NDX vs HDX

Posted by: stfr on 16 December 2010

Interested to know if oneway have had the chance to compare this units?

The NDX with 555PS i said to be fantastic, the 555 will power the entire NDX?

Some old forum members like to harass new members forum posts, sorry if im not the GOD of Naim

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Rosewind

stfr

I don't think very many people have had a listen to the NDX yet.

As for harrassment of new members, I would hardly call you a new member. So don't be so worried.

And if someone immortal gives you "the rough end of a pineapple" (an expression learned from a Judge Dread rendition of "J'Taime" ...), then rise to the occasion!

Best wishes,
Peter

PS. I sure would like to hear the result of a HDX / NDX / N-Dac head-to-head.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by js

I haven't listened to a NDX but I suspect it's better as a stand alone or with supply due to it's DAC. I prefer the way the HDX handles files to UPNP but UPNP is the way of the world and works great when done correctly. The HDX with nDAC should be at least as good as the NDX with nDAC.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Darke Bear

The NDX sounded very good when I heard it. It had a 'seamless' and very 'open' quality to it that I really liked - and that was 'naked' without external PS.
I think I greatly preferred the sound balence of the NDX to that of the n-DAC, but need a longer audition to confirm properly.

The NDX also allows a total disable of the on-board PSU when you use the external XPS or 555PS options, unlike the n-DAC; which should make it 'quieter' when used on the 'brain' stack of a two-stack Fraim.

I'm seriously considering it.

DB.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by J.N.

Me too Gary. I've heard a UnitiQute sounding superb in a friend's system. If the NDX is a 'Qute on steroids' then a 555 comparison will be fascinating.

As a 'track hopper' the ease of accessibility is particularly appealing to me - particularly as I already have the world's biggest compatible remote control for an NDX from Mr Jobs' Fruit Shop.

Interesting times.

John.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by jon_jh

quote:
Originally posted by Darke Bear:

I'm seriously considering it.

DB.

Is this in the context of your 555 system? If so, this is a great endorsement for the capibilities of the NDX.

Just out of interest, how was music streamed to the NDX when you heard it?

Since I do not own a Naim source yet, I will be very interested to hear the NDX when the time comes!

Jonathan

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Harry

quote:
Originally posted by jon_jh:

Is this in the context of your 555 system? If so, this is a great endorsement for the capibilities of the NDX.

Jonathan

It kind of is and kind of ism't because if the NDX does it's job superbly (which is for want of a better analogy a latter day cartridge, or maybe just the stylus) then it will proudly grace a system of any cost. And of course, it can be turned into an £8.5k two box component, which is very expensive for a stylus. I'm going to stick a loan NDX into my existing system when it is possible to get one. If it sounds better (or different in a nicer way) through the nDAC to the HDX, it will replace the HDX for streaming. Could be an irrelevance for some of us, could be a bit of a bargain. As seems to be becoming my catch phrase - it's nice to have the choice.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by BobF

quote:
Originally posted by Darke Bear:
The NDX sounded very good when I heard it. It had a 'seamless' and very 'open' quality to it that I really liked - and that was 'naked' without external PS.
I think I greatly preferred the sound balence of the NDX to that of the n-DAC, but need a longer audition to confirm properly.

DB

going for 4 555ps?

Bob
The NDX also allows a total disable of the on-board PSU when you use the external XPS or 555PS options, unlike the n-DAC; which should make it 'quieter' when used on the 'brain' stack of a two-stack Fraim.

I'm seriously considering it.

DB.

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Hook

quote:
Originally posted by Rosewind:
...
As for harrassment of new members...
if someone immortal gives you "the rough end of a pineapple" (an expression learned from a Judge Dread rendition of "J'Taime" ...), then rise to the occasion!
...

Great advice Peter!

The other thing a new member can do is simply ignore all schoolyard bullies. If you don't respond, they get bored and go away (as do their posts...apparently

).

Hook

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Mark J

NDX.....HDX....

Can I just ask one question?

What the hell is the difference between them?

I mean what do they actually 'do'??

Ta in ignorance

MJ

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by Mark J

You Sir are a Gobshite!

What a Git response to a simple question.

Sheeesh..

Posted on: 16 December 2010 by AMA

quote:
Originally posted by Mark J:
NDX.....HDX....

Can I just ask one question?

What the hell is the difference between them?

I mean what do they actually 'do'??

MJ

Mark, they both play music.

I hope I was more helpful then Allen

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by Darke Bear

quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
Me too Gary. I've heard a UnitiQute sounding superb in a friend's system. If the NDX is a 'Qute on steroids' then a 555 comparison will be fascinating.

I have yet to hear it in my own system, but I did like what I heard. I'm not suggesting that the n-DAC was worse, as I have yet to compare them, but that I like the way the music was effortlessly presented from the NDX.

I played with the music selection via an iPad app, which was better than my previous experiences with streaming selector menues.

I don't think it is a 555 beater, but it may go in the direction I'm looking for.
I want something that will render a wider range of source material than my 555 to augment that source - and eventually replace it.
It needs to sound 'right' (to me) for what I'm looking for.

DB.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by Darke Bear

quote:
Originally posted by jon_jh:
quote:
Originally posted by Darke Bear:
I'm seriously considering it.
DB.

Is this in the context of your 555 system? If so, this is a great endorsement for the capibilities of the NDX.
Just out of interest, how was music streamed to the NDX when you heard it?
Since I do not own a Naim source yet, I will be very interested to hear the NDX when the time comes!

Jonathan

Not yet heard within the context of my system - but I'm sure it will happen sooner or later

The demo actually used a HDX as the source to the NDX. I was told the HDX gave the best performance as a feed for the NDX by someone who has had a chance to try multiple sources.

So we still have the quality of the digital input stream impacting the end-result of the final DtoA rendering unfortunately

But given that - then one must audition and purchase as a system - including the source feeding the NDX.

DB.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by glevethan

quote:
Originally posted by Darke Bear:
The demo actually used a HDX as the source to the NDX. I was told the HDX gave the best performance as a feed for the NDX by someone who has had a chance to try multiple sources.

So we still have the quality of the digital input stream impacting the end-result of the final DtoA rendering unfortunately
But given that - then one must audition and purchase as a system - including the source feeding the NDX.

DB.

I too still have a problem with the quality of the source feeding all of Naim's digital solutions affecting/contributing to the quality of playback.

Many other digital solutions (Linn etc.) use UpNP (and other) in which case the method of file delivery (ethernet in many cases) does not affect playback quality.

Gregg

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by Mike Smiff

quote:
Originally posted by Mark J:
NDX.....HDX....

Can I just ask one question?

What the hell is the difference between them?

I mean what do they actually 'do'??

Ta in ignorance

MJ

NDX is a client, HDX is a server.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by pcstockton

quote:
Many other digital solutions (Linn etc.) use UpNP (and other) in which case the method of file delivery (ethernet in many cases) does not affect playback quality.

Both the HDX and NDX essentially include everything the Linn units do.

They can both play from a NAS and have local analog output.

The Serve would do the same thing but requires an external DAC.

Unfortunately for Linn, the Naim boxes can offer more function and a plethora of upgrade options, eg, ripping, tagging, storing, serving, dig in, dig out, psu upgrade path, DAC upgrades etc....

-Patrick

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by Phil Harris

quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
They can both play from a NAS and have local analog output.

Actually no - the NDX plays from a UPnP server and has no ripping or network browsing / scanning capability of its own, the HDX *IS* a UPnP server that will go out and find music on shares / stores on your network as well as rip discs.

Both however have music coming out of the back of them so in that way are similar in the same way that a CD player and a tuner are similar...

Cheers

Phil

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by AMA

quote:
Unfortunately for Linn, the Naim boxes can offer more function and a plethora of upgrade options, eg, ripping, tagging, storing, serving, dig in, dig out, psu upgrade path, DAC upgrades etc....

-Patrick

Which are mostly redundant for hi-quality music replay. Fortunately for Linn.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by glevethan

quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
quote:
Many other digital solutions (Linn etc.) use UpNP (and other) in which case the method of file delivery (ethernet in many cases) does not affect playback quality.

Both the HDX and NDX essentially include everything the Linn units do.

They can both play from a NAS and have local analog output.

The Serve would do the same thing but requires an external DAC.

Unfortunately for Linn, the Naim boxes can offer more function and a plethora of upgrade options, eg, ripping, tagging, storing, serving, dig in, dig out, psu upgrade path, DAC upgrades etc....

-Patrick

Patrick

Me thinks that instead of frequently commenting on what the Linn solutions can and cannot do, and how they sound compared to Naim solutions, you need to actually LISTEN to them first. That is the only way one can comment and make comparisons. Too easy to speak without ever having demoed them

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by pcstockton

Glevethan,

You said: "Many other digital solutions (Linn etc.) use UpNP (and other) in which case the method of file delivery (ethernet in many cases) does not affect playback quality."

So does Naim. That's all i was saying.

To address your other complaint, I would love to hear a Linn unit. If you can arrange a home demo for me, I am all ears.

My local Linn dealer only stocks the Sneaky and Majik DS. I asked how one could hear a ADS or KDS and he said the only way would be to buy one..... and they dont do home demos.

To walk into a store and listen to a Majik through other kit than mine isn't going to teach me much.

I will do my best to refrain from commenting on your posts in the future.

-p

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by pcstockton

quote:
Actually no - the NDX plays from a UPnP server and has no ripping or network browsing / scanning capability of its own, the HDX *IS* a UPnP server that will go out and find music on shares / stores on your network as well as rip discs.

Yes I realize all of that. I was making the assumption that the NAS has an onboard UPNP server. I guess I am made a huge assumption that this is prevalent these days.

If I had any the Qute, UNiti or NDX, I am guessing I would buy/create a NAS with a UPNP server so I could eliminate the PC from the direct chain.

The remainder of the comments were aimed at the entire Naim "DA" range, not any box individually.

My unwanted point was that the Naim options offer far more flexibility IN ADDITION to being UPNP Servers and Renderers.. Thats all.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by pcstockton

quote:
Which are mostly redundant for hi-quality music replay.

Really????

The last time I checked the XPS/555ps was an integral (though not necessary) part of bringing the "hi-quality music replay" to the Naim DAC, and HDX. Some even think a second one does the same for the vaunted 555 CDP.

I fail to see how PSU and DAC upgrades are "redundant" especially now the Linn fits their DS players with digital outputs, and jammed a non optional PSU upgrade into them.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by David Dever

quote:
especially now the Linn fits their DS players with digital outputs, and jammed a non optional PSU upgrade into them.

In all fairness, the Dynamik PSUs are an "update", rather than an "upgrade", an option for which is provided by Naim via the Burndy socket–or, generally, a SPDIF digital output.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by David Dever

quote:
Many other digital solutions (Linn etc.) use UpNP (and other) in which case the method of file delivery (ethernet in many cases) does not affect playback quality.

Not so, according to other fora–all factors must be considered, including mains, network switch, even firmware version.

Strange world we live in.

Posted on: 17 December 2010 by pcstockton

quote:
In all fairness, the Dynamik PSUs are an "update"

Right on, i hear you.... but not so for those that bought one pre-Dynamic, as it isnt free.

I am not trying to start anything.... I simply wanted those not in-the-know to be aware of what I perceive to be a very flexible and initially affordable path that Naim offers.

If I went the Linn route i would buy a Majik. Then have to sell it and buy an ADS to upgrade.

With the Naim route I can buy the DAC for similar outlay. Then upgrade with sources and PSUs without worrying about losing dollars selling obsolete/redundant boxes.

To each their own of course...... and of course as Glevethan hints on above, it all comes down to SQ. My points are only to help those on the fence.