Chapeau NDX

Posted by: T38.45 on 06 April 2011

ok, some of us don't give a dime about hifi tests...but some ask this question very often:

is the NDX as good as ADS? the german stereoplay magazin did the test- here some statements in short form (again, sorry for my english)

 

1) NDX vs ADS (version 11/09)

- ADS on redbook one point better

- with 24/96 NDX on par with ADS

- result: NDX 67p for 24/96 and 65p for 16/44, total 93p (outstanding)

 

2) NDX+XPS vs ADS? not really-  they need Klimax DS to stop NDX!

- NDX vs KDS on par with redbook

- 24/96 KDS slighlty better

- result: NDX+ XPS 68p for 24/96 and 67p for 16/44, total 95p (heaven)

 

they add the DAC to NDX but didn't find that improvement,,,,statement: the NDX DAC is that good- better add an PSU!

 

have fun!

 

Ralf

Posted on: 06 April 2011 by Asenna04

Ralf,

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

They should have added 555PS to NDX to compare it to KDS. From cost point It is still cheaper.

 

Very Interesting to note that they concluded the nDAC does not add anything to NDX.

 

ASenna04

Posted on: 06 April 2011 by Steven Shaw

If the ADS is better than NDX but NDX on par with KDS (with Red book) does that mean the new Akurate DS is actually better than the Klimax DS playing CD rips......

 

Posted on: 06 April 2011 by lawoftrust

Steven,

 

no, because the KDS was compared to NDX+XPS, all feedbacks comment this to be a totally different beast. 

 

Ralf, 

Astonishing that nDac is not seen as an improvement. I found it to be quite a contribute in sound quality. Did they write which calbles were used. Powerline as well as Hiline improve sound significantly (as do Linn Silvers for the Linn kit). 

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Georg

 

Posted on: 06 April 2011 by T38.45
Hi Georg,

No, didn't see a hint...



Ralf
Posted on: 06 April 2011 by Steven Shaw
Originally Posted by lawoftrust:

Steven,

 

no, because the KDS was compared to NDX+XPS, all feedbacks comment this to be a totally different beast. 

 

Ralf, 

Astonishing that nDac is not seen as an improvement. I found it to be quite a contribute in sound quality. Did they write which calbles were used. Powerline as well as Hiline improve sound significantly (as do Linn Silvers for the Linn kit). 

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

Georg

 

Of course. Should have read it more carefully.

Posted on: 06 April 2011 by Plinko
Thanks for that information Ralf.  I wanted to know what went on in that Stereoplay piece but I couldn't get my lady to be bothered to translate.
Posted on: 08 April 2011 by AMA

Why didn't they compare NDX+nDAC+XPS against KDS as the crown of the listening session?

 

That would be a very logical step.

Posted on: 08 April 2011 by John R.

I already posted in another thread that I prefered a bare NDX to the new ADS in a side by side demo with a 100% Naim system with ripped CDs and with higher resolution WAV files. Adding a Naim DAC with the Naim DC 1 digital cable did not make it much better for my taste. The NDX is perfect value for money! When I did the demo the ADS was playing for already two weeks whereas the NDX only had one week of playing music. So both streaming players were pretty new and not fully burnt in by the time of the demo. The NDX offers better PRaT and simply more of everything. By the way: I had the demo at a very experienced dealer and both streaming players played WAV files that where stored on a NAS... No HDX as a server!