Upgrade 2005-ish Nap250 with DR and Recap? Or trade in and buy new?

Well, to me the nDAC improves massively the performance of either nd5xs or NDX.

True there may be evidence nowadays are much into integrating and nDAC has yet to prove it would be as good an implementation as before ,why is there still room for a separate dac into the newer baby?

ChrisSU posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

So a dac that has been out five years or more has a better chip than a brand new product?

Don’t tell all those people who’ve just wasted £20k on a new ND555 that they could have got the same discontinued DAC in a used product for £1500. ????

Yes, it’s the same chip in the nDac as the ND555. But of course, as we know, the chip is only a part of the story. It’s what one does with it that counts. 

Antonio1 posted:

Well, to me the nDAC improves massively the performance of either nd5xs or NDX.

Which I guess it should do. DAC chipset differences aside, bear in mind that while the ND5xs and NDX use op amps, the Naim DAC has discrete filters and output stage.

Good to see that the NDX2 has moved to something similar.

We should not forget that a simple 550 GBP UnitiQute 1 does convey music nicely as well as a GBP 55000+ system. There are definitely (big) differences, but this personal mortal being is very happy and thankful for the products which were made for the people.

And ... I do remember that I listened to certain recordings a few years ago and I was very happy. I recently tried to rediscover some of them, but I was a bit surprised that I actually liked them. Apparently I've grown.

Yes the UniQute is still a wonderful unit, still going strong after 8 years chez Sloop. And a Roon endpoint thanks to Sonore’s UPnP bridge. 

A new Nait 2 in the making IMHO. 

Ardbeg10y posted:

We should not forget that a simple 550 GBP UnitiQute 1 does convey music nicely as well as a GBP 55000+ system. There are definitely (big) differences, but this personal mortal being is very happy and thankful for the products which were made for the people.

Owning both a UQ2 and a rack of black Naim boxes that cost 20x more, I can say the UQ2 is a fantastic machine. I do most of my listening on it.

That said, it cannot convey music anywhere close to the main system. I find the the level of system greatly affects what music I am able to discover and appreciate. Once I've "discovered" something on the main system I can enjoy it on the lesser. But if I had only heard some stuff on the UQ2, I might have been unable to get into it and realuse how great it was. 

There was a period of over 10 years where I was between real systems, making do with an Onkyo micro system. My taste in music during this time left something to be desired.

Richard Dane posted:

Antonio1 posted:

Well, to me the nDAC improves massively the performance of either nd5xs or NDX.

Which I guess it should do. DAC chipset differences aside, bear in mind that while the ND5xs and NDX use op amps, the Naim DAC has discrete filters and output stage.

Good to see that the NDX2 has moved to something similar.

You ve a good point here.

that would explain the massive expectation over the previous model and I’m pretty much positive about that.

feeling_zen posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

We should not forget that a simple 550 GBP UnitiQute 1 does convey music nicely as well as a GBP 55000+ system. There are definitely (big) differences, but this personal mortal being is very happy and thankful for the products which were made for the people.

Owning both a UQ2 and a rack of black Naim boxes that cost 20x more, I can say the UQ2 is a fantastic machine. I do most of my listening on it.

That said, it cannot convey music anywhere close to the main system. I find the the level of system greatly affects what music I am able to discover and appreciate. Once I've "discovered" something on the main system I can enjoy it on the lesser. But if I had only heard some stuff on the UQ2, I might have been unable to get into it and realuse how great it was. 

There was a period of over 10 years where I was between real systems, making do with an Onkyo micro system. My taste in music during this time left something to be desired.

For the past 2-3 years I was doing most of my listening on the UQ2/NAP100 system.  No longer with the recent re-do of my 'main' system.  But it's (the UQ2) is still a wonderfully musical device that provides a lot of musical enjoyment!  If I were reduced to living in 700 sq feet as some friends have just downsized to, it could be my only system certainly.  I recommended that they think about the new Uniti line for their flat.

Antonio1 posted:

Well, to me the nDAC improves massively the performance of either nd5xs or NDX.

I'm convinced it does! But if one already owns the Naim Dac, would one in their right mind add a $3500 ND5XS2 to it??  Would the money be better put towards an XPS2 or 555DR?  

I go upstream first.

But downstream hey...well, you definitely right a path anyone would testify it ‘s a great idea.

A lot of awesome advice in here.  Appreciate it all.  As for the Dac discussion.  I'm all about what sounds best to me.  All I'm saying is I already have it, so I'll demo new potential upgrades with and without it.  The amount I wouild probably get on a sale or trade in is not incentive enough to get rid of it.  I have it...  so i'll explore keeping it.  Especially if I go Core or NAS option as many have discussed.  

So I appreciate the friendly debate.  

I'm not a fan of upgrading for just the sake of it... although we all have it in us a little.  When I was at my dealer, we listened to some $35,000 speakers.  I'm happy to say, I didn't enjoy them at all.  There was nothing wrong with them, they were amazing for certain reasons.  They just didn't get my "foot tapping."  

My goal is a fun listening experience, while not wasting money.  But if sounds groovy... i'll buy it. 

As for the original reason I posted this thread.  I think i'm just going to DR the 250 and recap because it's due for service.  Also, all my dealer demos have been on the latest 250, and I've been enjoying it.  

Thanks all!!