HDX PCI/RAM upgrade

Posted by: Klout10 on 18 July 2013

Hi all,

Currently, I'm the happy owner of an older type of HDX with the 2x 400GB drives and considering an upgrade to a single 2TB drive. I have no interest in the SSD conversion. My HDX has to go to the Naim distributor to perform this update. Therefore I also consider fitting the new PCI audio card and RAM upgrade as well.

I wonder if anybody has experience with this upgrade (new PCI audio card and RAM).

Regards,

Michel

Posted on: 18 July 2013 by Paul Quigley ie

I got my HDX from my dealer and he had this upgrade done. He said the new card improved the sound from the coax and operations were faster with the extra ram.

Posted on: 20 July 2013 by Ikoun

Right. I would add that the sound is generally improved too. More detailed and airy than the first version. This upgrade is worth to do and bring the HDX at another level.

I also moved to the 2Tb version and i would strongly suggest to do it. For me, this version is really better. Generally, with 1 disk, the fan is not turning anymore like before. 2Tb space and the ability to copy directly downloaded music on the internal drive is simply great and avoid every "network troubles" which in many cases can be a big plus.

cheers

Posted on: 21 July 2013 by Claus-Thoegersen

I wonder if this is the same upgrade that can be done to my 2011 ns01? I asked if Naim thought it would improve digital out, but the answer was probably not, but of course the card for hdx can be different.

Claus

Posted on: 22 July 2013 by Mr Underhill

Claus,

I have the PCI card in a box on my shelf - which is where it has stayed since I bought it, at the time of getting my NS01.

I've enjoyed the sound enough that I have not installed it - but I might have a look at it this weekend.

Trouble is that before and after comparisons, with > a few minutes between, are frequently just subjective wishful listening!

Posted on: 23 July 2013 by rhr

I had mine done at the time it came out, so can't remember the cost. I couldn't hear any obvious difference in sound output to my DAC, but I couldn't do a side by side comparison.

I do feel it's worth doing for a couple of reasons; to maintain resale value and I not wanting the lack of the extra RAM to prevent further upgrades to the software. It is after all a windows PC under the lid and more RAM is hopefully going to make it faster and spin the hard drive less often.

Rich

Posted on: 24 July 2013 by Claus-Thoegersen

Originally Posted by Mr Underhill:

Claus,

I have the PCI card in a box on my shelf - which is where it has stayed since I bought it, at the time of getting my NS01.

I've enjoyed the sound enough that I have not installed it - but I might have a look at it this weekend.

Trouble is that before and after comparisons, with > a few minutes between, are frequently just subjective wishful listening!

Agreed about the problem testing. With this modification it can only really be done with known tracks. If it improves digital replay it would be a nice affordable upgrade, so it would be nice if you can take the time to test it.

Claus