NDX doesn't.

Having said that, I'm in line for a DR upgrade on the XPS-2. Maybe that'll do the trick.

Now, the nDac on the other hand shines with the XPS-2 on it. :-)

When I had the nDac, I thought UQ -> nDac/XPS-2 was the best option. I actually liked the UQ as a streamer more than the ND5XS or the NDX. Sure, strange, but true. Maybe it's got the biggest PSU - being amp and all that, so not surprising. Just a top secret. :-)

I would really audition stuff to see what you like. On my side, I miss the nDac already - it's gone for less than a week. However, I just found it dumb to have 3 boxes for a digital source.

If I were you: I would figure out what my end game is: and then just save for it. No point in swapping boxes along the way.

That's my idea too!

I decided to give a try to the NAP 250, as I said I test it with my supernait+hicap2 +bear NDX and I was very pleased with the results.

So I think that if in the future I want to to go for a NDS it's not a good idea to buy a ndac now.