NDX + DAC + XPS2

2

I agree: 2

Hi pz -

You have multiple options, so have some fun and try them out!

I don't disagree with Guy or Thiem, as I currently use NDX->DAC/555PS.  But your ears may tell you something different, so it is definitely worth trying both configs (and some do prefer the PS on the NDX, even though it is only being used a digital transport).

It is also worth trying the NDX/XPS2 as a two box solution.  If that does the trick for you, then selling the DAC should be pretty easy to do!

Good luck, and let us know what you choose.

Hook

Hi, 2) gives the best option with my ears and system

Just remember to turn off unsued inputs and analogue output on the NDX if you are using the NDX SPDIF output.

Simon

Indeed, I sold my nDAC and party on with "just" NDX/XPS2.

I think NDX's energizing voicing gets snuffed out by nDAC.

Maybe 555ps would tip the scales, but with my music collection and current setup, I just don't see what's the big deal with nDAC.

Mario, Murkku, in my expierience, the Ndac on its own is great. Depending on your system it's extra resolution and analogue accuracy over NDX might be missed. the NDX is very good, and improves further by disabling it'sinternal PS. However ndac and NDX with or with out PS  are hifi to my ears. Ie you notice thier signature on the sound, albeit a musical one., but on a revealing system it irritates - it gets in the way.....

IME it's not until you get to the ndac/555PS with a quality digi source like NDX or HDX that thet transformation happens. Then the source seems to disappear and you are presented with a superb analogue type sound that is three dimensional, powerful yet detailed in natural way. You can listen for hours and be captivated. True, your system, room and speakers needs to be able to communicate this to you and issues here can trip up the expierience. But get it right and you will want to cling on to your ndac/555ps for a long time.... It's that good and musically satisfying.

Simon

FWIW, I have recently switched my 555PS from nDac to NDX... and I strangely prefer it.

Detail is always there but there's a more organic and rich sound; I guess it is as others say a more "analogue" presentsation.

When I first got the NDX I tried it but prefered it on the nDac; I guess the difference was that NDX was still to run in whilst nDac and PS were already there.

Clearly in favour of option 2....would love to replace the XPS by the 555PS though.....

Finding it hard to believe myself (see my above post), this morning I switched back to NDX --> nDac + 555PS to make sure that I was not kidding myself.

As soon as I switched on... the sound did not impress me; nice but less involving and rich. Of course I gave it a few hours to account for the switching off and on and then after lunch I re-switched back to NDX + 555PS --> nDac.

Richness and atmosphere back.

what about NDX+555PS and no nDAC? worth to try, you might like it and free some cash.

ciao

Hi Matpip,

well... just tried it and for this option (NDX + 555PS) what I recall since I first tried it when the NDX arrived some 9 months ago has remained the same. The sound is slightly warm and laid back. Nice but not my cup of tea.

When I put it back to NDX + 555PS --> nDac, the rich crispness and atmosphere was back: love it

However, I will be selling both NDX and nDac soon as I have already opted for a NDS...

Ciao

Stefano

The built in Dac in the NDS will be in a quite different league than the NDac, hence the NDS/PS will be on a different level musicaly speaking than the NDX/NDac/XPS

Regards,

Edouard

Endouard, we might see the DAC and DSP  in the NDS closer to the nDAC than you might think, ie far close than the NDX.

If the NDS supports twin powersupplies like the NDAC, we might the see the NDS / 555PS pretty close to the performance to the NDX -> ndac/555PS but in only a two box system, plus I suspect a colour display like the HDX.

Simon

Hi Simon,

We can only guess...

but I'm convinced that the Dac in the NDS will be a very high end one, and nothing close to the NDac...

I could of course be wrong, time will tell

Regards,

Edouard

FWIW, the word that I got from local Naim retail is that the dac in the NDS will be (understandably) better than the current nDac.

However it is without doubt that its sonic signature will be superior to the NDX system.

Hi Edouard, we can only guess as you say, but I would be surprised if the NDS does not  close to the NDAC, which is Naim's reference DAC design and in the right conditions I have yet to hear bettered, it would be great if the NDS can match or even get close to the NDAC's phenomenal  performance with dual powersupplies, ,fingers crossed :-) and might even extend the envelope slightly with additional suspension, if it makes a difference. We know Naim will only do that if it definitely improves things rather than for the sake  of it... And it might be there was no difference hence why it wasn't in the NDAC as is. Perhaps the NDS will get closer to the NDAC without the seperate power supplies, which of course is the current weakness with the ndac, it's really is quite average  unless additional PS is provided. We will just have to wait.  Oh yes I still hoping for configurable filters, but I am not holding breath....

Simon

I think Allen's post is more like it. The NDAC is incredible with the 555PS, and I have yet to hear it bettered even in a BBC recording studio. However, it does need the 555PS to sound best of breed with good isolation and RF filter loaded interconnects. With a NDX, you need paraphernalia with RF chokes etc to get it sounding it's best. I would expect the NDS to do this out of the box, or perhaps with two boxes, rather than three and tweaking as with the NDX and ndac/555PS, plus of course colour display :-)

Of course at this level the subjectivity of the transform function becomes significant. There is no such thing as a perfect DAC. Therefore changing this function now might win a few and alienate others. Therefore switchable filters seems sensible, but that is probably quite involved from an engineering implementation point of view, because the transform is done in analogue as well as digital domain.

Simon

Dear all,

just reading this thread...

I am considering to add the nDAC (a used one from 2010) between my ND5XS and 282. Not only in the signal path, also physically. What I don't like about this is that one transformer would sit very close to the other (sorry, I would have to fit the nDAC right in the middle between ND5XS and 282, without gaps), and that the DAC transformer cannot be disabled (unlike the ND5XS transformer). I have one external PSU (now supplying the ND5XS), but most likely this would then be connected to the nDAC. Or should I leave my system just as it is now?  (ND5XS-282-200)

Many thanks,

Stefan

Stefan, not quite sure what you mean about 'no gaps' .. If spaced appropriately say using the spacing of a small Fraim level, I can't see a particular issue. (albeit for top performance I have my 202 and NDAC on top of their respective isolation racks).  The challenge will be more about cable dressing and keeping noisy SPDIF leads away from signal leads.. 

Yes you are right about DAC PSU, but the internal PSU always plays a critical function, irrespective of what external PSU is added for the analogue circuits. The DAC approach is to seperate where you can the digital and analogue PSUs completely which I am sure is behind its incredible performance.

I do believe the DAC is relatively benign from an RFI point of view and your ND5XS will be noisier even if it's just from the Ethernet port.