New Naim NDX
Posted by: Nigel 66 on 02 September 2010
A new high end streamer is launched.
Have tried to add a link but if it doesn't work (which it probably won't given my IT skills !)it's in the News section on the What Hi Fi website.
http://www.whathifi.com/News/N...NDX-due-in-November/
Have tried to add a link but if it doesn't work (which it probably won't given my IT skills !)it's in the News section on the What Hi Fi website.
http://www.whathifi.com/News/N...NDX-due-in-November/
Posted on: 03 September 2010 by Klout10
quote:Originally posted by Geoff P:quote:Sooo..does that mean 24/192 HiRes downloaded FLAC files on the network will NOT play on the NDX?
Well since nobody has commented from Naim I assume this is correct
regards
Geoff
From the Naim NDX brochure: "Hi-Res UPnP™ playback up to 24bit/96kHz
(WAV and FLAC)"
Regards,
Michel
Posted on: 03 September 2010 by JonR
quote:Originally posted by Klout10:quote:Originally posted by Geoff P:quote:Sooo..does that mean 24/192 HiRes downloaded FLAC files on the network will NOT play on the NDX?
Well since nobody has commented from Naim I assume this is correct
regards
Geoff
From the Naim NDX brochure: "Hi-Res UPnP™ playback up to 24bit/96kHz
(WAV and FLAC)"
That is in line with what I was told at the Studio AV event too.
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Signals UK
I was at Salisbury Towers yesterday and managed to have a quick listen to a slightly pre-production NDX. It really was remarkable.
We went from playing the same track on the CD555 and it took a moment for the penny to drop that the NDX was running without the aid of the 555PS and DAC that were adjacent to it on the rack. I think that was my Jaw-toward-floor moment.
Bare and unsupported, it was genuinely stunning. Finding out what it sounds like connected to the DAC and aided by upgraded PSU (there are options galore) is for future experiments. But we simply had to order one to find out!
Looking inside an opened example in the R&D dept revealed that it is a surprisingly packed box with a nice chunky transformer and certainly not any kind of stripped back Uniti.
As for the HiDef comments, I have been known to be wrong on such matters, but my grasp of this is that the 192 files are played but only at 92 khz. Certainly, some 16/192 files here on our network are rendered perfectly happily on the HDX-SSD.
Alastair
We went from playing the same track on the CD555 and it took a moment for the penny to drop that the NDX was running without the aid of the 555PS and DAC that were adjacent to it on the rack. I think that was my Jaw-toward-floor moment.
Bare and unsupported, it was genuinely stunning. Finding out what it sounds like connected to the DAC and aided by upgraded PSU (there are options galore) is for future experiments. But we simply had to order one to find out!
Looking inside an opened example in the R&D dept revealed that it is a surprisingly packed box with a nice chunky transformer and certainly not any kind of stripped back Uniti.
As for the HiDef comments, I have been known to be wrong on such matters, but my grasp of this is that the 192 files are played but only at 92 khz. Certainly, some 16/192 files here on our network are rendered perfectly happily on the HDX-SSD.
Alastair
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Harry
This has been asked but (unless I’ve missed it) not answered. NDX/nDAC/555PS – OK. I get that. Been there with CD players and the HDX. These upgrades are worthwhile but not essential in the first instance. Been there, done that, no issues. However, what benefit does putting an external power supply onto the NDX confer in addition? Is this a misunderstanding or are we really looking at a four box solution for absolute performance. With over seven grand’s worth of boxes taking care of NDX signal output, what can adding a PS to the NDX do to improve the signal stream being fed to the DAC?
Or am I being thick?
Or am I being thick?
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by oscarskeeper
Hi Alistair of Signals...
Would you mind commenting on how the NDX compares to various HDX options - ie HDX/XPS, HDX/DAC etc?
many thanks
Would you mind commenting on how the NDX compares to various HDX options - ie HDX/XPS, HDX/DAC etc?
many thanks
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Klout10
quote:Originally posted by oscarskeeper:
Hi Alistair of Signals...
Would you mind commenting on how the NDX compares to various HDX options - ie HDX/XPS, HDX/DAC etc?
many thanks
Second here! Very interesting!
regards,
Michel
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Fozz
Must admit at present the concept of the ndx as a replacement for a cd5x and running bare sounds quite appealing. Would have been stunning if they had managed a shoebox case for me as I love that Naim style. However being able to stream and have direct digital in for spotify from the pc sounds like a good idea. Saves on the ogg-mp3 conversion. Unless I have misunderstood something in this vast area.
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by bigsplice
Hi All
Like many im still trying to get grips with the new technology surrounding streaming/HDD players etc etc. Secondly, im also tryig to understand Naims new products (ie NDX/Uniti range)
I made the decision several months ago to move from CD playback to HDD. I sold my CDX2 and purchased Network HDD/Sonos/Naim DAC/XPS/HILINE fed into my existing 282/150x/Credo's.
The Sonos is a great piece of kit but has its limitations (16 bit)which i was aware of when bought but saw it as a reasonably priced intro to this new exiting technology and viewed it as a stop gap till naim released an equivilant product.
Im looking to continue to buy music on CD, Rip, Store and play into existing kit. The NDX seems great but looking at the new product releases it seems that the unitiserve would be the one to go for??.
Regards
Paul
Like many im still trying to get grips with the new technology surrounding streaming/HDD players etc etc. Secondly, im also tryig to understand Naims new products (ie NDX/Uniti range)
I made the decision several months ago to move from CD playback to HDD. I sold my CDX2 and purchased Network HDD/Sonos/Naim DAC/XPS/HILINE fed into my existing 282/150x/Credo's.
The Sonos is a great piece of kit but has its limitations (16 bit)which i was aware of when bought but saw it as a reasonably priced intro to this new exiting technology and viewed it as a stop gap till naim released an equivilant product.
Im looking to continue to buy music on CD, Rip, Store and play into existing kit. The NDX seems great but looking at the new product releases it seems that the unitiserve would be the one to go for??.
Regards
Paul
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Signals UK
Hi Klout10 and oscarskeeper.
It was a quick play. There was no opportunity to swap over to HDX in any state of 'tune'. My gut feeling is that it is in a wholly different league though. I am familiar with HDX-SSD/DAC/XPS or 555PS in a similar system here and this struck me as being 'up there' with no external support at all.
Actually it was better than that. It seemed even purer, more open, more colourful with an even lighter touch than I'm used to, although perhaps a little lighter and less 'driven' in the bass (not necessarily a bad thing). Adding PSU to the DAC with our set-up brings much improved bass extension, control and resolution, amongst other things, so pretty sure the NDX has massive potential.Of course they might have just spiked the coffee . .
Really hard to say any more than that. You just need to hear it when it starts shipping!
Alastair
It was a quick play. There was no opportunity to swap over to HDX in any state of 'tune'. My gut feeling is that it is in a wholly different league though. I am familiar with HDX-SSD/DAC/XPS or 555PS in a similar system here and this struck me as being 'up there' with no external support at all.
Actually it was better than that. It seemed even purer, more open, more colourful with an even lighter touch than I'm used to, although perhaps a little lighter and less 'driven' in the bass (not necessarily a bad thing). Adding PSU to the DAC with our set-up brings much improved bass extension, control and resolution, amongst other things, so pretty sure the NDX has massive potential.Of course they might have just spiked the coffee . .
Really hard to say any more than that. You just need to hear it when it starts shipping!
Alastair
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by oscarskeeper
Alistair, thanks, that's very helpful.
Anyone else heard this beast yet????
Anyone else heard this beast yet????
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Klout10
Hi Alistair,
Thank you for your quick reply. However, already owning an HDX, I don't get the point of the NDX ...
Regards,
Michel
Thank you for your quick reply. However, already owning an HDX, I don't get the point of the NDX ...
Regards,
Michel
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by oscarskeeper
By the sound of it, the point is that its better!
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Signals UK
quote:By the sound of it, the point is that its better!
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Jack
Paul....yes the UnitiServe will give you the CD, Rip, Store and play into existing kit that you mentioned.
The NDX will give you play only, you still need something to serve the music
The NDX will give you play only, you still need something to serve the music
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Edot
I'd be a lot more excited about the NDX and likely buy one IF I didn't have a lot of Apple Lossless files. Shame...
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by js
UnitiSERVEquote:Originally posted by Jack:
Paul....yes the UnitiServe will give you the CD, Rip, Store and play into existing kit that you mentioned.
The NDX will give you play only, you still need something to serve the music
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by likesmusic
quote:Originally posted by Harry K:
However, what benefit does putting an external power supply onto the NDX confer in addition? Is this a misunderstanding or are we really looking at a four box solution for absolute performance. With over seven grand’s worth of boxes taking care of NDX signal output, what can adding a PS to the NDX do to improve the signal stream being fed to the DAC?
Or am I being thick?
At least four very good questions.
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Lefty
Well done Naim. Really can't wait to hear this.
Naim NDX vs Linn Akurate DS
Place your bets!
Lefty
Naim NDX vs Linn Akurate DS
Place your bets!
Lefty
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by glevethan
quote:Originally posted by Signals UK:
Hi Klout10 and oscarskeeper.
It was a quick play. There was no opportunity to swap over to HDX in any state of 'tune'. My gut feeling is that it is in a wholly different league though. I am familiar with HDX-SSD/DAC/XPS or 555PS in a similar system here and this struck me as being 'up there' with no external support at all.
Actually it was better than that. It seemed even purer, more open, more colourful with an even lighter touch than I'm used to, although perhaps a little lighter and less 'driven' in the bass (not necessarily a bad thing). Adding PSU to the DAC with our set-up brings much improved bass extension, control an
Alastair
So it sounds like those who purchased HDX's are seeing their more expensive units already usurped within a year(playback speaking). Not too comforting.
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by jlarsson
Probably.
Will be interesting to hear what kind of diff there is with both playing through DAC + PSU. But I am not interested in the NDX unless there is a huge diff in SQ. The automatic ripping and metainfo handling in the HDX is such a time saver and more than make up for any small SQ diff. I still prefer to buy on CD as it gives me automatic backup (just save the CD somewhere after ripping), lossless data and discovery of lots of wonderful stuff from the golden age on cheap second-hand CD:s.
And, above all, I dont have to mess with UPnP.
Will be interesting to hear what kind of diff there is with both playing through DAC + PSU. But I am not interested in the NDX unless there is a huge diff in SQ. The automatic ripping and metainfo handling in the HDX is such a time saver and more than make up for any small SQ diff. I still prefer to buy on CD as it gives me automatic backup (just save the CD somewhere after ripping), lossless data and discovery of lots of wonderful stuff from the golden age on cheap second-hand CD:s.
And, above all, I dont have to mess with UPnP.
quote:Originally posted by glevethan:quote:Originally posted by Signals UK:
Hi Klout10 and oscarskeeper.
It was a quick play. There was no opportunity to swap over to HDX in any state of 'tune'. My gut feeling is that it is in a wholly different league though. I am familiar with HDX-SSD/DAC/XPS or 555PS in a similar system here and this struck me as being 'up there' with no external support at all.
Actually it was better than that. It seemed even purer, more open, more colourful with an even lighter touch than I'm used to, although perhaps a little lighter and less 'driven' in the bass (not necessarily a bad thing). Adding PSU to the DAC with our set-up brings much improved bass extension, control an
Alastair
So it sounds like those who purchased HDX's are seeing their more expensive units already usurped within a year(playback speaking). Not too comforting.
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by PureHifi
quote:Originally posted by Edot:
I'd be a lot more excited about the NDX and likely buy one IF I didn't have a lot of Apple Lossless files. Shame...
DBpowerAmp will batch convert those to flac with ease....
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by gone
quote:Originally posted by glevethan:
So it sounds like those who purchased HDX's are seeing their more expensive units already usurped within a year(playback speaking). Not too comforting.
I disagree. If anything, the HDX looks even more attractive now, especially in its SSD incarnation. As an all in one, it's a cracker.
And you'd be disappointed if Naim didn't push the curve from time to time
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by Harry
Agreed. I would (/stress) consider (\stress) the addition of NDX (resources permitting) IF playback sounded better that what the HDX serves up. And the HDX would stay for ripping, storage and distribution. But I ask again – is the perception correct that in addition to moving the nDAC + 555PS to the NDX, an additional PS can also be added to squeeze the NDX SQ still further? You can add a PS to an HDX but this becomes irrelevant when you box off the internal DAC and just take the bitstream output. Is the NDX different in this respect or are we getting out upgrade paths crossed? Can anyone else (likesmusic's post duly noted) see where I'm coming from?
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by JonR
Harry, to be perfectly honest I think this whole business about adding box upgrades of one sort or another is bollocks and you're not doing yourself any favours by stressing about it. Instead I'd suggest you give the NDX a listen and consider it on its own merits - power supplies can wait another day. Besides which, my understanding of upgrades in respect of the DAC was that you add a PSU to the DAC only and not the unit (be it a CDX2, 5XS, HDX or whatever) that it is connected to. Is this idea now out of date or does it simply not apply to the NDX?
Posted on: 04 September 2010 by David Dever
Though I've heard that it is theoretically possible to use two 555PS units (one on NDX source, one on DAC), I was impressed enough with the standalone prototype I heard (with PCM1791A DAC) that I suspect most will probably start with this while they optimize their music library.