NDX/Unitiserve-SSD vs HDX-SSD

Me again Patrick...  for me the basic NDX gives you a very similar sound to the basic HDX, but when you start to upgrade the power supply to either of them the difference begins to become clear.

By the time you are adding the 555PS, you're hearing more from the NDX/555PS than you are from the HDX/555PS. When I say more, I'm talking about the usual stuff that you hear as you climb the Naim ladder - in a nutshell, more detail, better sound staging... in fact more of what brings that certain smile to your face! (the smile that says "YES... this is what I like to hear").

I also tried an ND5XS power supply - for me little difference to write home about, so you need to start at the XPS level when considering upgrades for the NDX or the HDX (IMHO that is!).

In all honesty, I thought the move to the NDX to be a sideways move, BUT it did prepare me for the NDS when that was launched...  now, the NDS.... that's a whole different ball game and well worth adding to your wish list.

I didn't comment on the place of the DAC in the equation - in fact the DAC would be an upgrade to either NDX or HDX that I would go for before the power supply upgrade - others may disagree.

So... about as useful bit of advice as udders on a bull I guess, so you know what's coming next... "go listen !!"

...and enjoy.

Roger

Roger,

  I have a different view of things, as you might expect, nothing is black and white.

When i added a DAC to my HDX i was less than satisfied, the sound was too cliical and lacked emotion and passion, so i chose to not have a DAC, on the othe hand i did buy the 555DR and adore the improvement it has brought to the HDX

Each to his own i guess!

Me again Patrick...    for me the basic HDX sounds very balanced and neutral (for some people even more neutral than NDX), but there is a slight hardness in the treble; its dac section is probably a bit out-dated. Overall, I think NDX is, with its sweet sound, better. But if you start to upgrade with external dacs, contrary to rfstaines' experience who wrote his upgrades with power supplies, HDX reacts to upgrades with external dacs extremely well.

So... I suggest NDX/US if you are going to use them as stand-alone devices. If you can think of an upgrade with an external dac anytime soon, then go for HDX, which is in fact less expensive than the combo.

Well, yes... "go listen!!" and decide for yourself. Confused? Just remain loyal to your CDS3!

Oh! with Cbr600's reply, it has become even more confusing!

Cbr600, from which year is your HDX, and with which extenal dac did you try your HDX?

To add to the mix - I use HDX, NDAC/555PS and to my ears it outperforms my old CDS3/555PS. G

Aysil,

   My HDX is the 1Tb model, bought from new 3 years ago from Naim main dealer.

Running latest software, etc

The DAC was the Naim DAC again loaned from main dealer. Must be a personal thing, but just sounded too clinical for my taste

Cbr600,

I think you just did not like the sound of nDAC. This is about personal taste and is very understandable and you are not alone!

Agreed

From a couple of sessions of HDX/XPS2 alongside NDX/XPS2 we couldn't identify a difference in presentation. I think the US + NDX combination has a lot of appeal. We did prefer the sound of the DAC on the HDX. Never heard the NDX with one. Lots of possible ways to go depending on what suits your ears best.