XP5XS or XPS2 for ND5 XS
Posted by: RichardD on 18 September 2013
Bought the ND5XS in the summer running through a SN/ Hicap. for a budget of £1000-1200 would a fairly new/ Ex dem XP5XS be a better buy for me than say a 8-10 year old XPS2- and get serviced later?
In the context of my set up would there be much difference in going for the XPS2 or is the XP5xs better suited.
Bought the ND5XS in the summer running through a SN/ Hicap. for a budget of £1000-1200 would a fairly new/ Ex dem XP5XS be a better buy for me than say a 8-10 year old XPS2- and get serviced later?
In the context of my set up would there be much difference in going for the XPS2 or is the XP5xs better suited.
Good post Richard.
I am very interested in this query as I will adding one or the other at some future time.
Jason.
Since you have a SN, I would save up for a NDX - I'm guessing you bought the ND5XS s/h?
For a ND5XS, I would go for it's natural partner, the XP5XS.
Hello Richard,
Where do you see yourself going? For me, there wasn't enough difference in sq to warrant a switch from a ND5 to NDX. A good power supply is one of the foundations of Naim upgrades but I haven't heard the XP5. I do know the XPS2 very well and would probably recommend that. There seems to be quite a few available at good prices. Try to find one 6-8 y/o and enjoy for a few years.
Arun
The old XPS-2 does not have the DR regulator, the XP5 XS does.....no brainer!
The old XPS-2 does not have the DR regulator, the XP5 XS does.....no brainer!
......errr......does it?? G
does it?
I thought it didn't?
No.
The XP5XS does not have the DR stuff - I guess the DR isn't trickling down to the XS series yet - the NaitXS doesn't have it either.
Hi Richard,
i have gone down the XPS-2 route,
the sound is much fuller than without and as the second hand price was good
when it needs a service, which I think I remember Richard Dane saying that black boxes are good for up to 15 years, I will have it DR ed
excellent investment.
hilary
It's good to see that trade members have a good grasp on the Naim range.
I did the same as Hilary, admittedly for my CDX2, and with the same thought processes.
Chris
It's good to see that trade members have a good grasp on the Naim range.
Wow this thread took a turn for the worst fast! Monkey, 10 years is an older guideline for recapping.
Hilary, great information and great post. Thanks for the valuable addition to this thread and I also understand 15 years is more appropriate.
I was under the impression the XP5 does not have DR...yet. If Richard finds a good deal on an older XPS2, he can upgrade it with DR, recap, or both when funds allow.
Arun
I was under the impression the XP5 does not have DR...yet. If Richard finds a good deal on an older XPS2, he can upgrade it with DR, recap, or both when funds allow.
It's about 3000 to get a dr upgrade on the XPS - He would have to find it dirt cheap to make it worth it...
Hi Arun,
You should definately ask for a comparison-demo when you decide to buy. As Jason and Mango, I am a firm believer of system matching and am pretty sure that Naim created their product ranges for "a reason".
When I bought my ND5XS, I auditioned it with and without XP5XS. The difference is clear, the XP5XS mab the sound more detailed, and provides way more body and maturity. Worth the money. I did some savings un the meantime and will choose the XP5XS.
cheers,
iver
With regards to your comment on system matching, I disagree that an XP5 XS would produce a more matched sound than an XPS solely based on your theory that Naim created their product ranges for a reason. For example, I could use a NAPSC to power a Headline: the connector fits without the need for an additional cable. I could use a SLIC cable and power the Headline with a HC or SC: there is no doubt that each supply brings about noticeable improvements.
I would consider the XP5 XS as the entry level upgrade for the ND5 XS.
Best regards,
Minh
I was under the impression the XP5 does not have DR...yet. If Richard finds a good deal on an older XPS2, he can upgrade it with DR, recap, or both when funds allow.
It's about 3000 to get a dr upgrade on the XPS - He would have to find it dirt cheap to make it worth it...
I have an 11 year old XPS2 on my NDX and it is a worthwhile improvement over the bare unit. Opens up more and makes for a fuller sound. The DR treatment is $1950 including new caps, so I have mine in the que for this. I love the NDX bare but the XPS2, even at this age, adds to the presentation.
Regards,
Anthony
With regards to your comment on system matching, I disagree that an XP5 XS would produce a more matched sound than an XPS solely based on your theory that Naim created their product ranges for a reason. For example, I could use a NAPSC to power a Headline: the connector fits without the need for an additional cable. I could use a SLIC cable and power the Headline with a HC or SC: there is no doubt that each supply brings about noticeable improvements.
I would consider the XP5 XS as the entry level upgrade for the ND5 XS.
Best regards,
Minh
Hey Minh,
Thanks for your reply ! Of course you are correct: I should have put my statement with some context. The point I wanted to make is that combining Naim products from the same range is a "relative" save journey since they all prove to match very good. I did various auditions with pre- and power combos, with and without PSU's and every time the total performance seems to be bigger than "the sum of the individuals". It became once more clear when combining the ND5XS with the XP5XS. This makes me think that during the development process of a piece of kit, it adapts - for some reason - very well to the other pieces of the range. Of course I am not saying that combining pieces from different ranges cannot excellent combos: there are plenty and plenty of examples where it shows off. What I am saying is that in case of doubt between two products from different ranges, the product from the same range is often a "safe" match.
Hope this clarifies
Iver