New NDS Streamer

Rich, Geoff

I loaded it up and it seems to work, but I only tried converting from one format to another on it. I assumed the rest of it would work, but I may be fooling myself. I'll try it out more fully during the weekend. 

I'm not keen on using Parallels because you have to buy a Windows licence which is against my pomaceous religion. Parallels is good for running Linux though. 

All the best, Guy 

That's good to know. You are right about not having to start up iTunes, Playback works independently too, no need to start up iTunes here either.

Thanks

tp 

Patrick

I seem to recall several months ago a post where you admitted to never having heard a KDS - or CD555 for that matter. I have heard one (KDS) - and own the other(CD555).  I think people need to have either demoed or owned equipment before they pass judgement on capabilities or sound performance.  As for myself I only post and comment on equipment I have heard (or preferably have owned). My profile indicates this.

If you look at Phil's post you will see that the features you allude to are still a moving target.  

As for myself I, like you, live in the US.  In the past there has been a significant lag between when the UK gets  product and when we see it over here. I would venture to say that the NDS will not make it to our shores until next fall. In the meantime my 555 does not get much use (sorry but the LP12 is to blame for that). The KDS will tide me over for the next year and then we can see what will be. 

I do not mind admitting that mine is also partly a business decision (I can't help it however I also think in this way). I am sure you have seen how long and at what prices CD555's languish on Audiogon.  It is only going to get worse as more and more people move over to digital.  Now seems like a good time to make the move. I am sure others will to if the NDS  proves to better the 555. I am curious to see if Naim will make this claim once the performance parameters are finalized. 

Best

Gregg

Guy, Totemphile, and Geoff

Dbpoweramp ONLY works with Windows. It will not work under Crossover. Although  I am strictly a Mac user (since the late 80's) I broke down and purchased Parallels and a copy of Windows 7 so I could use Dbpoweramp (which IS the best ripping program).  I have had direct emails with Mr. Spoon - he recommends Parallels over VMWare Fusion (Fusion will work though). 

Asset is listed on Spoon's website as working with Crossover (and Geoff has confirmed to me that it does).  I will give it a try HOWEVER when I emailed Spoon about this once again his preference was for Parallels and a copy of Windows rather than Crossover.  Do consider that my email to him stated that I would be willing to purchase yet another copy of Windows.  I guess there is something in Windows performance which has him prefer that solution rather than Crossover. 

There is an individual who has written a new UpNP program - Minim Server. He has also released a Mac port. There now seem to be some choices for Mac users.

I can also confirm that Asset works great on a Mac with Parallels/Windows.

Sorry for hijacking this thread. 

Best

Gregg

PS

Everyone off to bed!!!

You all have a big day at Bristol tomorrow! 

Gregg

Gregg,

Look in the music room on the Kraftwerk NYC thread.

Stu.

In my experience both KDS and Naim DAC have made a massive break-through in details and sound transparency comparing to the best CDPs. The main reason is obviously a new era of jitter handling which allows to extract more from conventional Red Books (which were previously thought to be maxed-out already). TBH many old CDs (and even new ones) don't benefit from this leap at all and I usually prefer listening them on the silky-smooth KDS rather than nDAC which tends to accentuate poor digitization a-la 80s - 90s or crappy mass-production mastering a-la 2000s - 2010s. 

I have a chance to audition both gears in the top-class environment and I honestly believe the sonic difference is not a thunder any more. They do sound differently but not to the same degree as it was common between Linn and Naim before.

Linn is still a bit relaxed and Naim is still a bit more energetic -- so what? Not a big deal to me.

I was always so skeptical about Linn CDPs (which I tried so many times before and was NEVER happy), even the first audition of ADS several years ago could not move me from Naim despite the clear leap in transparency. But it seems that Klimax has substantially moved towards Naim sound (in terms of weight, dynamic range and articulation). Very impressive given a size/look of this small box. On the other hand if NDS can smooth down a bit edgy nDAC presentation it will compete with KDS easily because nDAC/555PS was almost there (and even better than KDS in bass weight). 

Obviously those who will pay $$$ for NDS/555PS will publish the devastating reviews on whatever comes into their view and "not even close" will be a popular judgement 

I shall definitely upgrade my nDAC to NDS and I do expect it will show some strength comparing to my KDS/1 but I don't expect it will "walk" it over tbh. Both developments are on the same technology level... If NDS will "boom" on my shelf -- I shall report gladly. Promise.

I actually enjoy nDAC/555PS today the same much as KDS -- especially on high quality masters.

TBH the cables/amps/speakers and speaker location and room treatment have much more MASSIVE impact on the sonic signature than source selection...

Both Naim and Linn open a gate into a hi-res domain which is a new era in consumer digital audio and possibly takes to (or excels?) the vinyl. In my experience the difference between KDS and nDAC gets lower when getting into a hi-res and both move towards smooth vinyl-type presentation. The overall impression is that both companies are moving in the same direction. I think Linn will keep staying on the more relaxed side and Naim will keep staying on the more energetic side as these sonic characters have already divided audiophiles into two (irreconcilable) camps and no one wants to lose the long-established flock. 

I guess in the further years the streamer choice will mostly melt down to the price, box size/count, software support and features (who is not impressed with Songcast?), post-purchase support (who is not impressed with Naim servicing), forum/magazine rave and local availability for pre-purchase showroom/home audition.

And color selection 

The count down begins..........

This is a fantastic forum and equally a fantastic thread. I'll be very interested to read peoples thoughts after having see/heard the NDS today.

In Naim I trust

2 hours and counting down ...

Best wishes,

Peter

Looks like I've started ripping all my CDs to a NAS drive just in time!

The NDS will slot in just where the CDS3 head unit sits today and even allows me to lower the tower of Babel hi-fi stack a bit (the TT sits above the CDS3).

Very pleased that Naim are launching a streamer that will outgun a mac mini + ndac/555PS.

I can also keep the 52 + phono stage as well for the Roksan

Good move

Trust in your ears ... then everything else will fall into place.

Phil

The NDS is intended to sit at the top end of the "Classic" series range - so the NDX and NDS are analogous to the CDX and CDS.

Cheers

Phil 

Just saw it so THANKS for the update & solid info Phil.

Good posting AMA. 

I do think that both Naim and Linn have retained a drive for excellence in music replay. I also agree the differences in presentation seem at their most narrow in the hi SQ streamers. This maybe the isolation of the DAC process from the whole CD reading process and the move much more to IC solutions for processing and filtering.

Following that theme is the premise that both solutions discussed here are likely to be reference standards for quite a while yet at their price point, especially as HiRes music files become more prevalent where DAC's can really shine.

As an FYI Linn Music has apparently talked both Decca Classics and Deutsche Grammophon into allowing hires remastering of famous performances in their classic music catalogues. The first titles have just surfaced at 192 & 96 and having downloaded and listened to some of these I reckon they sound fantastic.

Digital music is the future it can't be escaped  

Geoff

Launch of a new product is always a big day!

As I said my last post in reply to Allen B - for myself I'm probably going to try to get an NDS and 555PS as I simply can't afford a pair of 555PSs ... I haven't tried the XPS / XP5XS + 555PS combination so any comments that I make would be speculation on my part.

Best idea is to try it and see but I *SUSPECT* (and the guys here tell me this too) that the improvement in isolation between the two supplies is audible.

The thing is, is it worthwhile for you or could you usefully use the XP5XS to offset some of the purchase cost ?

Phil

Thanks for your thoughts. Some serious listening on the cards then!

What burndys will be supplied and/or needed ? 

On the assumption that you have a set of 555 burndys then you should have everything that you need....

Phil

No - the 555PS can either power *BOTH* the digital and analogue sections *OR* the analogue section with the digital section being fed from either an XP5XS / XPS / 555PS.

The analogue section cannot be directly powered by a second XP5XS / XPS.

Cheers

Phil

They're the CD555 burndys...

Phil

None ...

... and both ...

... there will be two SKUs, one with and one without 555PS burndys if I understand correctly.

Phil

Glad to be wrong then.

So there might be a ND555 in a not too distant future. Let the speculation begin ! Allen ?

Do we have any idea on cost?

Of what?

Phil