ND5XS for the weekend
Posted by: frankster_666 on 29 October 2011
Just listening to ND5XS/nDAC/XPS2 and I'm impressed I borrowed the ND5XS for the weekend and will write down my conclusions on Monday.
FWIW, I spoke to a Naim dealer today who had actually heard both the ND5XS and NDX through the nDAC in a side by side comparison. Apparently they don't sound the same, although the difference between them is supposed to be slightly less than that of a CD5XS vs. CDX2.2 through the nDAC.
As always, let your own ears be the judge and guide you....
Hi Totemphile -
I assume this was a current model NDX (that had not received the board upgrade)?
This would jive with Allen's early comments about "small differences due to quality of power reaching the dig outs".
And of course, even small differences can become can magnified as one moves up the product hierarchy.
Thanks!
Hook
Hi Hook
I can only work on suppositions at the moment as my system has not been fully functional since the beginning of October.
When things do eventually get sorted out by Naim, I'll be coming at this from quite a different angle.
Allen
Bummer Allen! Wasn't aware you were having issues with your system.
I hope your dealer and Naim gets things resolved soon!
Hook
Is the board upgrade supposed improve the sound quality of the NDX as a streaming source or just to give it 192kHz capability?
just up to 192k, if you can find any that you enjoy try in 2015
So, in brief below my subjective impressions to ND5XS. A very interesting device.Please don’t mind my English I have the ND5 compared with nDAC and CDX2 using multiple digital sources (NAS / wireless, AppleTV2, OnkyoCD7711, USB-stick). The web radio I've only tried on the edge, because tonally less relevant (but fun). I've heard AIFF and WAV at 16/44,1 ; HiRes was WAV 24/176,4 and 24/192.
- ND5 vs. ND5 / nDAC
ND5 somewhat flatter, more laid back, less transparent in complex passages, nDAC a little brighter, higher resolution, more detailed, more powerful in the bass, more dynamic, more forward.
- CDP / Coax / nDAC vs. ND5 / nDAC
Generally equal in terms of pressure, dynamics, resolution, but ND5 cleaner, a bit rounder, any harshness is gone, the best thing I've ever heard as a digital source yet.
- CDX2 vs. ND5
Resolution on the same level, CDX2 more punchy, especially in the bass, higher foot-tapping-factor, more homogenous.
- CDP / Coax / ND5 vs. ND5
CDP flat, washed-out, a little harsh, ND5 more punchy, more homogeneous.
- ATV2 / nDAC vs. ND5 / nDAC
ATV2 flat, washed-out, harsh, ND5 much better, more detailed, more dynamic.
- ND5 / XPS2 vs. ND5
The XPS2 does what it always does. The bass is tighter, the sound cleaner and more homogeneous.
- ND5 / XPS2 vs. ND5 / XPS2 / nDAC
Generally equal in terms of resolution, dynamics and punch in the bass, but the different basic tonal character remains intact. ND5/XPS2 slightly darker, maybe slightly cleaner in tone, slightly tighter bass. NDAC, more forward, more aggressive, more voluminous bass. I could imagine that people, who find the NDAC too aggressive, would like ND5/XPS2 better. For prolonged listening ND5/XPS2 is maybe a tad more pleasant. Needless to say that ND5/nDAC/XPS2 is even better.
- CDP / Coax / ND5 vs. CDP / Coax / nDAC
ND5 flat, harsh, washed-out, less dynamic, less pressure. So jitter reduction seems not on par with nDAC.
- CDP / Coax / ND5 vs. CDP / Toslink / ND5
Toslink even weaker (flatter, washed out, less pressure).
- HiRes / USB / ND5 vs. ND5
USB sounds slightly better.
- HiRes / USB / nDAC vs. ND5 / nDAC
USB sounds slightly better.
Conclusion:
You can tell where the ND5 was saved: analog section and jitter reduction. The upgrade with the better value for money regarding XPS2 is the nDAC, but you should however take into account the different basic tonal character. However, we should perhaps wait until the “XPSND5” arrives. Actually, the ND5 is the device for those who already have an nDAC and want a pure digital Naim streamer without spending too much money on redundant functions. Unfortunately I had no NDX for comparison, but I can’t imagine that the digital output of the NDX is better than that of the ND5. Compared to usual digital sources ND5 is clearly superior.
The analog section of the NDX will probably be better (as well as that of the nDAC), so had to be saved somewhere. I.e. not that the ND5 sounds bad. Also without nDAC or power supply the ND5 is very convincing and is soundwise on or above CD5XS level. I still like the CDX2 a bit better as a stand-alone unit.
IMO the ND5 is for Naim-terms a real bargain and arrives right on (Christmas-)time. It fits well into the existing Naim-hierarchy. Those without nDAC, and who also don’t want to have one, should grab more likely the NDX.
What bothers me is the use of the somewhat shaky and not very sophisticated nStream app, since it is obviously still in its infancy. With Sonos e.g. the control concept is certainly not (yet) comparable. The main advantage in streaming over CD IMHO should finally be an ease of use at least on iTunes-level. So I am still undecided whether I should put on very good hardware with the hope of better software. Or just wait.
Very interesting read. Muss wirklich ein sehr anstregendes Wochenende sein. (Ich have an der TU Berlin Studiert).