ND5 XS vs. Squeezebox Touch

Don't know if this will be helpful, but a UnitiQute sounded considerably better than my older SBT with CI Audio linear supply, into my Supernait's DAC. Music source is a Vortexbox.

It seems like a waste of a good DAC in the ND5X to use it as a SBT replacement. I would wait until Naim brings out a DAC-less streamer.

thanks. considerably means I should give it a try. i briefly checked naims app and wasn't impressed. compared to iPeng it was rather good. 

a dacless streamer would be the way to go. are there roumors that it is on its way?

Hi Sailorck.

I have a squeezebox duet and radio around the house and they are great. I also used to have the Logitech Transporter feeding my Naim system. This was their top end streamer and again very good.

However Having replaced it with the ND5XS I can say that I have been enjoying listening to music even more. It gives a more defined bass with more overall detail. For me, it conveys the music in a more involving way. Not a direct comparison with the squeezebox Touch, but I hope that helps?

There are rumours, nothing more unfortunately... The suggestion to use a UnitiQute may be the better option as, if and when a DAC-less streamer arrives, then you can use the Qute as a second system (it's more versatile than the ND5X).  

I tend to invest into a txps for my DAC now and wait for two more years and see what is happening on the streamer market. i might demo a nd5 xs in the meantime...just to try it out. I did not consider the qute, so thanks for the hint. 

I plan to do the same comparison, having a SBT (software tweaked and digital out into SN) and and wanting to upgrade with either nDAC or ND5XS. Unfortunately I struggle to get both for demo at the same time in my part of the world, so first hand feedbacks would be very useful!

I likewise go SBT digital in to SN DAC - can someone expound on these software tweaks please?

The SBT is a little nice device and allows a lot of tweaks, all of them finalised to reduce the burden on the machine for un-used functions. For example, one should use the SBT wired and switch off the wifi module...also, the screen can be set to go sleep and analog section can se dis-activated if only digital out is used. Other mods maximise the output rate, bringing it up to 24/192. 

You'll find details here: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue61/logitech.htm

If I were you (with your optimized SBT) I would give a PSU on nDAC a serious look. No doubt a bare nDAC is great but a PSU (such as TXPS, XPS2 or even s/h 555ps) on its analogue section will bring everything more to the table than swapping the transports. 

I think the Unitiqute lacks a digital output, which makes using it as a digital transport somewhat tricky mr monkey.

Hi there,

Apparently the unitiqute does have a digital out and I've heard of quite a few people who use it as a good value streamer into the ndac despite issues of redundancy. 

Atb, Robert

You believe something like that will come?

Within such a box will be only a small PCB and a little bit more.

Would increase the number of products.

If it would be an addition to a product as the DAC-V1 a product / productline such as NAC-N 172 XS doesn't make sense.

Oh whoops missed that. How does it sound into the DAC compared to ND5 or NDX? (given that it's more expensive than the NDX in this way)?

Your assignment for this week : memorize the following chart. Quiz next Wednesday 

All right, thanks for sharing again :-)

I will need to have a look into UnitiQute. Seems like you can just deactive the speakers according to the owners manual, so it could make sense to add it as a streamer/radio to my current setup. Anyway, will order TXPS in September for my nDAC. 555PS is too expensive. I am not willing to pay more money for a PSU than for my amp or speakers.