quick HDX question

Hi Rich2513,

As a recent HDX owner, I'm still getting to grips with it, but the simple answer to your question is no, you don't need a network connection to rip a CD, though you will need one for the HDX to download the album info, including the artwork.

When you put a CD in, it ought to begin the ripping process, which you can follow by entering the "rip" menu, via the home screen. Without the network connection, the album will appear as "unknown", rather than as part of an alphabetical list.

Not sure why it should be telling you that there is no CD present.

As far as networking is concerned, see the other thread "HDX wireless fix" with my comment today, to easily attain a connection.

Hope this is of some help.

Regards,

Dave.

ok thanks

had to reboot it

it wasn't seeing any cd's for some reason

weird !


Is the HDX wireless because I don't have it connected to any router but its finding the albums and track names of the CD's that I put in and rip

Does it maybe have a local internal text file of popular albums which it can refer to when offline ?

Hi again Rich2513,

Now that is seriously scary.............unless I've missed something in the manual!

My understanding is that there is no wireless capability..........makes me feel quite envious after my troubles getting connected...Doh!

Regards,

Dave.

Hi yet again,

I read elsewhere that you were setting the HDX up against a CDS3.

That's exactly what I'm doing at the mo'.

I'm borrowing a Naim DAC next week to do a fair comparison, and will try my existing 555PS on the DAC then.

Like yourself, I'm keen for this to work, but I have some doubts already that the combo will outshine the CDS3.

The fun never ends really,

Aw ra best,

Dave.

The HDX has a database of album details which is not comprehensive, so yes for common stuff it should find it OK.

Best thing though it to feed it with an ethernet cable.

quote:

Originally posted by dave marshall:
Hi yet again,

I read elsewhere that you were setting the HDX up against a CDS3.

That's exactly what I'm doing at the mo'.

I'm borrowing a Naim DAC next week to do a fair comparison, and will try my existing 555PS on the DAC then.

Like yourself, I'm keen for this to work, but I have some doubts already that the combo will outshine the CDS3.

The fun never ends really,

Aw ra best,

Dave.

Hiya Dave

Please keep me updated with your findings. It's a very interesting journey.

I have ripped some CD's but we have people over so listening will recommence tomorrow.

My hope is that Naim have engineered the sound of the HDX a little, perhaps slightly similar to the way in which their enclosed CDPS were accomplished solutions with a carefully crafted mix. Maybe they designed DAC and HDX sort of in tandem so there is some sort of synergy between them and the result is something a bit smoother and more musical than a raw USB input.

If this fails, then I know a very kind dealer near to me who will loan me a Klimax DS. I have heard the KDS and was very impressed with its gentle and even tempered manner , its very high detail levels and immaculate timing. It was runinng in a Linn system so very hard for me to evaluate but through a 52 and active SBLS it might just be the perfect partner to spice it up a bit.

Best of luck with your travels.

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
The HDX has a database of album details which is not comprehensive, so yes for common stuff it should find it OK.

Best thing though it to feed it with an ethernet cable.

Thanks. Just as you say, it just struggled with the XX and completely mishit.

Hi rich2513,

When I visited the dealer the other day, for advice on the networking thingy, I also learned that there is available a retrofit improved sound card for the HDX, at a cost of about £300.00.

It's all fun innit?

Regards,

Dave.

The sound card and RAM were uprated recently. For any HDX bought in the last three months or so the upgrade is free.

Anyone comparing should make sure to do an upgrade unit. It is better.

I had the new soundcard installed a couple of weeks ago and was surprised at the level of improvement it makes. Much more detail and more analogue sounding. When I compared the HDX with CDS3 prior to having the new soundcard fitted I found the HDX was more detailed but had a slight "Hi-Fi" edge to the sound compared to the smoother CDS3 which I thought was easier to listen to over extended periods. The new soundcard improves on the detail but also removes the edginess so for me is now preferrable to the CDS3 with the added convenience of music storage and Hi-res playback ability.
Incidentally with Hi-res files there is no contest - HDX/nDAC/555PS is a clear winner.
Jon

Hmmm.

I have to say I hate this sort of thing.

Its a premium item at well over four thousand quid partnered with another 5 thousand pounds worth of boxes. A 10 grand source and I am now told that it needs a further 'upgrade' to make it sound right.

I will demo what I have. If it doesn't cut the mustard then it's going back. I know its the nature of the beast to a certain extent but I really despise this whole concept that one spends all this money then if you don't like the sound you get the following:

1. it isn't run in
2. the burndy is twisted
3. the sound card isn't the latest
4. try re-ripping
5. you need to use 24bit files
6. are you using a £1000 interconnect

etc ...


It's like an eternal get out of jail card.

I expect what I have to give a perfect account of itself and I will compare that with the CDS3 I have here as well. Upon the result I shall vote with my feet.

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:

I am now told that it needs a further 'upgrade' to make it sound right.

It doesn't. It sounds just fine as it is. It may not be everyone's CDS3 beater but in terms of sound for pound it's not compromised. Because it is essentially a PC we are now in an area where components can be relatively easily swapped out so this is an opportunity for end users to benefit more quickly and cost effectively from continuous research and improvement. I don't see a down side, although it's up to each of us where to draw the line. I'm going for sound card (free) RAM (free) and SSD (price TBC). The first two are dealer fit. rather that than PXing the whole unit.

quote:

Originally posted by Harry K:

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:

I am now told that it needs a further 'upgrade' to make it sound right.

It doesn't. It sounds just fine as it is.

Thanks for that. That is good news. Listening will commence.

Harry have you had the new soundcard and RAM fitted yet -it's been available as a dealer fit for a few weeks now? Interested to hear other HDX owners' views. I was surprised at the level of improvement, akin to changing from standard interconnect to Hi-line for me. Agree that HDX in its original spec. sounded fine but as with all Naim equipment sound can be improved (cables, equipment shelves,internal components power supplies etc) just a matter of deciding what's value for money for you.

Jon

I'm still waiting Jonn. The factory is very busy (as we can imagine) and the summer shut down looms. Audience Bath would have done the sound card and RAM but I'm having the HDDs yanked out, so it's a factory return. They have spoken to Shelia and will get me in at the first opportunity. I'm expecting an improvement from the sound card. If I can't hear a difference I won't be too disappointed because the upgrade is complimentary and I do want the HDDs out in any case. I will not be backwards in coming forwards with my impressions - when the work is done.

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:
Listening will commence.

I know what a magical thing the CDS3 is. In a perfect world I would have one on the rack because I love it so much and I think that with no disrespect to the CD555 it is destined to be an all time classic. But CD replay is a dead end for me - although I will still be buying lots of CDs (obviously) and as an alternative the HDX has made a very strong case for itself. I believe that if one chases for that "certain something" that a CDS3 brings the likely result will be that the CDS3 will stay. Why try to reproduce something that already (possibly uniquely) exists? If we leave the CDS3 on it's pedestal and look for credible alternatives to CD replay the HDX IMO is one. But each to our own ears.

It's a nice position to be in isn't it? Should I buy a 550 Sport or an M5? it's a hard life

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:
Hmmm.

I have to say I hate this sort of thing.

Its a premium item at well over four thousand quid partnered with another 5 thousand pounds worth of boxes. A 10 grand source and I am now told that it needs a further 'upgrade' to make it sound right.

I will demo what I have. If it doesn't cut the mustard then it's going back. I know its the nature of the beast to a certain extent but I really despise this whole concept that one spends all this money then if you don't like the sound you get the following:

1. it isn't run in
2. the burndy is twisted
3. the sound card isn't the latest
4. try re-ripping
5. you need to use 24bit files
6. are you using a £1000 interconnect

etc ...


It's like an eternal get out of jail card.

I expect what I have to give a perfect account of itself and I will compare that with the CDS3 I have here as well. Upon the result I shall vote with my feet.

They're allowed to tweek it after a few years. The upgrade is a a single digit fraction of the cost of the unit itself and far less if considered as part of a DAC package.

Can the improved sound card go in an ns01?

yes but I don't know if it's been offered yet. I'm sure it will fit right in.

No plans to offer this in the US market as the UnitiServe probably represents better value for money with 1TB drive. Almost every NS01 in the US has been sold as a streaming server, not used for local playback.

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:

quote:

Originally posted by dave marshall:
Hi yet again,

I read elsewhere that you were setting the HDX up against a CDS3.

That's exactly what I'm doing at the mo'.

I'm borrowing a Naim DAC next week to do a fair comparison, and will try my existing 555PS on the DAC then.

Like yourself, I'm keen for this to work, but I have some doubts already that the combo will outshine the CDS3.

The fun never ends really,

Aw ra best,

Dave.

Hiya Dave

Please keep me updated with your findings. It's a very interesting journey.


Best of luck with your travels.

Hi Rich2513,

Well, that's the DAC set up with the HDX, and running via my existing 555PS...................initial reactions................stunningly good!

Whether it outshines the CDS3 is another story, but I have a the DAC on loan for a few days, so we'll see how it performs when fully warmed up.

The fun never ends,

Dave.

Hi again Rich2513,

Well, that's that then, the demo DAC's gone back to the dealer, and I'll be picking up my shiny new one within the next day or so!

I had my doubts that it would outperform the CDS3, but once fully warmed up, and with my 555PS on the DAC, the HDX really performed...............musicians sounded as if they were playing together as a coherent ensemble, soundstage gained depth, so vocals were "in front" of the band.

I had a mate, (who's a professional musician), over today for a second opinion, just in case I was getting carried away, and he felt that what we were hearing was the most realistic presentation he'd ever heard.

We reinstated the CDS3, which sounded rather lifeless by comparison..........hard to accept, as I've been a huge fan of this CDP for ages.

Anyway, there it is, I'm pleasantly surprised, the CDS3 will be going, and the HDX/DAC/555PS will be staying. I'd be surprised if you don't come to the same conclusions, and feel free to email me, (address in my profile), if you want any fuller info.

Aw ra best,

Dave.

Has anyone tried HDX/DAC/XPS2 as opposed to CDS3/XPS2? Interested in peoples comments...