NDX upgrade path

I've replaced the ND5XS:NDAC/555PS with NDX/555PS and I think the latter is appreciably better. More coherent, transparent and, dare I say it, 'analogue' sounding to my ears.

The former a bit clinical and 'flat' by comparison.

Others will disagree of course.

G

The ears of the individual are what counts and the results may be different for different listeners. I have heard the ND5 with its PS, the one below the XPS2 and the NDX/XPS2. The latter walked it comfortably for me and IMO is the pick of the streamer range for performance versus price. Adding the DAC/PS to either could show up smaller differences, I don't know. 

While it is possible to become mentally confounded by redundancy and multiple unused sources, it is important to focus on what you want - the best possible musical enjoyment. Unused sources, internal power supplies and DACs in multi box setups are merely a function of the fact that the components are versatile and can be used in different ways with different equipment permutations. Which do you prefer the sound of? You can't get an NDX without an internal DAC - does this redundancy grate on your nerves or are you too busy enjoying it to care? I've lived much longer than I am likely to henceforth. I tend to concentrate more on what is important to me - beautiful music and its appreciation. A DAC going begging (in my case in the HDX) which is of a lower performance than the live one in my streamer is neither here nor there to me. And should circumstances present themselves where an external DAC can better the one in my streamer, and give more insight and enjoyment, if I feel moved to install it, the one in my streamer will be quickly forgotten. But that's just me.

Dear Harry,

Redundancy is something that really annoys me. 

If the option is there to fit an external PS to a component that has one already fitted, then that component must either work well on its own internal PS or be discounted for me.

If an external PS is a requirement [i.e no internal one fitted], then I am content as the internal one is not being wasted ...

I hate redundancy with a vengeance!

Different view-points, for certain, but I can not be happy in the long term with replay that has a niggle, something annoying about it, such as too much bass-line balance or excessively bright treble, which pulls the focus of the performance forward. I can accept that the chosen replay may not be as revealing as other more expensive options; I think there should be a match between the degree of ability to reveal fine inner detail in a recording with that intended in the original recording - rather than simply to the maximum of possibility in being revealing ... Sometimes all that is revealed is a load of fret-board noise, so the intakes of breath of a player who has a microphone too close for natural comfort in the result. Or even inadvertent studio noises such a closing door or lorry passing by outside.

ATB from George

Hi Wadri - well the NDX into NDAC/555PS is truly stupendous - it has a very special analogue type sound (in the right system) with great bass, rhythm and phrasing. Other systems can sound clinical by comparison.

The NDAC is sensitive to its digital sources and the NDX certainly delivers it what it needs - and I can certainly hear a difference between NDX and ND5XS, with the former certainly more attractive in a revealing system. 

As far as redundancy - well yes the NDX DAC stage is ultimately redundant in such a setup as the NDX is providing a very clean and regulated SPDIF transport stream - but gives you some contingency if you need to repair your DAC or get your 555PS recapped etc. The NDX appears optimised for either SPDIF out OR analogue out. Doing both at the same time appears quite a compromise.

The NDAC DAC/DSP/I2V/Analogue filter and line out  stages are quite similar to the NDS and are somewhat different from the NDX other than at a top level.

The NDAC splits its pwoersupply when you add a separate PSU to it. The separate PSU powers the critical analogue filter, I2V and line stages, and the digital PSU - the NDAC inbuilt PSU - powers the delicate DSP, interfacing circuity, DAC and clock circuits.

Simon

We ran ND5SX/nDAC/XPS2 in preference to the NDX/nDAC/XPS2. There were two reasons for this (i) we couldn't discern much of a difference between the two streamers and (ii) our dealer hinted strongly than the NDS was coming and that he would look after us. We traded in the ND5SX and nDac against the NDS and later upgraded from the XPS2 to a 555PS DR

Hi George. Sometimes a manufacturer launches something which could have been conceived with exactly you in mind. Or at least that's the perception. It is obvious why you are so delighted with your V1/100. Isn't it nice when things just click for you? It doesn't happen all that often.

Dear Harry,

I had my lovely Nait 5i [italic version] and the ESLs. I dared not hope that Naim would bring out a USB DAC of their usual quality, and so I bought the Arcam rDAC to pair with iTunes on my then PC. 

All was good till the Chicago CES in January or February 2013, when the V1/100 combo was announced, and I was fascinated to find Naim might seemingly have been reading my mind!

The very first demo I could arrange, I did in March, and strangely the combo never left my house again!

What is great, though, is that it has not annoyed me once with any fault or eccentricity since.

Nice when that happens. Thank you Naim, and thanks also to my excellent and understanding official Naim retailer who had to bring these boxes over even before they could set them up in their den rooms! And then explain to Naim why they no longer had their demo models anymore!!!

ATB from from George

I very much sympathize. I would always prefer a simple, non-redundant system to a bloated one, in particular if the latter delivers only marginal improvents SQ-wise. I guess that for my personal notion of quality (in general, not only for music systems) redundancy is a dealbreaker. But then, everyone has his or her system of preferences and if someone strives for maximal SQ independently of the number of boxes I'm fine with that approach. It's just that it's not mine.

XPS 2 (Non DR) on the way...

... and now in the system. To me this was a great update. Deeper and warmer sound with better separatation, just what I was looking for. I must say I was a bit hesitant before I made the move and bought the XPS2 since I've tried it with my NDX connected to a 202 and 200 about 2 years back and was not very impressed. Hence I went for a 282/SC/250.2 combo instead and that was a big leap forward. I guess the present system with a HiLine make any change to the source much more obvious and clear.

Maybe a amp combo above 202/200 is needed to take real advantage of an XPS on an NDX?

Anyway, I'm very happy with the upgrade!

Glad you're enjoying your upgraded system.