Adding DAC to NDX. Go for used NDAC or new Chord Mojo?

After the diversion...

i have an ndac (w/xps2) for home, a Dac V1 for work and amongst other devices a Chord Mojo for commuting. The Mojo is a nice device when hooked up to iPod or iPhone but it doesn't play in the same country, let alone area as the ndac. The ndac exhibits superiority in pretty much any musical/sound metric you can name. I have hooked each device up to the main rig for a week to assess capabilities. (252/300/Neat XL6)

The v1 mojo clash is very much dependent on the 'phones used. The mojo is fleeter of foot, but lighter in timbre, the V1 heavier in sonority. This naturally also leads to musical preferences differing for each device. By way of contrast, the Mojo is actually not my preferred mobile device. I use the Cowon Plenue 1 - which has the Burr-Brown 1792 Dac chip- more than the mojo.

It may be that I just prefer the BB sound...

Happy to provide more detail.

regards,

Giles

seriously , who would spoil his NDX with a mojo?

The nDAC is instead a great piece of kit, if anybody has, say, an ND5xs or even NDX at his disposal , I can't see any reason why not buying it for very little money. The improvement is massive.

Antonio, lots of mojo bashing here, fair enough this is the naim forum.

Musical tastes vary from person to person, one can say a certain dac is boring or the other more musical, but what is more musical, what is more natural, that depends from person to person. 

NDAC will sound very good when added to NDX 

There have beenquite a few on this forum that have concluded the Hugo improves the sound from the NDX. Personally i am clear that it is better thanND5XS+XP5XS. The Mojo is a lesser product in the Chord range, aimed even more than Hugo at the mobile market. THat it might not cut the mustard in with the NDX would therefore not be particularly surprising. TheHugo option remains though

Innocent Bystander posted:

There have beenquite a few on this forum that have concluded the Hugo improves the sound from the NDX. Personally i am clear that it is better thanND5XS+XP5XS. The Mojo is a lesser product in the Chord range, aimed even more than Hugo at the mobile market. THat it might not cut the mustard in with the NDX would therefore not be particularly surprising. TheHugo option remains though

Indeed and a few have concluded the sounds improves on their NDS DAC, and I have personally met a couple and heard their systems - both incidentally 552/500  - and of course the NDS makes a great transport for the Hugo which it seems to really appreciate. But Analogmusic is spot on this is all subjective as at this level these are all incredibly good sounding DACs

Simon

A few have also concluded that that the Chord Hugo is a relatively cheap and relatively mediocre compared with the Naim offerings. I was surprised how very ordinary it sounds given the hype it receives. Not that I'm bothered what anybody else chooses to buy it just gets a bit tedious.

Jonn posted:

A few have also concluded that that the Chord Hugo is a relatively cheap and relatively mediocre compared with the Naim offerings. I was surprised how very ordinary it sounds given the hype it receives. Not that I'm bothered what anybody else chooses to buy it just gets a bit tedious.

PRice is a matter of fact rather than someone's conclusion, and citing 'cheap' in that way seems rather snobbish... And of course price has no direct bearing on sound quality, especially in the world of DA conversion where  new approaches/technologies can bring leaps in performance.

As for tedious, it may be to you, but we're all trying to help the OP with the original question, aren't we? (Albeit with the odd digression such as what actually is digital, electrically.)

Effectively as far as I am aware no-one in this thread has offered what would have been an ideal response, i.e. several people's assessments based on personal comparison of NDAC and Mojo with an NDX, or even with comparable source, although Bluebeard has compared with an iPhone source (no info as to whether mp3 or Alac files?). The HUgo was introduced as something better than the Mojo, and known to be good with the NDX, and in between Mojo and NDAC in affordability. My advice to the OP is to try and get to hear all three of these DACS in your system, as that is the only way to be sure as clearly there aren't any forum members reading this thread with the relevanr comparative experience that a few saying the same or a good proportion saying the same could focus your choice.

Simon-in-Suffolk po

Indeed and a few have concluded the sounds improves on their NDS DAC, and I have personally met a couple and heard their systems - both incidentally 552/500  - and of course the NDS makes a great transport for the Hugo which it seems to really appreciate. But Analogmusic is spot on this is all subjective as at this level these are all incredibly good sounding DACs

Simon

+1 Agreed, it's all subjective at this level of performance:          Msrp!! USD

Ndac $4,395 

Dac V1 $2,595

Chord Hugo $2,195

2nd Hand Ndac$1800

Chord Mojo, $599. ????

Allante93!

In the context of testing in my system, all dacs were placed between a mac-mini using Audirvana+. Files used were either ALAC 16/44.1 or 24/96 and above .wav files. Music varies from Medieval polyphony to dubstep and all points between. I have not compared any of my toys to an ndx because quite frankly it is below the level of my main system at home and overkill for work. 

My reference to an iphone source was my use of the Mojo whilst commuting. Don't get me wrong - at its price there isn't a lot to touch the Mojo as either a portable amp/dac or as a swiss army knife approach for an entryish level system. Once you're over the K price for your amp, however it's battery power supply approach means that a desktop dac, to me, is a better option for a home stereo. 

Regards,

Giles

Allante, price is not really an indication of quality in the hi-fi world, although in the Naim product line, the products are very well priced, i.e. you get more as you pay more.

How are your briks sounding ?

In answer to the KAYDEE6s original question "Adding DAC to NDX. Go for used NDAC or new Chord Mojo?".

I would go for the CHORD 2QUTE as it has most of the sound quality of the more expensive HUGO, but is not a portable unit, and you would still be saving money  over purchasing  even a used NDAC

eazyryder posted:

In answer to the KAYDEE6s original question "Adding DAC to NDX. Go for used NDAC or new Chord Mojo?".

I would go for the CHORD 2QUTE as it has most of the sound quality of the more expensive HUGO, but is not a portable unit, and you would still be saving money  over purchasing  even a used NDAC

 

Having used both a Hugo & 2Qute I'd agree that it has '...most of the sound quality...' 

G

Innocent Bystander posted:

Jonn posted:

A few have also concluded that that the Chord Hugo is a relatively cheap and relatively mediocre compared with the Naim offerings. I was surprised how very ordinary it sounds given the hype it receives. Not that I'm bothered what anybody else chooses to buy it just gets a bit tedious.

PRice is a matter of fact rather than someone's conclusion, and citing 'cheap' in that way seems rather snobbish... 

 

The clue is in the word "relatively"  

Jonn posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Jonn posted:

A few have also concluded that that the Chord Hugo is a relatively cheap and relatively mediocre compared with the Naim offerings. I was surprised how very ordinary it sounds given the hype it receives. Not that I'm bothered what anybody else chooses to buy it just gets a bit tedious.

PRice is a matter of fact rather than someone's conclusion, and citing 'cheap' in that way seems rather snobbish... 

 

The clue is in the word "relatively"  

Its certainly relatively cheap compared to Naim equivalents, although I'd argue that they are, in fact, only relatively equivalent.

Allante93 posted:

Richard Dane posted:

Eazy, we're talking about the Naim DAC, not the DAC-V1, quite a different kettle of fish...

To say the least! 

Msrp!! USD

Ndac $4,395 

Dac V1 $2,595

Chord Hugo $2,195

2nd Hand Ndac$1800

Chord Mojo, $599

In the world we live in, Usually, not alway's there is a relationship between Price and Quality! 

Repeat, Not always!!!!!

Allante93! 

I agreed with Analog and the rest, that price doesn't  necessarily relate to quality, and the fact is the only way to really tell, is to demo it for yourself. 

But to Paraphrase Analog, the level of performance is subjective with the dacs of this level, I merrily pointed out the price of subjectivity! 

Besides, I haven't  experienced any dac, but the one in my Family room, Emotive dac 1, roughly $300 dac, and I can tell the difference between that and the $100 dac within my Airport Express > 282. 

But I do know someone that is quite familiar with these dac's,  Mr Richard Dane! 

BTW Analog the Briks are doing fine, listening to some Patricia Barbra, a Touch of Trash!  Nice CD! 

If I run across some money, I would upgrade all three 250.2's to DR status, but what the Heck! 

Enjoy your 250 DR, and if you do decide to sell it let me know, Remember I'm the 2nd hand King! 

Out! 

Allante93! 

Adam Zielinski posted:

One more point in favour of an nDAC - system automation.

I use two digital sources into my nDAC - NDX and CDX2.2 - switching inputs and sources is all automated via NDX remote control. Easy

I didn't realize that's how an nDAC worked - I thought you had to press a series of buttons to use an nDAC.  Sorry for going off topic, but I'd love to see a video of how this is done.  It's part of what makes adding a DAC somewhat overwhelming.

Jonn posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Jonn posted:

A few have also concluded that that the Chord Hugo is a relatively cheap and relatively mediocre compared with the Naim offerings. I was surprised how very ordinary it sounds given the hype it receives. Not that I'm bothered what anybody else chooses to buy it just gets a bit tedious.

PRice is a matter of fact rather than someone's conclusion, and citing 'cheap' in that way seems rather snobbish... 

 

The clue is in the word "relatively"  

Actually it is cheaper, full stop. But that doesn't alter the detail or meaning of what I said, And it is certainly not of enough consequance to pursue further, so maybe we just have to agree to disagree on how it may have come across to at least some  readers.

ATB and out,

IB

Ian Brown posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

One more point in favour of an nDAC - system automation.

I use two digital sources into my nDAC - NDX and CDX2.2 - switching inputs and sources is all automated via NDX remote control. Easy

I didn't realize that's how an nDAC worked - I thought you had to press a series of buttons to use an nDAC.  Sorry for going off topic, but I'd love to see a video of how this is done.  It's part of what makes adding a DAC somewhat overwhelming.

Ian - not sure a video would help - you'd just see lights going on and off.

Happy to send you screenshots of my NDX's system automation settings - if you email me (email is in my profile) I will send them over.

Basically I have two control cables (mini jack to mini jack) running from the NDX. One into my SuperNait2 to automate amp input switching. The other one to the nDAC to automate it's input switching.

On the Uniti Remote:

Press CD > select Digital 1 on the nDAC (CDX2.2 is connected to Digital 1) and switches SuperNait to CD (nDac is connected to the CD input)

Press PC > select Digital 2 on the nDAC (NDX is connected to Digital 2) and switches SuperNait to CD

Press AUX > switches to Aux 1 for LP12 playback

Adam

Thanks Adam!  I'll email you.

Ian Brown posted:

Thanks Adam!  I'll email you.

Email just arrived - will prepare the screenshots.

Allante, 

Just my opinion.... With your 300 $ DAC, you are hardly getting the benefit of your active configuration. I know what I said earlier, but sorry, it doesn't mean to use a 300 $ DAC.

I'd buy an NDAC at least, and then add XPSDR, before even thinking about changing the preamp or amp.

analogmusic posted:

Allante, 

Just my opinion.... With your 300 $ DAC, you are hardly getting the benefit of your active configuration. I know what I said earlier, but sorry, it doesn't mean to use a 300 $ DAC.

I'd buy an NDAC at least, and then add XPSDR, before even thinking about changing the preamp or amp.

 

Two different Systems Analog! 

System 1 Flat earth: not Active yet!  Tri-Amped Briks!  Cdx2>282>HCDR>3 x 250.2's 

System 2 Round earth: Emotive dac 1> Primare Pre 30> Arcam P1 mono Blocks > Vienna Acoustics Baby Grands

I Stream from MM > Airport Extreme > Airport Express > to 3 locations within the house! But that is Wireless! 

When I want to hear some real Music I enter the Living Room!   Eyeballing a SCDR this very moment! 

Allante - stop the eyballing. You will have no eyballs left at this rate 

Just get that SuperCap - you know you need it, you know you want it.... Sell a kidney or a kid... Just get that SuperCap....

A whilst you are at it - a 555PS for your CDX2 - it will transport it to an orbit... And will come in handy when you move over to an NDS or for that nDAC you've always wanted....

Adam Zielinski posted:

A whilst you are at it - a 555PS for your CDX2 - it will transport it to an orbit... And will come in handy when you move over to an NDS or for that nDAC you've always wanted....

Rome wasn't built in a day, but if were the Chief Design Engineer, I'm quite sure the time table would've been drastically reduced!  LOL! 

Every Month is something new, NDS, 555PS, 252, what's next! 

Enjoy your Music ( The Why )!!!!!