Connecting XPS ps to Naim ndac

Remove power lead from nDac it gets all the power from XPS 

That is not correct. If you look in the manual it is very clear that the dac's own power supply must remain connected. So with an XPS connected, you need two mains wires. 

I stand corrected, sorry Jean-Yves....  I used to own this setup nDac/XPS a few years back god my memory must be fading 

HH is correct plug in the nDac to the mains !!

'...a non-Naim "XPS" ' - believe discussion of non-Naim PSU's is contrary to the Forum Rules. 

I have a ndac and XPS unplug the ndac and all you hear is silence 

if using the XPS with CDX2 then CDX2 mains plug is unplugged

Jean-Yves posted:

Hello

Im gonna purchase a non-Naim "XPS" for my Naim ndac.

 

Why?

The Naim XPS is way too expensive. Its above my budget. 

hicap then

second hand, and then i thin you can DR it later on?

Hi Jon I dont think the Hicap can be used with the ndac as it does not have a bundy socket.

HiCap will not work with nDAC. NDAC needs: XP5XS, XPS or 555PS.

i've been there done that with alternative power supplies - not worth it. Just look for a second-hand XPS or 555PS.

Jean-Yves,

I'll challenge the forum rules, with the best intentions. Two single excerpts from my own experience, hoping they can be of help.

One – a few years ago I spent an afternoon in a friend's audio store comparing various configurations that could include an XPS: CDX2, N-Dac, HDX. The idea was to compare the CDX2 and the HDX, then try to different options allowed by the fact that all three units can be upgraded with an XPS. We then tried bare CDX2 vs bare HDX, then the XPS on each alternatively, then each with the DAC and then the XPS on the DAC... Confusing perhaps, but something became clear to me: the CDX2 benefitted most from the XPS, the N-Dac least.

Two – Years ago I bought a non-Naim PSU, coming from the same troubled country I imagine your XPS would come from; I intended to use it on my Nait XS. After ten days or so I sent it back: it brought some finesse, made everything a little more polite and took away some of the pleasant bump and energy that Naim PSUs bring to the party. A Powerline (costing more, to be honest) did more for the XS than it.

A non-Naim XPS is still something in the £1000 zone: absurd, in my opinion, to spend that sum for a marginal upgrade (if ever) of just a part of the DAC's circuits.

My opinion only,

Best

Max

No hicap? Ah didn't know. I went from ndac to ndac with xpsdr

and thinking about it hicap is the same family as supercap so that definitely wouldn't work 

Why not look for a second hand XPS?  

Agree with Max's summary - I tried XPSDR on my nDAC. It seemed to add very little. I then tested and eventually bought a pre-loved 555PS (non-DR) - now this was a DAC to behold!

Adam, a 555PS would change our Class A Mercedes into a Lamborghini..

Thanks to all for your usefull advise.

Massimo Bertola posted:

Jean-Yves,

I'll challenge the forum rules, with the best intentions. Two single excerpts from my own experience, hoping they can be of help.

One – a few years ago I spent an afternoon in a friend's audio store comparing various configurations that could include an XPS: CDX2, N-Dac, HDX. The idea was to compare the CDX2 and the HDX, then try to different options allowed by the fact that all three units can be upgraded with an XPS. We then tried bare CDX2 vs bare HDX, then the XPS on each alternatively, then each with the DAC and then the XPS on the DAC... Confusing perhaps, but something became clear to me: the CDX2 benefitted most from the XPS, the N-Dac least.

Two – Years ago I bought a non-Naim PSU, coming from the same troubled country I imagine your XPS would come from; I intended to use it on my Nait XS. After ten days or so I sent it back: it brought some finesse, made everything a little more polite and took away some of the pleasant bump and energy that Naim PSUs bring to the party. A Powerline (costing more, to be honest) did more for the XS than it.

A non-Naim XPS is still something in the £1000 zone: absurd, in my opinion, to spend that sum for a marginal upgrade (if ever) of just a part of the DAC's circuits.

My opinion only,

Best

Max

 

That's exactly what has just happened to a guy who has matched it to his XS. 

sorry Max didn't wish you merry Xmas I've been sick recently

Hi Adam I have a XPS DR connected to my NDac

did I waste my money as I only have had it a week

should I look for a second hand 555

cheers Tony

Tony, yes the 555ps is a better addition to the nDAC in my opinion, but give the XPSDR a chance. Forgive me for saying, but you seem to be swopping your boxes rather frequently. It'is going to be a costly hobby at this rate.

Always audition your options if possible before committing yourself. If you are buying second hand it may be more cost effective to use a dealer, which at least gives you the chance to audition before buying or not.

tonycurran1 posted:

Hi Adam I have a XPS DR connected to my NDac

did I waste my money as I only have had it a week

should I look for a second hand 555

cheers Tony

Tony - of course not! Give it 6-8 weeks to settle into your system. And then remove it just to see if you miss it  

I think I should have been a bit more careful with my statement above - I tried both XPSDR and 555 on my nDAC. XPS refined it and 555PS took it to another level. Both are worthwile additions.

Before I ordered a new PSU I found a 6 months old XPSDR at half the price in Poland and a pre-loved 555PS (non-DR) at roughly the same price, but from a UK dealer (for a re-capped version). So I went for the 555PS

Enjoy your XPS - it is a good PSU. If you get an upgrade twitch possibly add a PowerLine - try the XPS first and leave the standard Naim cord on the nDAC. External PSU powers the analogue output stage, so this is where all thehelp is needed.

Most importantly - enjoy the music.

Adam

tonycurran1 posted:

Hi Adam I have a XPS DR connected to my NDac

did I waste my money as I only have had it a week

should I look for a second hand 555

cheers Tony

You wasted your money if you can hear no difference. Only you know whether you can or not.

Remember that there will always be someone with a better system than you. Once you stop caring about that your music will sound much better. 

Hi H I chatted with my dealer today he had a 555ps second hand

he did a straight swap for my XPS DR

i did listen to it with my CDX2 and Naim dac the difference was amazing even from cold it's not the DR 555 but it sounds great.

tonycurran1 posted:

Hi H I chatted with my dealer today he had a 555ps second hand

he did a straight swap for my XPS DR

i did listen to it with my CDX2 and Naim dac the difference was amazing even from cold it's not the DR 555 but it sounds great.

Ok - this is a very good setup now

PowerLine goes on the 555PS and a regular Naim power cord on the nDAC - somehow this combo seems to work best. You can put another PowerLine on your CDX2 at some stage too.