NDX upgrades

Hi Neil

Its been such a long time since I changed from the stock cable to Powerlines that I can't honestly remember exactly enough to describe the  differences/benefits.

What I can tell you is that my dealer lent me one on trial on return basis if I didn't think it provided value for money. The first Powerline I bought didn't ever go back to the dealer, that was my evaluation of the improvement.

The second one I bought was brand new, and the third one I bought was a verified used demo version from a dealer. If you can get a used demo Powerline for a few pounds off, why not.

In terms of Power Supplies, the XPS is the natural partner for the NDX. Unless you are planning going up the Naim ladder from the NDX, the 555PS could be seen to be overkill.

I recently trialled one from my dealer for my NDX for a week and found it made a big difference, really added another dimension to many of my tried and tested Test Tracks. I played a lot of music during the week I had it and the most telling  comment was from Mrs H who said something along the lines of 'the music's sounding really good since you made the change, isn't it?'

That was the extra confirmation I needed, and now I'm just saving some pennies to make the XPS DR purchase.

Get a demo of a Powerline and an XPS from your dealer, have a listen for yourself.

If they do the business like they did for me, I'm sure you will probably end up buying, if not, then at least you have tried it and can save yourself the money.

Good luck, would be interested to hear what you think when you trial them.

Most gain per buck: upgrading a power cable (doesn't have to be NAIM's own) + interconnect (HiLine or TelluriumQ Black or Black Diamond)

XPS - adds some, but it's not a night-day difference. Yet to hear 555PS.

The bare NDX is like winter - nice and cosy - jumper and trousers needed.

Adding a powerline enables the jumper to come off.

XPS2 moves us forward to spring - nice airy feeling - light jeans and t-shirt.

555PS gets us to full blown summer - total freedom - not much need for clothes.

You can also add an nDAC to it. Then you are on a nudist beach . When adding a PS to nDAC, you are on that beach with just a gorgeous lady of your choosing  :

Don't bother with the Powerline on the NDX unless you have already done the XPS.dr and a HiLine (or similar) interconnect.

My experience is that that PowerLine does a great job on the upper end of the spectrum but the other two are really required to let the PowerLine effect shine through.

Thanks for those comments. Elsewhere there seems to be a split opinion as whether the additional NDAC is better than than the bare NDX, although perhaps more of a consensus that it is if used with a PS. In that case is it worth a PS on the NDX as well as on the NDAC? Can a 555PS power both the NDAC and the NDX, or it's one apiece if going down that road? One benefit of the 555PS is that it comes with a Powerline, I guess. Has anyone compared the DR impact on the PS's as used with an NDAC and/or NDX?

Thanks,

Neil

Neil Bennett posted:

In that case is it worth a PS on the NDX as well as on the NDAC? Can a 555PS power both the NDAC and the NDX, or it's one apiece if going down that road? One benefit of the 555PS is that it comes with a Powerline, I guess. Has anyone compared the DR impact on the PS's as used with an NDAC and/or NDX?

Thanks,

Neil

Power Supply like XPS or 555 can only power one unit at a time. If you connect NDX with nDAC, there is practically no benefit in adding an external PS to NDX.

So you put a PS on the nDAC. XPS is good, but 555 is much better. Don't get too worked up about weather PS has a DR or not.