Dipping toes into the NAS (world) with no clue and getting rid of the CD player

Evolving technology offering myriad choice is a wonderful thing, but it can make our lives more complicated and stressful. Audiophiles of a certain age hereabouts will remember the days of 'Turntable, integrated amp and pair of loudspeakers'. Sorted. No worries about support tables and cables with silly price tags.

Anyroad; back to the real (current) current world, in an effort to join in and confuse you a bit more Stephen. There is something to be said for HH's recommendation of 272/200. I reckon the 272 is Naim's current jewel in the crown at the price. A local friend gets a really nice sound from 272/DR-XPS/300 and 272/200 is if course more affordable - with similar flavours.

Or ............. just blow the money on a really good holiday and get very drunk on a regular basis. A potentially more enjoyable and less stressful alternative.

(T&C's apply, and you might need to get the permission of The Health Police).

Good luck.

John.

J.N. posted:

Evolving technology offering myriad choice is a wonderful thing, but it can make our lives more complicated and stressful. Audiophiles of a certain age hereabouts will remember the days of 'Turntable, integrated amp and pair of loudspeakers'. Sorted. No worries about support tables and cables with silly price tags.

Anyroad; back to the real (current) current world, in an effort to join in and confuse you a bit more Stephen. There is something to be said for HH's recommendation of 272/200. I reckon the 272 is Naim's current jewel in the crown at the price. A local friend gets a really nice sound from 272/DR-XPS/300 and 272/200 is if course more affordable - with similar flavours.

Or ............. just blow the money on a really good holiday and get very drunk on a regular basis. A potentially more enjoyable and less stressful alternative.

(T&C's apply, and you might need to get the permission of The Health Police).

Good luck.

John.

 

 

There you go Stephen, a couple more alternatives to drive you completely round the twist.

J.N. posted:

Or ............. just blow the money on a really good holiday and get very drunk on a regular basis. A potentially more enjoyable and less stressful alternative. 

Indeed John. My partner and I plan to do just that come the middle of this august.  A week on the Isle Of Wight has been booked as from today where we can forget about all the normal things like hi fi, anything internet and work for little a while...then a Victorious festival in Portsmouth to mark the end of this brilliant summer. Hopefully the ND5 XS 2 will be out by then, the dust would of settled and I would of at least grabbed some sort of my sanity back to be able to embrace all things digital again, in preparation for the silly season we call Christmas. Well; that's plan 'B' anyway!

Thanks!

We are certainly living in strange times. Some sources are printing that the Naim ND5 XS 2 is going to be priced at £1,999 and some retailers are printing the same player is going to be priced at £2,300. Even the pricing is confusing it seems...

Are there two versions? 

Stephen Tate posted:

We are certainly living in strange times. Some sources are printing that the Naim ND5 XS 2 is going to be priced at £1,999 and some retailers are printing the same player is going to be priced at £2,300. Even the pricing is confusing it seems...

Are there two versions? 

So just stick your order in quick with a dealer who is selling it for £1999!

if you're looking at putting an Ethernet cable in, why not also consider adding a dedicated mains spur as well. this is a great upgrade for any system

Now very much considering a Rega Saturn R CD player.

there is so many choices for 2k sources:  rega saturn, naim cd5xs, second hand cdx2, rega rp6, naim nd5xs2, second hand 272/200, linn lp12 entry level, second hand ndx, and thousands of other brands, like simaudio, marantz, linn.....

Personnaly, if i were you, with the goal of not wanting further upgrades, i would sell the nait 5i , cd5i, arcam dac, and would buy a second hand 272/200: it is a 202 pre with 200 amp and nd5xs streamer.   This combo is a good step better than nait 5i/ nd5xs2, perhaps 2 steps even...     Even if nd5xs2 will be a bit better than nd5xs,  the 202/200 is much much better than nait5i.

Stephen Tate posted:

Now very much considering a Rega Saturn R CD player.

Why are you wearing sunglasses, Stephen? Did somebody give you a black eye?!

ChrisSU posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

Now very much considering a Rega Saturn R CD player.

Why are you wearing sunglasses, Stephen? Did somebody give you a black eye?!

No black eyes yet Chris, fortunately. In all honesty i'm firing up the QNAP on the odd moment I have spare and am trying to get to know it's operating system as well as adding new music at the same time. Roll on the ND5 XS 2 launch is all I can say!! 

I have considered the Rega but I think I have already got over that one already. I want new and new is what I shall have!

Thanks

Stephen Tate posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

Now very much considering a Rega Saturn R CD player.

Why are you wearing sunglasses, Stephen? Did somebody give you a black eye?!

No black eyes yet Chris, fortunately. In all honesty i'm firing up the QNAP on the odd moment I have spare and am trying to get to know it's operating system as well as adding new music at the same time. Roll on the ND5 XS 2 launch is all I can say!! 

I have considered the Rega but I think I have already got over that one already. I want new and new is what I shall have!

Thanks

That's the spirit Stephen. Plan A.....Plan A......Plan A.

French Rooster posted:

there is so many choices for 2k sources:  rega saturn, naim cd5xs, second hand cdx2, rega rp6, naim nd5xs2, second hand 272/200, linn lp12 entry level, second hand ndx, and thousands of other brands, like simaudio, marantz, linn.....

Personnaly, if i were you, with the goal of not wanting further upgrades, i would sell the nait 5i , cd5i, arcam dac, and would buy a second hand 272/200: it is a 202 pre with 200 amp and nd5xs streamer.   This combo is a good step better than nait 5i/ nd5xs2, perhaps 2 steps even...     Even if nd5xs2 will be a bit better than nd5xs,  the 202/200 is much much better than nait5i.

Nope. I am perfectly happy with the Nait 5si into Motive SX2 speakers, ths combo sounds stunning to these ears, especially with CD5si as source.

Just need a ND5 XS 2 to compliment it.

Thanks

Stephen Tate posted:

French Rooster posted:

there is so many choices for 2k sources:  rega saturn, naim cd5xs, second hand cdx2, rega rp6, naim nd5xs2, second hand 272/200, linn lp12 entry level, second hand ndx, and thousands of other brands, like simaudio, marantz, linn.....

Personnaly, if i were you, with the goal of not wanting further upgrades, i would sell the nait 5i , cd5i, arcam dac, and would buy a second hand 272/200: it is a 202 pre with 200 amp and nd5xs streamer.   This combo is a good step better than nait 5i/ nd5xs2, perhaps 2 steps even...     Even if nd5xs2 will be a bit better than nd5xs,  the 202/200 is much much better than nait5i.

Nope. I am perfectly happy with the Nait 5si into Motive SX2 speakers, ths combo sounds stunning to these ears, especially with CD5si as source.

Just need a ND5 XS 2 to compliment it.

Thanks

just my point of view, but i am not you.  But something tells me you will change several times your mind, till the probably october arrival of the nd5xs2.    Just a feeling after 23 pages of this thread....

I used to be indecisive.

These days however I am not so sure.

Yes, I am quite indecisive and OCD as well. I do find making decision making very difficult indeed but I have finally made up my mind now even though it's been quite torturous to do so. I am firmly sticking with what I have and am going to purchase the ND5 XS 2 when it's available. I have a rather compact listening environment and to start upgrading to a higher end system will be OTT in my situation as I will not be able to make the most from it. I have to really consider my neighbours here and my Nait 5si is more than ample for the job and so are the Neat's to be fair. No one has complained yet so I see my current system as inoffensive, which is good, good for everyone. Plus I really enjoy it's music making, it's easily enough for me.

Tonight I put The Best Of The Police CD on and this really got me clicking my fingers, very enjoyable with my foot really tapping along with the music, I just hope I will get the same musicality and from the streamer too.

I'm sorry for dripping this thread on, hopefully the next time I post I will have the Naim streamer in  place and praising it like no tomorrow. I am really looking forward to that day to say the least.

After that I hope to get a Fraim Lite rack and this will be the final jigsaw piece for my entry level Naim system, one that I hope will last me years of continued musical fun!

Thanks very much all!

Stephen Tate posted:

Yes, I am quite indecisive and OCD as well. I do find making decision making very difficult indeed but I have finally made up my mind now even though it's been quite torturous to do so. I am firmly sticking with what I have and am going to purchase the ND5 XS 2 when it's available. 

 

I’m pleased to hear it. As suggested earlier, just forget about everything system-wise until you get that call from your dealer, else you risk being drawn into those questions again.

Stephen, this is a new and varied field you are entering, with lots of alternative directions you could take. This is bound to cause some degree of indecision.

I happen to believe, now you are overcoming the technical hurdles, you are on the right course and it pains me to see so many new suggestions, even after 23 pages, that can only serve to confound and confuse even further.

I suspect the ND5 XS2 is going to be a real gem. Naim have stripped back all the ‘nice to haves’ on this model (e.g. the unnecessary colour screen) and have focussed on pure audio performance utilising the new digital platform. My bet is that it will be the best VFM streamer Naim have ever produced.

Keep the faith Stephen.

+1 for what Nigel said - Naim have learned a great deal about handling digital to analogue since they designed the CD player. I reckon the ND5 XS2 will smoke it.

you may not believe me Stephen, but i am glad for you that you made this final choice .  As said IB, don’t look now on new ideas or opportunities, forget all, and enjoy the summer !

Thank you for all your kind words guys! 

Stephen Tate posted:

Yes, I am quiteindecisive and OCD as well. 

No 5hit, Stephen boy. World Cup and  Tennis over  and Brexit, well... almost there! Don't give up, son! 

Hey Stephen, some dealers have already the nd5xs2.  Do you know when you will receive it ?

A member was impressed by the new nd5xs2( ndx2 thread).

Yes, I was at my dealer today and heard a NDX2 in a much more impressive setup than I could ever muster and thought it sounded amazing. My dealer tells me that any moment now I will get the call when they have ND5 XS 2!! 

I am both excited and nervous for you.

Stock up on the teabags and the very best of British to you.

Your not in the dinosaur brigade and that's to be commended.

ATB,

Mike

Thanks Mike. I have to say that after hearing the NDX2 at my retailer and with all the talk of the new network players reaching peoples homes, I'm starting to feel really excited and can't wait to slot a ND5 XS 2 into my system. I have been building my music library up all summer and am really enjoying my CD5SI/NAIT5SI combo together with my Neat Motive SX2 speakers and if it blows that away, i'll be totally gobsmacked to say the least.