Streamer with equal/better SQ to cd5x with fc2x

Steve

Ripping is a pain, especially keeping the metadata and file naming consistent. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen a way round this step. Well worth it though, I love streaming (although listening to CDX2.2/XPS2 at the moment).

Sonos is very good, easy to set up and the user interface is excellent. A reasonably priced first step into streaming, plus the gear can be re-deployed when you upgrade. 

The ND5 XS is on a level with CD5 and, as usual with Naim, improves with power supplies and further upgrades.

Hi Steve

I haven't looked back since moving from silver disks to streaming, it is hugely flexible. Ripping is only a pain to start with. 

I was advised on this very forum to only rip a few disks and make sure that they appear on your streamer as you want them. This is all about getting the tagging right. Once you've got this right its pretty straight forward.

Just get ready for many long nights sitting in front of a PC, if you have a large collection of CD's

Oh and keep in mind you can never have too many backups.Good luck

graeme

I have a sonos and the interface is fantastic.  In the FWIW department I did an ab comparison once. Non blind

streaming from mac to sonos using digital out into my Bryson Dac. 200 202 vs streaming from Mac mini into Bryson dac via optical.  I thought option two was significantly better.

Whether you choose a Sonos or a Naim streamer you're still going to need to rip to a NAS. I used dbpoweramp and just kept feeding in cd's whilst watching tv or listening to music in the evenings. Took a while but it' s a good feeling when its all done. You'll probably need to sort some tagging out when it's done and I found MP3 Tag to be brilliant at correting anything I'd messed up. Once it's done and you've backed it up you're laughing.

Thanks guys. Yeah, I figured I was in for some serious ripping hours no matter what. 

But what about the difference in SQ? Have you achieved what you were used to from cd? Anyone from my more entry level system? I doubt the sonos itself equals the cd5x (would be a bargain if it did!) but does the nd5sx? 

Sorry maxi-me just read your post saying nd5sx equals cd5. Is this from your experience? 

Ive become a bit disillusioned with the naim 'upgrade path' on the 'x' system since the cd has no digital out and there doesn't seem anywhere to go from where I am now without replacing most of the system. So I want something that equals the cd5x but can also be improved on, but perhaps I'm unrealistic and the better streamers require better amplification/speakers to appreciate?

IME, my CD5X + FC2X is tough to beat.  I stream mostly, now; and I like the CD555, but would recommend the CD5X to more people -- it is a sweet thing, especially for the cost on today's used market.  Not as controversial as the excellent CDX2; way better than the CD5i, all IMHO.

Cannot part with mine.

Nick

Not a direct comparison, but did go to a 'future of hi-fi' evening and listened up through the streaming range. The ND5XS was very engaging.

Sounds like you're heading in the direction of a V1? Or that little Chord thing. Sonos is fine for background music but nothing to write home about. Where it really scores is sound for pound. It's very good for the price but not remotely in the league of a CD5X, or a CD5. And it won't handle HiRes material. No problem for your CD collection but streaming is also about access to higher resolution material and Sonos don't open this door (don't 'spose anyone's got a workaround?).

Naim will be launching something Sonos like this year or early next year at a relatively low price point. That'll cure the HiRes woes without increasing the box count but I doubt if what they are aiming for with this product will compete with a CD5X.

I think your expertise in IT probably should be exploited in this situation. You might do something tasty and user friendly that non experts couldn't easily tackle. And if what the increasing owner base say about the V1 is on the money, you probably should. Not that the V1 is not your only option.

Definitely on my list.

My main concern was not getting a high enough quality source to cover future upgrades on the rest of the system.

So I was also looking at the nDAC and various other non async USB DACs (hadn't seen the Chord will take a look there).  One thought with the nDAC was to swap out the CD5x for something with a digital out (shame I didnt buy my kit a year later as I would have had an 'xs' with digi out), then at least CD replay would also benefit from the DAC while I'm converting/experimenting with streaming.

I'd read on various threads here and elsewhere the nDAC was the cream of the crop (assuming all bare with no PSU's).  However, the more I've read since, the more complicated it seems, and Ive drawn the conclusion that its a faf to maximise its potential - especially with a computer source.

And how does one demo DACs - with all the apparent intricacies in getting the computer source setup correctly?  Its not like even a good dealer would have exactly the mac mini setup I'm likely to buy?  And I really need to compare it to my CD, as unless the sound is at least close (but ideally better) then I wont bother - I can plug my macbook pro in now through via the headphone socket if I don't care about SQ and only want convenience.

I'd hate to buy the V1 if the nDAC is potentially much more useful and better sounding if my system progresses over the next few years.  But I don't want loads of boxes with loads of redundant components either.

And then there are streamers....

I just want a modern streaming/mac solution to sound as good as my 'not anywhere near top end' CD player without costing a fortune or being complicated.  Does it really have to be this difficult??!?!?

That's of real interest. Is it rumour or is there more info?

There is info in circulation and there has been a vague press announcement. My understanding is that firm announcements will be made soon. It's going to raise a few eyebrows - but that's just a rumor.

A server, such as VortexBox-based device directly feeding the Chord Hugo would give you stunning sound, along with an incredible portable headphone amp, without costing the earth. Since the server will also act as a UPnP source, this leaves the path clear to eventually adding a UPnP streaming client, should the need arise.

Steve

Going back to your original post, and your requirement for something that sounds as good as your CD5x, using a NAS, gives a simple answer. It's the ND5xs, which you can later upgrade with the XP5xs power supply. Alternatively you could get a used NDX for little more than a new ND5xs, and it will sound better.

I used to have a CD5xs with flatcap, which I then swapped for a CDS2. Then, getting fed up with loads of boxes and the lure of upgrades, I sold the lot and got a SuperUniti. It's not as good as the CDS2 in absolute terms but still sounds great, and the ability to play all your CDs from the iPad and not have them all over the house has proved very successful.

My advice is to keep it simple, get one of the streamers - ND5xs or NDX and a Synology NAS, and off you go.

The DAC took my system to a level above CDX2/XPS2 that just wasn't possible previously and scuppered my plans to buy a CDS3. It is a good DAC, but... there's always a but. In my case the but is twofold and the one which might be relevant here is that you can vary its performance considerably depending on what digital interconnect you use. I had three and they all got interchanged depending on what I wanted. I now run a dedicated streamer. Less boxes, less variables.