Naim XS2 + ND5XS, or NDX

Posted by: dlfq on 17 October 2015

hi, am looking to upgrade my Hifi Equipment. I currently run a Naim XS integrated off my Sonos. I want to upgrade the source component. I've home auditioned the NDX+XS, ND5XS+XS and he Supertuniti.

The NDX + XS tops my list but with the XS amp in the mix its a really close call. Wondering if anyone out there is running the NDX+XS and if they sense is that the NDX is a bit of an overkill. i could alternatively use that money to upgrade my B&W CM1's.

 

thanks 

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by J Saville

Get the NDX now and plan to step up to a Supernait 2 later. Then tackle the speakers.

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by nickpeacock
ND5XS + Hugo will blow NDX out of the water. (NDX + Hugo is said to be even better...)
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I'd say get the NDX.. It sounds fantastic native (no off board PSU) with Naim amps (nice timing, bass and balance) and is a great transport if you want to play with non Naim DACs (like Hugo) in the future.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by dlfq

thanks for all your replies. hoping someone could share some thoughts on the ND5XS combo as an alternative. i hear you loud and clear on the NDX as the preferred choice. it quite clearly had the edge.

the concern I had was i don't necessarily want to spend another 5-6k on hardware.

guess the slight worry is that I might never get the full benefit of the NDX if I don't do a few more upgrades. thanks

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Why not just get a used NDX for around £2,000? It will go really nicely with the Nait XS and maybe later you could think about a Supernait 2. But in the meantime, the NDX will be better than the ND5 - source first is usually a sensible approach. 

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by dlfq

thanks. yes the local dealer is offering me a demo machine for about 2300. the current version comes with the bluetooth which i thought would be handy-hence was erring towards a new (that way you aren't tied into the spotify/tidal options that NAIM offer within the o/s). not saying that the bluetooth option is the core use case. its just a nice to have. 

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by nickpeacock
Originally Posted by dlfq:

thanks for all your replies. hoping someone could share some thoughts on the ND5XS combo as an alternative. i hear you loud and clear on the NDX as the preferred choice. it quite clearly had the edge.

the concern I had was i don't necessarily want to spend another 5-6k on hardware.

guess the slight worry is that I might never get the full benefit of the NDX if I don't do a few more upgrades. thanks

I ran ND5 XS bare for a while. It has good functionality and sounds good. I then bought a nearly new SP5 XS to go with it, which made a big difference. Much lower noise floor, more authority etc.

 

Then I bought a Hugo and sold on the XP5 XS. Simples...

 

ND5 XS + Hugo costs less than NDX.

NDX + Hugo costs less than NDX + XPS.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by dlfq

could you clarify what you got from Hugo? 

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

No, no, please no..... There are a million threads expounding the myriad virtues of Hugo. The only thing it cannot do is end world poverty. It's the best Hifi component ever!!!!!!!!

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

No, no, please no..... There are a million threads expounding the myriad virtues of Hugo. The only thing it cannot do is end world poverty. It's the best Hifi component ever!!!!!!!!

I agree with HH but it is sensitive to input quality. NDX much yields better results than ND5 & Qute2 into a Hugo my experience.

 

G

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by nickpeacock
I have the sneaking suspicion that HH, who has never to my knowledge owned a Hugo, was tip-toeing gently towards the front door of irony there.

Hugo, to many of those (but not all) who have tried it, is a game-changer. Search the forum for more info.
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by nickpeacock:
I have the sneaking suspicion that HH, who has never to my knowledge owned a Hugo, was tip-toeing gently towards the front door of irony there.

Hugo, to many of those (but not all) who have tried it, is a game-changer. Search the forum for more info.

Oh I got the irony... but thought I'd dead-pan it because actually the content is correct!

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Only AudioQuest Ethernet cables are more miraculous - and I have tried them! I have a great nephew called Hugo - lovely little lad with huge ears like a bat. 

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by nickpeacock
On Audioquest ethernet cables, I am happy to report that HH's views are entirely orthodox. His re-education programme is therefore suspended during good behaviour.
Posted on: 19 October 2015 by Mr THX

Can I throw another option in the mix...... ND5 & 2Qute. Superb detailed sound very analogue in presentation (that said be aware I'm not using NAIM amplification but the lush and very musical ROKSAN) 

 

A second hand ND5 and a new 2Qute by my reckoning can be had for around £2200? Winning combo

Posted on: 19 October 2015 by nickpeacock
2Qute - fair point.
Hugo has a headphone socket, if that matters; 2Qute is less expensive.
I'm unable to comment about the sonic difference, if any, between Hugo and 2Qute; others can (and have done on the forum).
Posted on: 22 October 2015 by analogmusic

to provide some rational thought here. I own a hugo and a DAC V1 and like them both. I could not bring myself to sell my DAC V1, as it is a real naim source, boogie factor and fun. The chord is also very very good. 

 

BUT I certainly could not convince one of my friends who owns HDX, CD555 and a Linn KDS/1 (yes, all 3) to buy the Hugo despite many auditions.

 

I'd say you should buy the NDX at 2300. 

 

 

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by Bart
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

No, no, please no..... There are a million threads expounding the myriad virtues of Hugo. The only thing it cannot do is end world poverty. It's the best Hifi component ever!!!!!!!!

HH is one of our more understated posters here.  What he really meant to say was,

 

It's the best Hifi component ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by Bart

When I owned a NaitXS, I found it perfectly capable of 'stepping up' to distinguishing among Naim sources.  I would buy the used NDX, not a new ND5XS.  Definitely.

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by dlfq

thanks for the comments..i decided to order the NDX. surprisingly I was told that Naim have one to deliver this week (having ordered on Monday). its a bit of a budget stretch but I thought it had the edge over the ND5. i see myself keeping the equipment for a while. hopefully it the extra £ will be a good investment over the years.  

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by dlfq:

thanks for the comments..i decided to order the NDX. surprisingly I was told that Naim have one to deliver this week (having ordered on Monday). its a bit of a budget stretch but I thought it had the edge over the ND5. i see myself keeping the equipment for a while. hopefully it the extra £ will be a good investment over the years.  

A big edge in my experience.

 

Enjoy.

 

G

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by dlfq

any suggestions on running the equipment in? with my amp i was told to keep something playing on it for a week. 

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by dlfq:

any suggestions on running the equipment in? with my amp i was told to keep something playing on it for a week. 

Play the radio through it when you are out for a week or so.

 

G

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

The NDX is a wonderful component. I have enjoyed mine for several years. You will enjoy yours I'm sure.

 

Posted on: 22 October 2015 by dlfq

Any thoughts/suggestions on UPNP clients for MAC. I currently have a free trial of Asset. just wondering if its trying a few others and if so what?

thanks