Spotify with nd5 xs or NDX?

Personally I think its unlikely we will see Spotify integrated but you never know, we can live in hope. It's more likely we may see AirPlay integrated - that would allow you to stream Spotify from your iOS device to the streamer without additional kit

Thanks for the replies guys.

I suppose the best option would be to plug my ipad in to the front using the USB input and just play spotify tracks through that if I am to get rid of the ZP90.

It is a real shame there not going to add spotify as well as the ND5 XS would be the perfect all in one for me then as a source without the need for messing around with plugging in USB cables etc.

Interesting, Huw

I have a Supernait and mostly use Spotify via my Mac Mini optical. Does the nDAC improve over the SN DAC? And, does the USB method improve things too? 

I'm demoing the nDAC today so will take my iPhone and cable too. 

I wasn't overly impressed with the nDAC when I had a demo of it last year. It did add a little sparkle but wasn't mind blowing especially for £2000 and I ended up taking the Rega DAC home which had 99% of the qualities of the nDAC but at 25% of the price.

Hi Novak,

It does improve on the SN Dac but as with all things hifi, it's diminishing returns.  With a Squeezebox you do notice a difference, the same with Macbook Pro via optical. The full potential of the nDAC is only apparent when you put a USB stick in to it. At that point it is significantly better than the SN. So the potential is obviously there. However, control of the USB stick is non existant - you can only play in one order.

Spotify does sound very good through the nDAC, for what it is.

The nDAC comes in to its own with an NDX running it, you get the control and quality of sound.

If I was standing here with a SN and had to get a new digital product I would say, forget the nDAC and get an NDX or even an ND5x. Unless you have revealing speakers and intend to get a PSU added to the nDAC then there is not enough difference to justify the extra 2k for the nDAC with a NDX.

I already had the nDAC and it does improve on the NDX but I can't help thinking an NDX and 2k on a PSU for it (new or 2nd hand) and stopping there would be a better choice. I'm now thinking PSU for nDAC and pre/power in a never ending circle of upgrades!

Maybe I can come to my senses, Regards

Huw

I'm actually in a predicament already as to how far to go and which route to take. I even went as far as placing my Rega DAC for sale then I sat there listening to 'Ceremonials' by Florence + the machine and thought how much better can the ND5 XS be than this considering its going to cost £1500 on top of my current source.

I had a quick look on the hdtracks website and couldn't find one track on there I would want to spend my money on and listen to. I could only see myself buying the tracks to show off my system to one or two of my mates who are in to hi-fi / av.

So I've removed the thread for my DAC and got a hundred and one thoughts running through my head.

I know my system isn't a patch on some on here but if its enough to keep my happy maybe I should just save my money for now...

Graham I'm pretty similar to yourself mainly playing spotify premium as the music collection on there is vast and bigger than anyones own music collection I should imagine.

Its so nice when friends are round to just sit with the iphone/ipad and play some tracks old and new that we all enjoy and just sit there with  drink in hand listening to some tunes none of us own on cd but can relate to how good it was etc.

At present my system works so well for me in this respect as well as sounding very respectable playing 16bit FLAC files that I find it a hard prospect to spend quite a large chunk of cash.

Maybe I need to spend a few days with an NDX5 XS or NDX to really appreciate what I'm missing?

I for one found a big issue with synergy between the rega dac and the NaitXS amp that I have. So much so that I got a CIAudio PSU for my SBTouch. Now I play spotify with the dac in the SBTouch and am pretty happy. Put the Rega Dac in a second system. I love the Rega Dac. It's just that it's got synergy issues with the naitxs.

Mine sounds excellent with the Rega. Its one of the most extensive demo sessions I had at the time when looking for a new DAC and the rega worked really well.

I can't say I've tried every DAV available but for the price/performance in my system the Rega certainly came top.

@arcam_boy: what speakers do you have?

Like I said, I love the Rega Dac, but it just didn't have the right synergy as a source for the NaitXS and Rega RS5 speakers in my room.

Saying it differently: you think the rega dac is awesome now? Try it with the Brio-R and a pair of Rega RS5s. That's where it'll truly shine.