ndac upgrade

In what set up are you using with to make this opinion  ?

Jon, you could say a nDAC is really rather not bad! 

Now, how about comparing a nDAC / nDAC+XP5 XS / nDAC+XPSDR? 

Myself, I'm curious if the middle option is worth (via s/h purchase) over the bare nDAC?

ongoing system from there is 52/52ps snaxo362/supercapdr 6x135 dbls

Frontending the ndac is HDX on input 1 and something else on input 2. And something else again on input 3. 

ndac is ok -- always found it a bit glarey, bit flat and shouty. XPSDR gets rid of all of that

try it with a 555ps dr

Aric posted:

Jon, you could say a nDAC is really rather not bad! 

Now, how about comparing a nDAC / nDAC+XP5 XS / nDAC+XPSDR? 

Myself, I'm curious if the middle option is worth (via s/h purchase) over the bare nDAC?

I've tried that and concluded that the XP5XS gave about 80% of the XPSDR's performance at half the price. Now, putting a 555PS on the nDAC is a whole new ball-game altogether.  

I concur with Mike, the 555PS (and for me the non DR version) really does boost the NDAC performance quite impressively - well it did so for mine at least

555ps pushes the price to a level that doesn't feel right. 

But it sure sounds right, Jon. To my ears, at least.

nDac is on my wishlist after speakers.

Have not studied my preferences regarding SQ of Dacs yet, but it fits the picture in connectivity.

It has loads of ports and I have loads of devices. TV (digital coax), macmini (optical), Chromecast Audio, Airport Express, Apple TV.

It omits an async usb, unfortunately, but this is no issue given the current devices I have.

Adding a 555ps it makes scarily real music (thanks Wayne)

Well I have something way better than ndac plus 555 for red book playback. For hi def I would look to nds plus 555 as being better vfm than ndac plus 555 I think 

I agree, having been there and done that. But the DAC is a high level DAC with a 555PS. You pay a lot and you get a lot in return.

Well.... runnig both NDX + nDAC + 555PS (non DR) and NDS + 555PSDR I can hear great sounding music coming out of both systems. To my ears both are on the same level. Some subtle differences, but the more I think about them the more I believe I actually imagined them.

Prior to that I used to run my nDAC with an XPS. Adding a pre-loved 555PS non-DR was a massive improvement. So massive that I would adtually hazard a statement: don't bother with an XPS. Just get a second-hand 555PS at half the price of a new XPS.

I found the NDAC/555PS a fantastic performer, however in my room, my system and tastes the Chord Electronics Hugo gave an overall more realistic and ultimately more satisfying rendition on Red Book and hidef.. spookily so... and gave me more of that Mandelbrot effect that I enjoy  (and that  I have described on another thread). In my opinion however the bass drive  of the NDAC /555PS is probably very hard to beat, and again probably slightly contentiously I feel out performs the NDS/555PS(DR)

About a month back I went from nDAC+XPSDR to nDAC+555DR.  Significant jump in SQ in doing so, in fact a surprising amount better.

Is that with the DAC fed from the NDS or from another digital diet?

Different digital input, not being fed from the NDS.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I found the NDAC/555PS a fantastic performer, however in my room, my system and tastes the Chord Electronics Hugo gave an overall more realistic and ultimately more satisfying rendition on Red Book and hidef.. spookily so... and gave me more of that Mandelbrot effect that I enjoy  (and that  I have described on another thread). In my opinion however the bass drive  of the NDAC /555PS is probably very hard to beat, and again probably slightly contentiously I feel out performs the NDS/555PS(DR)

I agree with your last statement, Simon, and that result surprised me.  I've never heard the Hugo and know it has many fans.  From the descriptions you and others have given on here I suspect the verve and vitality of the nDAC would probably sway me.  I'm mindful of our respective preferences for pre-amps: yours for the refinement of the 'debonair' 252 and mine for the 'rough-diamond' 282.      

Mike

I often ponder getting a PS for nDac but wonder of I will get the benefit with a 202/200/hicap DR. I get the feeling it will push me into 282/250 territory. 

Diggerbj posted:

I often ponder getting a PS for nDac but wonder of I will get the benefit with a 202/200/hicap DR. I get the feeling it will push me into 282/250 territory. 

 

Trying the modestly priced XP5XS on your nDAC might be the way to find out. The XP5XS matches the case-size of the nDAC too. My guess is you would gain a nice performance improvement while maintaining system balance.

Source first usually gives a benefit worth having. I don't think it will make your 202 sound like a 282 though. They sound different all by themselves. Same for the 200 to 250 jump. Nothing else sounds like a 250. 

Diggerbj posted:

I often ponder getting a PS for nDac but wonder of I will get the benefit with a 202/200/hicap DR. I get the feeling it will push me into 282/250 territory. 

 

Absolutely - I ran a NDAC/555PS on non Naim and then 202/HiCapDR/200 - certainly sounded fine - sure the NDAC/555PS will happily reveal more to you with greater NACs - but the 202/HiCapDR - and it does need to be the DR version in my experience - really performs rather well with that combo.

having fun playing with bnc to bnc cables from hdx and other sources...

Naim DC1 is flat and boring

lab grade bncbnc cable is lifelike bouncy and fun

HD-SDI 12G cable is wow

Jon - I found the DC1 best and most natural yet vibrant  sounding connecting NDX to Naim DAC - but moving to other DACs such as the Hugo - I have found Gotham AG 75ohm coax - Phono to BNC - sounds best between NDX and Hugo - slightly more naturally balanced and less 'forward' sounding than the DC1... for me really worthwhile in providing that extra magic.