Too many CDs....

Quite a difference in the cost of your 2 options.

If you are happy with the SQ of your SN2, maybe an NDX streamer might be a better fit?

Go the other way. Get a CDX2 just to wind her up.

But seriously, +1 for NDX.

Or a DAC such as the chord Hugo or 2qute and a mac mini would give you a very flexible streaming option from about £1400

NDX superb piece of kit job done 

On the basis of personal, subjective taste and auditions, I far prefer a mac & Naim DAC-V1 into either an NDX or NDX + XPS.  I have found the NDX to be wonderfully smooth, civilised & polite.

But that little DAC-V1 has a certain life, vitality & joie de vivre that I find utterly captivating.  It's a magical little thing, in the way that the old Nait 2 is a magical little thing.

The NDX will and does suit many people, but please do not discount the capability & flexibility that a mac 'n dac approach provides, whether you go for a Naim, Chord or other make of dac.  

An audition at a good Naim dealer will let you hear both routes for yourself, so that you can make an informed, personal decision.

Yours most subjectively, FT 

Mac n Dac....I like that!

I'm beginning  to sound like a man on a mission but Mac n' DAC  (or PC and DAC) will also give you access to Roon, which for me really brings streaming to life.

UPnP streaming is like teletex compared to Roon being like the internet (at a cost admittedly).

An Auralic Aries mini is another good option.

IMHO streaming is not like CD players and amplifiers where a 5 year old design is practically just as good as a more recent one. I'd go for something that opens up your choices not closes them down.

SJB

John,

Have you heard the Aries? Any improvement in sound vs a Mini?

Mac n DAC option. How do you control it? Via keyboard at computer or via iPad with some type app?

I use Audirvana, which has a remote control whch is brilliant and which allows it to be controlled via IPad, or IPhone.  It is, of course, also possible to control it via mouse and keyboard.  With the remote control it's pretty easy to running it headless, very similar to using the Naim app on a streamer to be honest

If you use Roon (which is amazing!) you control it via an iPad. I also use screen sharing via my Macbook Air if I need direct control.

Mac n Dac - do I need fries with that? 

All good suggestions so far - thanks and keep them coming.

Obviously I'm going to go to my friendly dealer and set up some listening time for various options.

The CDX2 is a non-starter because (sacrilege alert) I preferred the sound of the CD5XS/FC - it was much more engaging.

If the price I have to pay to make SWMBO happy is to invest in an NDX over an ND5XS, who am I to argue? 

I moved to a ND5XS with my SN1, now about 700 CDs are tucked way upstairs,  the solution works for me.

spurrier sucks posted:

Mac n DAC option. How do you control it? Via keyboard at computer or via iPad with some type app?

Yep. If you use iTunes you can use the excellent and free "Remote" app in iPad or iPhone (or iPod touch). You will need to connect the Mac to a monitor, keyboard and mouse for set-up and occasional config/trouble shooting, though. At least that's what we find. We have it connected to our TV and use a  wireless keyboard on occasions such as OS updates.

Ryder35 posted:

John,

Have you heard the Aries? Any improvement in sound vs a Mini?

No I haven't heard it.  I imagine it would be more of a sideways move. I'm happy at the moment to explore Roon and see what end-points appear on the horizon.

SJB

Whatever you do Paul, don't dump the CD's or you will regret it.

John.

J.N. posted:

Whatever you do Paul, don't dump the CD's or you will regret it.

John.

Yep never ever give away your records.

Ripped my CDs years ago and didn't miss anything means I would do it right away again! So many great options now that beats CD in SQ and comfort... I could even live with my "pimped" (right word?) mac mini and bitperfect SW or...

ralf

We had over 2,000 CDs all over the place - in the sitting room, the dining room and study. Since ripping them and stashing them away we got our walls back, which means more space for pictures, not to mention less dusting. The music is a lot easier to find and can be played on the Roberts radio in the kitchen as well. 

Of the options, the NDX is probably most logical, and of course matches the SN2 perfectly. 

I've been super impressed with the NDX and even adding a Chord Ethernet cable and an independent network switch made a lot of difference to so worthwhile mod.

Agree with previous comment - NDX, Chord Ethernet, simple Netgear switch plus [my QNAP] NAS and Robert is your Auntie's live-in lover as we say

Mac 'n' DAC approach works well for me, except for the Mac bit.  But I do understand that anything bearing an Apple badge is superior to anything that does not.  

SongStream posted:

Mac 'n' DAC approach works well for me, except for the Mac bit.  But I do understand that anything bearing an Apple badge is superior to anything that does not.  

You could investigate things like Asus Vivo desktops or building silent computers using cases such as Streacom's as an alternative to the MacMini.  Well you can use an off the shelf Dell and work on making it quieter just as easily but they tend to miss out on attractive design when mixed with your Naim kit.

For software you can choose from J.River Media Center or Roon or more "audiophile" offerings such as HQPlayer, JPlay and others.

SongStream posted:

Mac 'n' DAC approach works well for me, except for the Mac bit.  But I do understand that anything bearing an Apple badge is superior to anything that does not.  

I detest Apple and won't have iTunes on my system but I found the Mac mini with Audirvana out performed both my streamer and a couple of different PCs and, at the end of the day, it's all about the music and the Mm/Audirvana into my Hugo beats anything remotely close to the cost imho

Nothing to fault with iTunes - IMHO