My Demo on Friday with ND5XS, NDX, NDAC, XPS, Sonos

Posted by: Flojoe on 08 April 2012

I am currently playing my CD;s from my DVD5 into 82/hicap/250.2/Spendor S6e. I am now looking to improve my system and make everything more accessable and integrated. Last Friday I arranged a demo at my local dealer to listen to the ND5XS, NDX, NDAC, XPS & Sonos using newer versions of my amplification 282 & HiCap2. My dealer does not sale Spendor so we were using a standmount speaker by Neat. Music ranged from Pink Floyd to Eva Cassidy.

First up was the NDX. This had a wonderfull open spacious sound with a wide soundstage filling the room.

Next was the ND5XS. I personally prefered the sound over the NDX. It had more rythm and the base bounced along. However the soundstage was much narrower, more in the box. At this point I would have bought the ND5XS. For a complete contrast I also asked to listen to NDAC using Sonos. Wow !!!!!!!! this was marvolous. The sound quality was so much better then either the NDX or ND5XS. It had wonderfull rythm, was dynamic and had a huge sounstage, well out of the box. Next up was to add the XPS. I did not go back to the NDX because NDX + XPS was out of my price range, so on it went with the ND5XS. What a dissapointment. The music now seemed muddled, too much base for my ears, it was like thick curtains had been pulled over the speakers. Now we added the XPS to the NDAC/Sonos. Well this did it for me, FANTASTIC. This was the best sound I have ever heared, really suited my tastes. Open, Rythmic. Annie Lennox voice was so clear. No broken edges on the higher notes. Dave Gilmores guitar screemed out, just brilliant.

So where to go now ?

So many options now I have managed to confuse myself. DVD5/NDAC/XPS ? Sonos/NDAC/XPS ?

Use same money to buy fantastic s/hd CD player, CDS3 maybe. My brains hurting !!!

This journey will continue a little longer. I am worried about the integration of NAS, Streamer, all the software needed for ripping, streaming, control etc. Put CD in drawer and press play seems very simple. I guess it all worked in the shop, so why not in my home.

So finally and to re-confirm, NDAC/XPS, bloody marvolous.

Posted on: 02 May 2012 by James L

Hi Chris

I eventually put that down to the DAC being more refined vs the bare CD5XS as being slightly uncooth!

Hands down, the CD5XS is best with the DAC attached...and no loss of boogie factor.

BTW, I still prefer this combo to the nDAC/Mac/Fidelia/Halide Bridge streaming rig.

Posted on: 02 May 2012 by King Size

Originally Posted by James L:

Hi Chris

I eventually put that down to the DAC being more refined vs the bare CD5XS as being slightly uncooth!

Hands down, the CD5XS is best with the DAC attached...and no loss of boogie factor.

BTW, I still prefer this combo to the nDAC/Mac/Fidelia/Halide Bridge streaming rig.

Yup, I agree that it is down to the DAC being more refined and the CD5XS being a bit more 'youthful' and 'vigourous'

Posted on: 25 February 2014 by pradeshta

Originally Posted by MusicLover:

Originally Posted by Flojoe:

Zinger

We did try XPS with ND5XS. This was a dissapointment. Sounder very muddled like a viel had been pulled across the speakers.

This is almost not possible...

Maybe the speakers couldn´t handle the combo...

I just did a demo of the ND5 XS both with and without an XPS. I found the XPS to be a major improvement. Really great. The other pieces involved were a recapped Nait 2 and my old Rega ELA Mk1s. Sweet stuff.