UQ or ND5 XS into Naim Dac?

Posted by: Somchie on 05 February 2012

So, I am currently using my Oppo BDP-95 as media player by going digital out into my Naim Dac.

 

I have owned a ND5 XS for a couple of months ago and thought it was ok but I wasn't that impressed by it.

 

Today I own a Naim Dac and thinking buying a Naim streamer again. I can buy a second hand UQ for around 1000 GBP a new ND5 XS is more than twice that.

 

Do you think there will be much difference in sound quality between these? (using digital out on the  UQ and ND5 XS into my Naim Dac, in other words I will use both as digital transporters)

Posted on: 05 February 2012 by Hook
Some, but more so in an ultra-revealing system. If you use the search facility, you'll see that quite a few forum members speak well of the ND5 XS->DAC combination, but let me guess...no chance for home demo? Hook
Posted on: 06 February 2012 by aloysiuschan

I would connect the ND5XS to the DAC.

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Edouard

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Richard Lord
Originally Posted by Edouard:

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

 

Interesting.  So how many digital inputs do you have?  Where would you connect them?  Into the Qute or the nDAC?   If into the Qute, what is its function?  If into the nDAC, am I correct in assuming this outputs into a preamp?  

 

Or, are you considering using the nDAC as the front end and outputting the analog into the single analog input of the Qute, which would then become effectively the preamp?

 

This latter option is one I was considering. 

 

If you say it is complicated, I would have to agree. There are many options offered by Naim's product line.

 

 

Richard

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by PinkHamster

If you read the opening post, it is obvious that nDAC will feed another preamp/integrated amp. The Qute is only to be used as a streamer.

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Somchie

I think my Naim system is considered to be a mid-end system :

 

(UQ/ND5 XS) -> nDac -> 282 -> 200

 

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Edouard
Originally Posted by Richard Lord:
Originally Posted by Edouard:

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

 

Interesting.  So how many digital inputs do you have?  Where would you connect them?  Into the Qute or the nDAC?   If into the Qute, what is its function?  If into the nDAC, am I correct in assuming this outputs into a preamp?  

Richard

Richard,

 

I have a Qute as a second system, and I'm enjoying it very much it just as it is.

 

Now, the Qute is a versatil box and several experiences can be made with it, like using it as a source on a big system. You got the option to connect it directly to the pre, or to have the NDac between the Qute and the pre which is of course quite better.

 

You may ask why using a Qute as a source?

- it's the cheapest streamer/i.radio/wifi by quite a margin Naim has

- it could give to someone a taste of streaming audio, till it becomes a second system in a different room in the house and till something more serious replace it on the big system.

- In my case it would be just a try for fun on the big system

 

Regards,

Edouard

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Edouard
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Richard Lord:
Originally Posted by Edouard:

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

 

Interesting.  So how many digital inputs do you have?  Where would you connect them?  Into the Qute or the nDAC?   If into the Qute, what is its function?  If into the nDAC, am I correct in assuming this outputs into a preamp?  

Richard

Richard,

 

I have a Qute as a second system, and I'm enjoying it very much just as it is.

 

Now, the Qute is a versatil box and several experiences can be made with it, like using it as a source on a big system. You got the option to connect it directly to the pre, or to have the NDac between the Qute and the pre which is of course quite better.

 

You may ask why using a Qute as a source?

- it's the cheapest streamer/i.radio/wifi by quite a margin Naim has

- it could give to someone a taste of streaming audio, till it becomes a second system in a different room in the house and till something more serious replace it on the big system.

- In my case it would be just a try for fun on the big system

 

Regards,

Edouard

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Edouard
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Richard Lord:
Originally Posted by Edouard:

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

 

Interesting.  So how many digital inputs do you have?  Where would you connect them?  Into the Qute or the nDAC?   If into the Qute, what is its function?  If into the nDAC, am I correct in assuming this outputs into a preamp?  

Richard

Richard,

 

I have a Qute as a second system, and I'm enjoying it very much just as it is.

 

Now, the Qute is a versatil box and several experiences can be made with it, like using it as a source on a big system. You got the option to connect it directly to the pre, or to have the NDac between the Qute and the pre which is of course quite better on a 282 based system (fortunately the Qute has a digital output)

 

You may ask why using a Qute as a source?

- it's the cheapest streamer/i.radio/wifi by quite a margin Naim has

- it could give to someone a taste of streaming audio, later on the Qute will become a second system in a different room in the house and till something more serious replace it on the big system.

- In my case it would be just a try for fun on the big system

 

Regards,

Edouard

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by Richard Lord
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Edouard:
Originally Posted by Richard Lord:
Originally Posted by Edouard:

The Qute connected to the NDac is supposed to be quite good and to give great results even on a pretty high end system.

 

Interesting.  So how many digital inputs do you have?  Where would you connect them?  Into the Qute or the nDAC?   If into the Qute, what is its function?  If into the nDAC, am I correct in assuming this outputs into a preamp?  

Richard

Richard,

 

I have a Qute as a second system, and I'm enjoying it very much just as it is.

 

Now, the Qute is a versatil box and several experiences can be made with it, like using it as a source on a big system. You got the option to connect it directly to the pre, or to have the NDac between the Qute and the pre which is of course quite better on a 282 based system (fortunately the Qute has a digital output)

 

You may ask why using a Qute as a source?

- it's the cheapest streamer/i.radio/wifi by quite a margin Naim has

- it could give to someone a taste of streaming audio, later on the Qute will become a second system in a different room in the house and till something more serious replace it on the big system.

- In my case it would be just a try for fun on the big system

 

Regards,

Edouard

 

Thank you, Edouard

Posted on: 06 February 2012 by HiFiman

I purchased an ex-demo UQ to feed my nDac a few weeks back sounds awesome., in fact it’s the best digital front end I have owned and I use to own a CDS2.

 

I could easily live with the UQ/nDac and I don’t feel the urge to upgrade, plus as other posters have mentioned you get an FM/DAB tuner built in, bonus.

 

Cheers

Sean