Serve/NDX vs CDX2.2

Hi Aron,

Interesting post. I am in a similar situation, just migrated to a 282/FCXS/200 and have a CDX2.2/555PS as a source. I have been contemplating selling my CDX2.2 to buy the NDX but have decided against it for now. Instead I am looking to add the nDAC to my system and experiment with digital audio using a Sonos ZP90. The CDX2.2. sounds bloody good in my set up and I do enjoy putting on a CD manually still. Introducing the nDAC will upgrade the CDX2.2 even further and quite substantially so. I auditioned this combination some time ago. I have to admit though that I have not heard the NDX, so cannot comment on its SQ. There are a good few posts on the subject by AllenB and Aysil though, which are worth reading, as I am sure you have.

In my case I have simply decided that all the streaming stuff is still bogged with too many hick ups for my liking and for me to consider it as my sole medium of audio replay. Plus I would like to see what else Naim comes up with on the streaming front this year. That aside, being an early mover means you are buying the first version of the product, which often times will be improved upon over time - as we have seen with the HDX in its first two years. However, you are buying new so the question you need to ask yourself is do you want to stay with CDs for a long while yet or move to the digital world? One option forward might be to buy a second hand CDX2 (without dig out) for the moment. At least that way you won't lose much money, should you decide to sell it again. There are some good bargains on second hand CDX2s going around at the moment.

Another alternative would be to buy the nDAC instead and partner it with a streaming solution such as the Sonos ZP90. The ZP90 is a great streaming solution, its user interface / iPad app is still way ahead of the NDX and it only costs €340. Fed via a digital coax cable such as Naim's DC1 it delivers astonishing results. I tested mine feeding an uncompressed WAV file into the onboard DAC of the SuperNait and could not tell a difference from the same CD being played on my CDX2.2. This was in a CDX2.2/ SuperNait/ FCXS system though and to be fair it was a very quick listening session only. However, the nDAC is a much better DAC. The ZP90/nDAC combination may not reach the level of SQ of the NDX but it is still damn good combination and it may be close enough for you to not care.

Good luck

tp

Hi tp,

Appreciate your reply, I have been following your posts lately, keep them coming. And yes, I went through AllenB and Aysil's posts on NDX over and over again just in case I miss something that could put a fullstop to my questions, unfortunately I'm still not convinced. 

On the side note, can I keep the uniti connected to the 282 for my radio/streaming if I decide to go with the CDX2.2?

Any combination of CDX2/NDX/HDX/NDAC with or without power supplies take you to a particular level of audio replay.

 If you want a step-change in performance then CDS3 is the way to go, S/H prices are comparable to the aforementioned X series and will be much closer to the analog/warm/vinyl sound you want.

Do the comparison of CDS3/XPS2 against any combination of the X series and you'll hear what I mean.

Jonn

I smiled when I read your post. I love my CDS3, but still have my CDX2 (couldn't see fit to sell it). I recently swapped my CDS3 out with my CDX2 - let it warmup for a day - and spun some discs. Not bad - that distinctive boogey and groove factor was there and the slightly forward mid balance - all rather appealling BUT the sound felt dirty or un natural - it didn't have striking reaslism and clarity of the CDS3. Things were more slurred, sibilences more pronounced, tonal balance a bit more hard edged. I put the CDS3 back and wow what a difference....

I haven't heard the NDX yet but I have listened to the nDAC, HDX, Qute and certainly the first two were closer to the CDX2 presentation than CDS3, albet nDAC with XPS2 was a bit 'cleaner' and greater bass weight than the CDX2 but not as enjoyable with Redbook IMO.

Simon

.

Agree with the above, with the proviso that playing CD as transport/SPDIF/DAC inevitably introduces a slight lack of 'immediacy' to the sound. The NDX is so good, however, that I think any good CD transport into it would outperform most standalone CD players. You need to hear the NDX really - it has a very seductive sound IMHO.

Thanks for the replies. Waiting for my 5 tier Fraim lite, 282, 250.2 and now with the help of everyone here an NDX. 

More questions....

Still uncertain if I should get the uServe to complete the system and if its a no compromise solution should I,

1. wireless - uServe - wireless - NDX

2. Cat7 - uServe - wireless - NDX

3. Cat7 - uServe - Dig out - NDX

More like, Cat7 - UServe - Cat7 - NDX. If you spend that sort of money why not go for the best performance possible?

Now why didn't I think of that?  Thanks again! Another uServe.... 

Why another? One is enough

A 3rd party NAS/server, e.g. RipNAS (ripping engine included) will do a fine job too, so the Serve is not mandatory of course. It all depends on your budget and preference...

But in any case, Naim recommends to have the NDX connected via Ethernet/LAN cable for best performance, rather than Wifi or S/PDIF.

Just one uServe to add on to my system. 

I'm not very good with computers and stuffs therefore I reckon the uServe should be the easier solution for people like me.

Should be place the apple extreme further from my equipments? Or it doesn't make a different like power supplies?