New Naim NDX

I have a question... What does the 555ps do in the context of the full blown 4 box NDX/555ps > NDAC/555ps?

With the HDX/DAC, you dont use a PSU on the HDX.

What is the difference with the NDX setup?

Thanks,
Patrick

It's a boost to Naim's I&E and a real talking point for parties... So you've spent £18k on getting the music off your computer... Why can't you just plug it into your amplifier.... And what exactly does each box do? Etc.

Nigel

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
It's a boost to Naim's I&E and a real talking point for parties... So you've spent £18k on getting the music off your computer... Why can't you just plug it into your amplifier.... And what exactly does each box do? Etc.

Nigel

Yes the number of possible boxes between computer and amp seems to be getting a bit out of hand. Me, I have zero boxes in between, just a $50? toslink fibre. Nice control system via iPad/iPod touch or remote desktop/VNC on my laptop. Happy as a clam.

I have a headache..........


If I buy a Uniqute will it be a good streamer..... will the ndac then improve it?

I need to lie down it has been a long day

Sorry

quote:

Me, I have zero boxes in between, just a $50? toslink fibre

Exactly....

One can get the Naim DAC and go straight from a computer.

Or one can rid themself of the computer altogether and go full blown HDX>NDX>DAC.

And just about everything in between is possible.

The real question is how the HDX>NDX>DAC with Uniqutes in other rooms of the house will cannibalize potential Naimnet sales.

I like that every new product brings new meaning, clarity and purpose to the other existing products.

Well done Naim.

It is also nice (for me) to see they cannot or have not attempted to improve on the Naim DAC yet. Maybe it is as good as they can do for now.

-Patrick

quote:

If I buy a Uniqute will it be a good streamer..... will the ndac then improve it?

Yes and Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
Phil,

In your above example, what is the reason for the HDX? Is it in a different room? Or is it for the storage and ripping?

If you didnt have the HDX already, would it be suitable to substitute a Uniserve for the HDX in your example above and not lose functionality?

Thanks!
Patrick

I have an HDX here which I love and have been using as a source component since it was a prototype - it's been "upgraded" many times to latest spec and is currently an HDX SSD. It originally had an XPS on it and then when I bought myself an nDAC the HDX was run through that and the XPS used on the nDAC.

I have a touchscreen connected to the HDX which displays the TV GUI and is *REALLY* nice to use - friends find it really easy to browse for whatever they want and because it's a touchscreen they can use it without me really having to explain how it works ... basically it's a big ol' pub jukebox in that respect. Pretty foolproof.

Now, maybe you could say I'm looking at this differently to other people given that I work at Naim but I work there because I love this stuff! I tend to look at kit as what it gives me in functionality rather than what does it have that I've already paid for, otherwise I'd never have bought a bluray or DVD player as they have audio outputs in the back (don't need that - my AV2 does digital to analogue conversion!) or I'd never have bought myself a 252 (why do I need a 252? - the AV2 has analogue inputs and a volume control) or I'd never have bought myself an nDAC because the AV2 has a DAC built in ...

... in fact I'd probably never have bought the AV2 as my old AV amp had all that stuff built in too. (Getting my drift?)

Every bit of kit I've bought has brought something new to the party - for me the NDX would give me Internet Radio as well as DAB and FM and some other functionality that hasn't been mentioned so far in this discussion but that I can't mention myself because I'm under non-disclosure til the embargo is lifted.

(Maybe this is a good time to point out that I don't have a SWMBO to justify purchases to, I don't have kids to pay for and I own a TVR so I have a healthy disregard for *EVER* saving any money...)

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:
my question was to phil about *his system* which has an HDX and an ndac. I was trying to work out what the value proposition was for NDX *in that system*...

Hopefully covered in my other reply?

Phil

quote:

I don't have a SWMBO to justify purchases to, I don't have kids to pay for

Liberating isn't it.... I do love kids. Other people's.

quote:

Originally posted by Phil Harris:

quote:

Originally posted by ghook2020:Phil confirmed a couple of pages ago that if you already owned a DAC, then the value prop of NDX versus Qute is largely cosmetic:

"...Well, if you wanted something small that would go nicely in a study / kitchen or bedroom then the UnitiQute is a great single box solution.

If you wanted something to go into an existing HiFi stack to give you UPnP playback, Internet Radio, DAB/FM etc. then the NDX is a suitable source component...."

Actually no I didn't - what I said was if you need a one-box solution for a study / kitchen or bedroom then the UnitiQute is your answer (everything including preamp and power amps in one box) whereas if what you are wanting is a source component for an existing hifi then the NDX is your man. I didn't make any comments about any other possible functionality differences...

Phil

Hi Phil -

Sorry if I misinterpreted!

I read your statement as a marketing message about why Naim created these two products (kitchen vs. hi-fi rack, etc.).

And clearly they are well differentiated for those who do not own the Naim DAC (or another high-end DAC).

What I obviously still do not understand is, as a DAC/XPS2 owner, what benefit I would derive from choosing to place an NDX versus the Qute into my hi-fi rack (beyond the casework). Does the NDX provide some function that the Qute does not? When connected to the Naim DAC, does the NDX's S/PDIF output sound better than the Qute's S/PDIF output?

Thanks.

Hook

quote:

for me the NDX would give me Internet Radio as well as DAB and FM and some other functionality that hasn't been mentioned so far in this discussion

Intriguing.... I wonder what that could be?? Maybe this feature will be the answer to those wondering "why NDX rather than Qute or Serve?"

Very exciting....

Thanks Phil!

-patrick

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
The real question is how the HDX>NDX>DAC with Uniqutes in other rooms of the house will cannabalize potential Naimnet sales.

Very different systems so the two shouldn't affect each other...

NaimNet synchronises between rooms to a couple of milliseconds and can integrate in with video distribution, heating, lighting, security, climate control, door control etc. and be the backbone for an entire high end distributed audio system.

Uniti / UnitiQute and NDX are a very different product...

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by ghook2020:

quote:

Originally posted by Phil Harris:

quote:

Originally posted by ghook2020:Phil confirmed a couple of pages ago that if you already owned a DAC, then the value prop of NDX versus Qute is largely cosmetic:

"...Well, if you wanted something small that would go nicely in a study / kitchen or bedroom then the UnitiQute is a great single box solution.

If you wanted something to go into an existing HiFi stack to give you UPnP playback, Internet Radio, DAB/FM etc. then the NDX is a suitable source component...."

Actually no I didn't - what I said was if you need a one-box solution for a study / kitchen or bedroom then the UnitiQute is your answer (everything including preamp and power amps in one box) whereas if what you are wanting is a source component for an existing hifi then the NDX is your man. I didn't make any comments about any other possible functionality differences...

Phil

Hi Phil -

Sorry if I misinterpreted!

I read your statement as a marketing message about why Naim created these two products (kitchen vs. hi-fi rack, etc.).

And clearly they are well differentiated for those who do not own the Naim DAC (or another high-end DAC).

What I obviously still do not understand is, as a DAC/XPS2 owner, what benefit I would derive from choosing to place an NDX versus the Qute into my hi-fi rack (beyond the casework). Does the NDX provide some function that the Qute does not? When connected to the Naim DAC, does the NDX's S/PDIF output sound better than the Qute's S/PDIF output?

Thanks.

Hook

Oops, did just notice that you cannot discuss this other functionality until release.

Will suspend judgment until then!

Hook

quote:

what benefit I would derive from choosing to place an NDX versus the Qute

It makes me wonder why the Qute is so inexpensive given its capabilities. I would expect the Qute to be a little more expensive. I sure wish the Qute was around when I decided to take the plunge.

I think the "other functionality" Phil mentiond might explain a lot.

-Patrick

From Phil's response it is clear that the ndx must have additional functionality that is yet to be revealed. If you have an hdx and a dac, what is the point of adding the ndx? It cannot be worth £3k for Internet radio. Maybe it washes clothes with laser beams? Books restaurants? Turns a sandwich into a banquet?

Nigel

quote:

Very different systems so the two shouldn't affect each other...

Well, some people entertaining a Naimnet install might find that a Uniqutes around the house serving up music from a central HDX might fit the bill.

Either way, I totally get your point.

This just brings options to the table for sending music around to multiple rooms. Perhaps in a context where a Naimnet install might be overkill.

Thanks again for your thoughts and explanations.

-Patrick

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
The method Naim is offering gives so many possible options I cant see anything wrong with it. There is something for everyone, and every existing system.

-Patrick

Exactly. However, they need some better marketing materials to explain it all to the avg Joe.

quote:

avg Joe

I hate that guy. Naim owes him nothing.

The problem with letting snippets of information out on the forums is going to be well illustrated here - I can't officially say anything but there are a couple of *LITTLE* (and I do mean little) bits of functionality that haven't been mentioned here but for me would be worthwhile ... still being developed and I only found out about them recently but could mean that for me the HDX ends up becoming a ripping engine and UPnP serverwith the NDX becoming the main player.

Just don't expect an earth shattering revelation on this one - the big points of the NDX are already known on here.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
Maybe it washes clothes with laser beams? Books restaurants? Turns a sandwich into a banquet?

Dream on. How about this, to go with today's release of iTunes 10?

Denon, Marantz and B&W are among the first companies to partner with Apple for its AirPlay system, which enables iTunes devices to stream music over a home network to compatible devices.

AirPlay, announced at yesterday's huge music-related Apple product launch, will enable iTunes 10 users to stream music to remote speakers and systems using the company's AirPort Express bass station, and will also work with a range of forthcoming products from a number of audio companies for whole-house music streaming.

Along with Denon, Marantz and B&W, other featured partners include iHome and JBL.

quote:

Originally posted by Chief Chirpa:
Dream on. How about this, to go with today's release of Tunes 10?

Denon, Marantz and B&W are among the first companies to partner with Apple for its AirPlay system, which enables iTunes devices to stream music over a home network to compatible devices.

AirPlay, announced at yesterday's huge music-related Apple product launch, will enable iTunes 10 users to stream music to remote speakers and systems using the company's AirPort Express bass station, and will also work with a range of forthcoming products from a number of audio companies for whole-house music streaming.

Along with Denon, Marantz and B&W, other featured partners include iHome and JBL.

I think I'm safe enough to say ...

...no!

Phil

Phil

My comment about Naim needing a comms strategy was deadly serious. It was the same with the speakers - the S600 is out there but by the time the other four are released either everyone will be bored with them or all the forests will be gone. It is the same with the computer stuff. The whole approach is incoherent and Naim should be ashamed. The products may be great but the marketing is crap. And it makes your job harder.

There are so many what ifs. If you have an hdx which works happily now, and can be improved sonically with the dac, what could an ndx possibly add? No need to answer; it is just a pertinent example of the sort of question that should be anticipated and dealt with in effective comms before it is asked.

Nigel

Hi Nigel,

I understand your point. But Naim is on a product expansion path - putting it at the forefront of new product technologies - and it remains a relatively small company, with limited resources.

I think Naim is doing a mighty job. Give it a bit more time to complete it's new product line-up and I think you'll be happy.

Of course we'd all like new product info in advance, but that's not the way that companies operate. It's a big secret until it's released - always!

Engelbert

I think Phil's gone home...
So, what do we really think

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
I think Phil's gone home...
So, what do we really think

I'm still here ...

:P

Phil