NDS compared to Dave

Alba1320 posted:

Rarely, if ever, is there consensus in the world of Hi-Fi...

I don't agree with that

Hmm this is a very interesting thread, I've been waiting for this one.... 

Given that one's a DAC and one is a streamer it is slightly case of apples and oranges. Any fair test would have the same renderer feeding both.

That can either be the NDS as is compaired to the NDS connected to the Dave via digital out (the NDS is the renderer in both cases). Or another renderer like a Mac Mini connected to the digital in on both the NDS and Dave (NDS used just as a DAC).

Consensus is that NDS does system automation better, in a Naim system, and doesn't sound half- bad while doing it.

Beyond that, no consensus at all, l'll wager.

Nick

Dave will soon have a matching upsampling CD transport with BNC and USB inputs, but cost 8000 GBP alone (along with 8500 GBP for Dave)

this combined unit will be able to resolve digital with a million taps.

so 16500 GBP Blu2/Dave compared to NDS/555DR. 

problem is very few people in the world have heard the demo unit of the Blu2 along with Dave.

Hi I was assuming that the Dave would be streamed hi res ..... and the NDS would stream the same to test sound quality....take your point they are not exactly the same.....but at the end of the day allot of people stream .....

I am interested in the Dave.... especially since it has a preamp....it could be epic.

I Have done back to back with a SPDIF->Hugo and NDS/555PS and I preferred the Hugo... it seems to have an inner naturalness and ebb and flow that I don't  hear on the NDS. Systems used, many including 552DR/500. Content was almost all 44.1/16

i have heard the DAVE a few times but not back to back with NDS... so far haven't been bowled over.. unlike the other DACs yet to have extended listen on home system, but then my system is a more humble 252DR/250 /ATC

I do agree with Simon about the fluidity and flow of music of a recent Chord DAC (from Hugo onwards).

It is quite intoxicating to my ears 

The test would be interesting indeed. Now also the software of the NDS has moved on from the initial versions. A dreamtest would be 

NDX + NDAC + 555PS against

NDX + Dave against

NDS + 555PS

I guess you will find fans in all camps.

I wouldn't let it stop me from buying a specific box but it is a shame that the aesthetic style of Chord products is more "mega flash bling wicked mate" than the reserved nature we are used to from most other hi-fi brands of a certain price range. I always feel like the TT and Dave are one very small step away from adding graphic equalizers.

You can get away with the Hugo because it is small. But it is a miniature piece of visual bling with it's glowing colour eye, no mistake.

OTOH, Chord definately go their own way with the styling and I have to respect that.

feeling_zen posted:

"mega flash bling wicked mate"

Like, innit.

C.

feeling_zen posted:

Given that one's a DAC and one is a streamer it is slightly case of apples and oranges. Any fair test would have the same renderer feeding both.

That can either be the NDS as is compaired to the NDS connected to the Dave via digital out (the NDS is the renderer in both cases). Or another renderer like a Mac Mini connected to the digital in on both the NDS and Dave (NDS used just as a DAC).

You are right, of course, but the problem with this approach is that it is just an academic exercise. You would be comparing a system you might buy with one that you wouldn't buy, and to my mind, the only meaningful comparison is between systems that are implemented in the way you would actually use them after purchase. 

Unless, of course, your belief in the importance of the digital transport is so strong that your ultimate goal is NDS/555/Dave!

Whilst it would be interesting to know how they compare, it also clearly depends on the system they are used in, and the listener's ears and preferences for musical presentation, at least unless one is so far 'ahead' of the other in every way, which I wouldn't expect. So to be meaningful it would need at least several different people and different systems for a concensus to be meaningful - once upon a time you might have had maybe three different magazines do 'shootouts', but those days are long gone, so it is largely up to interested parties like readers of this thread...

I suspectbthe only way this would happen would be for a few owners of NDS and Dave to pair up and do the comparison in each others' systems.

Christopher_M posted:

feeling_zen posted:

"mega flash bling wicked mate"

Like, innit.

C.

Now I just have Catherine Tait in my head, saying 'Ain't it tho'...

I am going to the Bristol show .... I will take a good look and listen ...... 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Whilst it would be interesting to know how they compare, it also clearly depends on the system they are used in, and the listener's ears and preferences for musical presentation, at least unless one is so far 'ahead' of the other in every way, which I wouldn't expect. So to be meaningful it would need at least several different people and different systems for a concensus to be meaningful - once upon a time you might have had maybe three different magazines do 'shootouts', but those days are long gone, so it is largely up to interested parties like readers of this thread...

I suspectbthe only way this would happen would be for a few owners of NDS and Dave to pair up and do the comparison in each others' systems.

And although the thread is entitled "NDS compared to Dave", if you are evaluating these two with a view to a potential purchase, it might be advisable to bear in mind that other worthy alternatives are available. At this sort of money it would be foolish not to at least try some of the alternatives as well. 

well Gary Shaw of this forum has compared DAVE to CD555 

He ended up buying the Dave...

analogmusic posted:

well Gary Shaw of this forum has compared DAVE to CD555 

He ended up buying the Dave...

To put in context, what was the source for Dave, another CD transport, or a streaming source? It is a somewhat different comparison from NDS compared...

Ndx

Hmack posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Whilst it would be interesting to know how they compare, it also clearly depends on the system they are used in, and the listener's ears and preferences for musical presentation, at least unless one is so far 'ahead' of the other in every way, which I wouldn't expect. So to be meaningful it would need at least several different people and different systems for a concensus to be meaningful - once upon a time you might have had maybe three different magazines do 'shootouts', but those days are long gone, so it is largely up to interested parties like readers of this thread...

I suspectbthe only way this would happen would be for a few owners of NDS and Dave to pair up and do the comparison in each others' systems.

And although the thread is entitled "NDS compared to Dave", if you are evaluating these two with a view to a potential purchase, it might be advisable to bear in mind that other worthy alternatives are available. At this sort of money it would be foolish not to at least try some of the alternatives as well. 

The trouble could be that if any one that you hear sounds truly and wonderfully beguilling and all-consuming, and alternatives are not readily available to compare at the same time,  you may go away with but one thought pervading your senses ...I want it, I need it, I will get it, NOW!

hificritic did a very short comparison between nds and dave in its latest issue. Dave was reviewed in it. The reviewer was Rafael Todes; He used Martin Collom's system for the comparison.

Naim are now entering the realm of computer audio .... where things change quite quickly....it won't be long before we see some major updates to naim dac's.... expect to see the Hugo 2 sending ripples through the  hi fi world. As for Dave this is good value considering the pre amp.... I will certainly be checking it out....along with many others probably.....exciting times...

Styling would clash horribly with the rest of my Classic system and can't stand the thought of having something called a Dave. Clive, Brian or Derek perhaps

Ha good point!!! thingymagig.....

Ravenswood10 posted:

Styling would clash horribly with the rest of my Classic system and can't stand the thought of having something called a Dave. Clive, Brian or Derek perhaps

Be careful what you say about Clives. There are at least two of us on here!