ND5 with XPS...No Wow Factor

Yes 

Why?

I'm beginning to think that demoing my ND5 on someone else's system, which was far superior, was a bad idea. I guess it was a mismatch and completely unbalanced. It seemed a good idea at the time though! 

Meerkats are famed for their curiosity.

You never know until you try. I thought for its price it sounded very good but as has been said was probably the limiting factor of the system. I'm still a bit bemused though that the XPS2 didn't do more as it was supposed to be improving the source but if the system is that much unbalanced maybe not. I was impressed it came so close to the CDS3 on short term listening but it sounds like you were not that convinced. 

I'd disagree - whilst i wouldn't base a future purchasing decision on this sort of demo, it's better to have a system that reveals the differences going on up front compared to one which is more opaque to these. You can use this info to make more informed decisions on the next step (and it's always useful to hear someone elses system too)

After moving from HDX 555PS I have tried:

ND5XS - A bit flat solo

ND5XS + XP5XS - a little more scale and body, but not a great difference

ND5XS + NDAC/555PS - a turbocharged mini, not good

NDX - more believable and better balanced than all the above

NDX + 555PS - more scale, body and believability

NDX + Hugo - best presentation of MUSIC than all of the above

G

@james n  "but you'll get more of the things the ND5 does best by improving the PSU." Have to say i disagree with this, i think adding Hugo to an ND unit really brings out what its capable of, but everyone has their own set of ears.

@Meerkat i have recently been doing some tests on my NDX and have found that the support can make a huge difference to the sound. I tried a set of stillpoints under it and it collapsed the image down to a letter box. very strange. Its on my to do list to try some isolation platforms.

Graeme

Hi Graeme, My comment on adding the PS, is that it's icing on the cake if you already like what the ND5 does - it enhances rather than changes the presentation. If you want a change from that then go for the Hugo. 

James

My point exactly. 

Scott...At present, I am using an old five shelf, 'Target' Hi-Fi rack, which is about 25 years old. Back in the 90's, they were considered to be the mutt's nuts! It's made of steel, with wooden shelves.

When I was at Bristol over the weekend, I had a good look at Fraim (which I can't afford) and 'Hi-Fi Racks', which I did like, and were within my budget. No idea though, how it would make my three box system sound.

Hi Meerkat,

I have a ND5 XS and can confirm the great benefit of a more agile sounding support.

In my case, underneath both the ND5 XS and my Nait XS-2 I added a sheet of laminated glass then 4 dome nuts and topped that with a sheet of 8mm toughened glass.  This assembly then rests on the shelves of my Alphason rack.  The improvement was dramatic and all for less than £90.

Worth a thought?

Here's my conclusions...

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...es-glasses-and-racks

Huge...Are you a mind reader? This is exactly what I've been thinking about today. Looked at the Townsend isolation shelves, but these are very expensive. I have read the link, which makes very, very interesting reading, even though I didn't understand half of it!  

Worth a thought? You bet it is! I will now get to work, in establishing exactly what materials I need. Would you be able to post some photos, back on your original post?

This has now gone slightly off topic, but thanks to those who gave their kind advice re power supplies.

I got that from the Naim rep at RMAF [Denver] 2013.  Also, the product description on the Naim website suggests adding XP5 will not significantly improve the NDX.  Maybe he meant to say "The NDX power supply is better than the ND5 and also close to the XP5."

Is this correct?  Is the power supply in NDX better than found in ND5?  I own both and have found the NDX vastly better sounding into my SN2.  Should a ND5 + XPS outperform a bare NDX?

Interesting old review from the gramophone from when XP5 XS first came out:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/ed...vice-unless%E2%80%A6

This is one review that tempted me to try the move from HDX to streaming via ND5, then to add the XP5 XS.

One of the things I like with naim is (new 272 possibly excepted) the heirarchy is pretty clear.  The NDX mapped to the HDX in terms of performance and remained ahead of the ND5 even with XP5 XS.

i wouldn't pussy-foot around with stands either. They really are the icing on a very deep cake. Source first (when comparing sources only) remains true with Naim ime.

G

For me adding the XP5XS to the ND5 did create the "wow" factor vs. a bare ND5. It was a very, very significant improvement in my set up: better "space", better and more controlled bass, more detail... I have not listened to other combinations (NDS, NDX, Hugo, other power supplies...), so I can't offer a comparative POV on those. 

Cheers Dambor...I'll try that. It is probably the way I should have gone In the first place. C'est la vie! 

Hi Meerkat,

I'm currently helping someone move house, but when I'm free (probabaly later in the weekend) I'll post a link to photos.

I still think the glass is one of the most cost effective upgrades I've ever done.

Very surprising that the XPS did not show obvious improvement, which would slowly double in the following week.  Presumably the Burndy was "massaged" and installed and "dressed" for best performance.  The Burndy can significantly influence the performance of the PS, but I am sure the owner must know this.

Not at all surprising that the rack made immediately obvious difference, as source components are most sensitive to this.

Please report back if you can repeat the XPS audition at home.

Charlie

I ran the ND5X with a XPS-DR that I had lying around. Improvement: Yes. Worth the Outlay: No.

Improvement was more in terms of just making everything tighter and snap a little more in focus - but it did not make a NDX out of the ND5XS.

Naim power supplies in general, make components better, but not as good as step above in the hierarchy.

Having said that, the ND5XS is more fun than the NDX. Just a little bouncier etc. 

Your best bet is to audition the ND5XS vs. the NDX. Take what you like better. To improve it, use the matching psu - XP5XS or XPS-DR respectively.

Thank you Huge, I would really appreciate that.

Charlie...my friend was in control of the Burndy, and the other components of his kit. He is very savvy, and will have made sure all the above was 100%. 

I will re audition the XPS and the XP5 XS! But, in my own environment. First, I will be taking Huge's advice, and upgrade my system rack, with glass platforms. I have read the topic that you and Huge contributed to, which I found very interesting. https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...es-glasses-and-racks. 

Thanks MM