ndx vs. hdx SSD

Hi David,

What are your thoughts after hearing both?

I'm sure many will post shortly.

You should also look at UnitiServe-SSD + NAS + DAC (server as digital audio source) as well as UnitiServe + NDX + XPS (streamer + power supply).

Can some one answer a straightforward question.

In what way does the NDX not make the HDX-SSD a complete white elephant?

Thank you,

The HDX will UPnP to your multi room clients.

And cloud-lockers will not make the HDX stop working. Even if you pay up and have that robust fast internet connection with unlimited data transfer the are a few problems currently unsorted. The copyright holders want to enforce a lot of restrictions on what you can store in your locker. The HDX represent a simple and lawyer-free solution that continue working even if you forgot to pay the ISP-bill.

I suggest you go to a dealer to find out if the HDX or NDX is for you. They solve very different problems.

Thanks for the informative replies - I'm getting a better sense now of what the different units are for. As for sound, I've heard the HDX on several occasions and always thought 'good, but' as meissmar has indicated, rather than 'wow' - whereas 'wow' seems to be the reaction of some NDX users, which is why I started owning Naim in the 1980s.

I'm sure there are simpler connections to the NDX which can circumvent some of the problems of third-party interference noted above.

OK, the consensus seems to be ndx but with local (vs. cloud) storage.  I listened to both the hdx and ndx and thought the ndx better.

Regarding router and switch, is the Mac Airport Extreme a good choice, any other recommendations?

Having gone the NDX route, and ultimately being content with it, I would make the following comments

Negatives first

- Choice of NAS drive is not simple - any NAS will not do. QNAP and Asset NAS seem to work best. I bought Western Digital (with TWONKY aboard) and am now buying an Asset NAS from the UK. For now I am running Asset UPNP on a PC and pointing it at the Western Digital with TWONKY disabled

- The n-stream software is clunky and painful for the time being (with exception of volume control)  - have to believe this will improve either through Naim's efforts or others. It is a poor solution for now but it does work.

Positives

- Sound is clearly a big step up from CDS2 - more music and more musical

- Remote control via the app of preamp volume control is very nice. Throw the rest of the remotes in a box.

- Flexibility of just adding new music to the server without messing with libraries or any other such is excellent.

- Internet radio is fun and "listenable"

It does seem less of a cul-de-sac than the HDX, but it is not perfect yet.

Cheers

Regarding NAS drives, I'm guessing a RIPNAS would be a simple idiot's choice (that's me) - upnp, dbpoweramp, twonky, and it seems to have all the file types and do everything for you. Possibly overpriced though?

I haven't heard HDX but really fell in love with NDX.

On paper they don't differ that much (assuming both are wired to a proper network & NAS/UPnP), same DAC chip etc. So how do they compare sonically (with or without ext psu)? More experiences are warmly welcomed. Sadly my dealer doesn't have any so I can't demo myself...

At least NDX seems to have the same signature sound no matter which input (UPnP/USB/SPDIF) is being used. I wonder if this is the case with HDX also?

On paper they are completely different. Totally different internal architecture. Totally different firmware OS (one is embedded OS, one is Windows XP Embedded). They couldnt be more different.

> Totally different internal architecture. Totally different firmware OS (one is embedded OS, one is Windows XP Embedded).

But apart from that .... 

Jon, what OS does the NDX use?

Am I right in assuming it will render AIFF files? 

However, it will not handle ALAC? 

(All my music is AIFF)

Thanks, Guy 

I agree with Simon about AE, it is a first class WAP, but a good rather than superb render; if it was being used to render then the Sonus is a very capable alternative. However, if it is being used as an access point for the NDX then ..... 

All the best, Guy

Recently, I did a demo of HDX vs NDX as streamers into nDAC/XPS. In my opinion (and my customer's), the HDX is more natural and enjoyable to listen to than the NDX, although I accept the NDX is a lot of fun. I know others differ from this of course, but this was our conclusion. So the HDX remains very much an interesting option, especially when you consider it's substantially cheaper than a NDX/UnitiServe combination.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Frank,

That's interesting feedback, given some of the other views here. Which HDX type was used in the demo, SSD, 2x500GB or 1TB version? Connected via DC1 BNC?

Thanks

tp

My dealer believes the NDX/UnitiServe  combo will be a strong seller. There is something about the HDX (to my ears) that sounds somehow natural. Not the first word that comes to mind but now Frank mentions it, yes, that will do. Have had a lot of fun listening to the NDX twice recently but haven't heard HDX and NDX side by side. Providing you do the audition I think it's unlikely you'll lose either way. But I wouldn't prejudge the result based on theoretical considerations or someone else's ears.

The HDX isn't a streamer - or have I missed something?

I thought that was the point of introducing the NDX....

...but not as 'cheap' as an NDX/typical NAS solution.

We were using the slightly inferior 400GB twin disc model which doesn't sound as good as the HDX-SSD. Connection was a RCA-DIN Chord Digital Signature for the HDX and a BNC-BNC Chord Digital Signature for the NDX. We didn't have two DC-1s on hand at the time.

Dave, the HDX can act as both server and streamer.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.