NDX v UQ

You are paying for a better dac and probably some tweaks to the internal power supply. Using Redbook CD source material you would probably notice a difference but it is at least twice as expensive as the Qute and I doubt it will be twice as good.



Tog

I heard the NDX this weekend, and I own a Qute. NDX is better but twice the price.

Data,

I would also like to hear your thoughts/observations of the NDX. Something I might also consider down the road. Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread.

Scot

Scot, see the Bristol thread (I know, obvious). If you have any more questions, let me know.

Think nDAC, cross-bred with a UnitiQute (sans pre/power section), in tandem with system automation (to make your existing two-channel system behave like a Uniti).

The nDAC may have a better output stage and an additional DSP stage but the NDX more than holds its own in musical performance, perhaps too much so relative to the DAC.

You can also completely bypass the internal power supply of the NDX, which is not possible with the DAC.

As always–do the dem, your mileage may vary, etc.

Thanks all for sharing!

As I had expected, the NDX is better than the UQ, What if I have my own external DAC (non-Naim)and simply wish to stream music to my DAC. Would the UQ be good enough? If one paying for a much better DAC in the NDX, then it would be quite meaningless to use the NDX simply as a streamer?

The analog radio of the UQ (and NDX) converts the music to digital before being converted back to analog via my external DAC. Am I right? Analog to digital to analog seems quite a circuitous route!

If I feed my CDP or DVD into the UQ or NDX (digital input), the UQ or NDX will then send the data via digital out into my external DAC which in turn processes the data and converst it to analog! Again, this sounds very circuitous to me. But if it sounds good, who is to complain?

Is there a more straightforward approach?

For Radio - just use the Qute.

As a straightforward streamer the Qute makes a very cost effective solution using dig out into an external dac and into your amps.

Otherwise get an NDX

Quite straightforward

Tog

If you just want something to feed an external DAC the Qute is extremely expensive not to mention somewhat wasteful.

You can get a modestly priced box like a Logitech Touch which will feed your DAC upto 24/96, or you could go for a Linn Sneaky-DS, which is still a bit wasteful (as it has a DAC too) but it's a lot cheaper than a Qute.

The NDX provides an additional layer of DSP de-jittering and buffering not present in the UnitiQute–this makes a big difference when using an external DAC and can be easily demonstrated.

In addition–as mentioned above–when powered from an external supply (XPS or 555PS), the NDX shines as a digital front end, even when plumbed into an external DAC.

Surely the Naim DAC has been designed to do it's own de-jittering?

If the NDX wasn't better than the Qute then I think questions would be asked regarding the price!

Tog

Yes, as has the NDX–remember, for many people, the NDX will be all that they need, and any benefits that can be had from additional de-jittering will provide a better signal to the DAC (whatever DAC that is...).

It's an easy demonstration (NDX vs UnitiQute) to do, with very obvious benefits.

So you're saying that an NDX feeding an nDAC sounds better than a Qute feeding an nDAC?

Does improving the power supply to the NDX improve things further?

Where does a Serve feeding an nDAC fit in the SQ heirarchy?

Where does a Serve feeding an NDX feeding an nDAC fit in the SQ heirarchy?

is the radio fm module already ready fro delivery with the ndx or will there be a delay of 3 another years ?

Is the NDX better than a Ford Mustang?
Will Fred and Daphne ever get married?
Is Michael really their nephew?
Will Mary ever come out of that coma?
and is Carlos really dead? and if so who is looking after his HDX?

Tune in next week for some serious equipment worry.

Tog

Confused? You won't be after next weeks exciting episode of SOAP /NDX ?

Yes / yes / do the demo / do the demo, generally better than the UnitiServe feeding the DAC directly IMHO, YMMV, etc.

From memory, the NDX/555 served by the er, Serve came out ahead of the Serve/Dac/555. Adding a Dac to the NDX/555 didn't move it on enough for me. CDS3 and a bare HDX SSD both impressed.

Pylod what are you suggesting the fm/dab module is available now, you just order with or without.

Looks like NDX stress to me ...

Tog

Gents

Do we know what pre amps support system automation with NDX?

thank you paul. thats great news. i would order jut one with. its a part of the deal. how much is the module by the way ?

now it is just to wait and hear , what some reviewers write, when the ndx is more established.

All the current Naim pre and integrated amplifiers are supported as should be earlier Naim units with RC5 inputs.

Phil

Allen, what makes you thinking this way?
Based on what I read in white papers I don't expect  NDX/555PS to be a rival to nDAC/555PS. Otherwise this will ruin nDAC sales for sure.

I'm also skeptical that NDX as a transport sounds very different from UnityServe as a transport.
But worth waiting for more responses on the subject.

I have a feeling that modern transports are all coming very close to nDAC jitter-sensitivity threshold.
In my home system only cheapish transports (like SB Touch) sounded audibly worse than the best.