upgrade source

Depends on where you d like to stop and  essntially on your system.

Ad a general rule ndac is much better  in the long term as you could then match the best psu you could afford.

But tthen ndx is already much better than nd5xs in the short term and in your contexT even if you matched a separate psu to yours.

The last person to ask a similar question ended up with an NDX:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...04#60135792863328904

I don't think it's just about which one is better though, they are all good in their own different ways, so if you want to find out which option you prefer, you'll just have to get out there and listen. 

When I had an ND5XS I was persuaded to try an XP5XS power supply - the improvement was marginal, so it went. But then I discovered the Chord Hugo DAC, and it significantly improved sound quality, just using the ND5XS's front end as renderer. Many discussions on these forums re Hugo's more 'analog like' sound etc., and quite a few on these forums have cited Hugo as improving the NDX as well.

Later (in a move that also involved seeking a silent solution to a noisy NAS) I replaced the ND5XS and my NAS with a Mac Mini running Audirvana renderer, with usb output through a Gustard U12 usb/spdif isolator/converter into the Hugo, with a further improvement in SQ, and wished I had gone this way originally as it is also more cost effective. Again there is much on this in other threads.

There is a difference between NDX and ND5XS even when they are used purely as 'digital transports'.

I'd say: start with an nDAC and later swap for your ND5XS for and NDX and then add a power supply to the nDAC.

Although - come to think of it.... by the time you end up with NDX + nDAC + XPS, you might as well contemplate an NDS - some used ones start to appear on the market.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Although - come to think of it.... by the time you end up with NDX + nDAC + XPS, you might as well contemplate an NDS - some used ones start to appear on the market.

Now you're talking, 2nd hand Ndac, put your Nd5xs on the market, when it sells, purchase a pre loved Ndx, and wait on the 555PS!

But as usual, good advice Adam!

GBP - 1.30. 230 V

EURO - 1.11 230 V

USD - 1.00. 115 V

CAD - .77.  115 V

Allante93!

In the US a week ago I saw a nac for $1,500.  I say do that.