NDX/NDAC/555PS vs Linn Klimax DSM vs Linn Akurate DSM

Understood. Thanks Huge.

Jason posted:

fathings cat posted:

Did you compare NDX/Ndac/555 with NDS/555? I currently own the former into 252/Supercap Dr/ 300 and have been curious about the NDS - never got round to doing the demo as ideally I would want a used NDS but they are pretty rare on the second hand market. (Seems unfair to waste dealers time with no intention (due to budget) of purchasing new.

 Be interesting to see what naim does next, can't be long before some newer products land. 

Gary

Gary 

I have done exactly that.  I had HDX into nDAC and always thought I would end with a 555ps on that to make HDX>>nDac>>555ps.  I first tried the 555ps but I didn't seem to get what I expected.  My dealer suggested I try an NDX into the nDAC, instead of the HDX and use HDX as server only.  That was ok but a sideways movement I felt. Then, as I still had the 555ps on demo, I tried NDX>>nDac>>555ps and it was great,  I loved it.  It did everything I wanted .....and then some.

However, just when I was ready to pull the trigger on the NDX and 555ps to join my nDac, I discovered that my dealer had a barely used  NDS available, used 2 days only from a show....... temptation got the better of me.  He said it would be In a different league again from the NDX>>nDAC>>555ps if I used it with the 555ps.... He wasn't wrong!  It was the same all over again and I was absolutely bowled over with it and it never went back!!

Voices, soundstage, refinement, imaging.....everything just grew and improved beyond my expectations.  It has been the biggest outlay I have made in Hifi, but it has also given me the the most enjoyment I have had in my music.  

Obviously, everyone hears differently but if you are asking is it worth a demo and do I think it will improve on your current source, my answer would be a resounding 'Yes'!

I totally agree. I lived with the ndx/ndac/555dr for a few months. I was really pleased with the sound but felt I needed to hear the nds. I found a nearly new one and the owner kindly agreed to deliver and dem it. The agreement was if I liked it I would buy it, but if not I would cover their travel expenses.

I listened to my combo before the nds arrived and started to think I may be wasting the sellers time as it was sounding so good. The seller arrived and had a listen for a while before changing to the nds. We finished the ndx combo on a Roger Waters track, so decided to first hear the nds with the same track. 

I couldn't believe how natural it sounded, it was as though the singer was actually in the room. The sound was just right, I was blown away.  Needless to say I bought it, and it got better and better over the first few weeks. For months I would sit for a listen and still be awe struck for the first few moments. It really is that good!

NDAC+PSU+SonoreRendu and forget the rest:-)

T38.45 posted:

NDAC+PSU+SonoreRendu and forget the rest:-)

 

I don't believe that the NDAC has USB input so you would need a USB to SPDIF converter also. 

Right- maybe the next Naim DAC will have one :-)

T38.45 posted:

Right- maybe the next Naim DAC will have one :-)

Amazingliy it already does... it's called DAC V-1

I don't think Naim's top line DAC is likely to have a USB audio input, as USB is a poor communications protocol for audio use; especially as USB 3.1 devices don't have to be backward compatible with USB 1.1.

Mr Happy posted:

I totally agree. I lived with the ndx/ndac/555dr for a few months. I was really pleased with the sound but felt I needed to hear the nds. I found a nearly new one and the owner kindly agreed to deliver and dem it. The agreement was if I liked it I would buy it, but if not I would cover their travel expenses.

I listened to my combo before the nds arrived and started to think I may be wasting the sellers time as it was sounding so good. The seller arrived and had a listen for a while before changing to the nds. We finished the ndx combo on a Roger Waters track, so decided to first hear the nds with the same track. 

I couldn't believe how natural it sounded, it was as though the singer was actually in the room. The sound was just right, I was blown away.  Needless to say I bought it, and it got better and better over the first few weeks. For months I would sit for a listen and still be awe struck for the first few moments. It really is that good!

It is good isn't it!  Strangely, the first time I heard  an NDS, quite a long time ago, I wasn't sure what all the fuss as about.  I don't know why, but it was an early version running a software prior to 4.4 and probably not ideally set up.. I suspect this all had something to do with it.  The later software seems to have really moved things on and now set up right, it is a total gem.....it's just addictive.

Anyone here has a chance to compare the NDS/555PS against the Linn flagship Klimax DSM?

Not personally, but from reading posts in the past it I get the impression both are excellent and it's a matter of personal preference which is best (isn't it always!) with perhaps the Linn being a little more detailed and more 'hifi' and the NDS being more 'musical'.  But as I say, I've never done the comparison personally. A search here would probably bring up some of these past posts if you are interested?

I've compared an NDS with a KDS1 (not a DSM) if that is of any interest?

Not back to back but in the same afternoon in different rooms. The Linn is hugely impressive. Better in some ways to the NDS/555PS/555PS but I like the organic, visceral communication of Naim which always seems to grab me by the brain stem.  You can't lose either way. Only your ears will know what suits you best. If I was starting from scratch it would be a 50/50 and not an easy one. It's easier to stick when you've bled some money into your set up and it isn't bettered, just equalled.

oscarskeeper posted:

I've compared an NDS with a KDS1 (not a DSM) if that is of any interest?

What were your findings? Just curious.