quick HDX question

quote:

Originally posted by oscarskeeper:
Has anyone tried HDX/DAC/XPS2 as opposed to CDS3/XPS2? Interested in peoples comments...

I run an HDX / DAC / XPS-2 myself but my comments wouldn't be regarded as valid as I guess I'd be classed as biased.

Phil

quote:

my comments wouldn't be regarded as valid as I guess I'd be classed as biased.

Possibly - but everyones opinion (whether biased or not) is worth hearing. Come on Phil...

James

PS - what are the improvements on the new card compared to old ?

Agreed, James!

Regards,
Michel

quote:

Originally posted by dave marshall:
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.

Good for you Dave. Glad things worked out. Can I ask what support you were using with your CDS3 ? I found that it is very sensitive to positioning, and on a rack with other boxes (even a decent rack) it is stodgy, slow and lifeless just as you report.

I no longer have the Dac but I have been listening to a rega ISIS though which was DEEPLY impressive and highly musical (as in genuinely up there with a decent turntable).

Until I hear the Klimax DS properly (already discounted the Akurate) I'm afraid that Streamer based sources aren't there yet for me and have a way to go before they reach the pleasure that a good CDP can provide.

I am ALWAYS open to being coverted though adn welcome all challengers. I hope to hear the new Weiss at some point.

Hi Rich2513,

The CDS3 was on a top shelf on a stack of Fraim, where I was very happy with the sound.

It's only really since the demo of the HDX / DAC that I've felt it suffers by comparison.

Mind you, things have taken a twist yesterday, since a visit from SWMBO, who maintains that the CDS3 sounds much more natural than the new combo, which to her (very finely tuned ears, it must be said), sounds "mechanical" in it's presentation.

I'm guessing the DAC will need a fair period of running in, so we'll have to see in a couple of weeks whether she's right. The CDS3 will be staying for the time being, I guess.

The fun never ends

Dave.

quote:

Originally posted by dave marshall:
the CDS3 sounds much more natural than the new combo, which to her (very finely tuned ears, it must be said), sounds "mechanical" in it's presentation.

I am sure it will get better when run in and perhaps lose some of its harshness. It still is more of a forceful aggressive sound though compared to something like the CDS3. Even people who give it glowing praise (e.g. malcolm steward) acknowledge that it has that sort of character.

I do agree with your missus though that the CDS3 plays tunes better even though it will lose out on ultimate detail and impressive soundstaging and analytical articulation. The CDS3 sounds almost recessive, muddy and squashed together in comparison but for me it was the source that created the emotion and made me put more CD's on.

Keep us posted.

quote:

I'm guessing the DAC will need a fair period of running in, so we'll have to see in a couple of weeks whether she's right.

Dave.

Hi Dave,

Any updates to your journey ?

Hi Allen,

I'm also very interested in a comparison regarding the new soundcard and larger memory of the newer HDX models. Maybe worth starting a separate topic...

Regards,
Michel

quote:

Originally posted by AllenB:
Yes, come on Phil, it's all Naim equipment so any bias is irrelevant, unless you mean your bias towards distributed audio?

OK - now what you have to remember here is that I make no claims to being an audiophile ... I know what I like and what I don't but I'm a techie so I find it very difficult to wax lyrical. I'm someone that listens to people prattling on about wines and tasting x, y and z and when I get a glass of it it all tastes sour to me and gives me terrible indigestion later when I'm in bed.

I also don't "do" CD players - I find them a pain to use, I've been using ripped audio for years and I've obviously had a "server" of some kind since we first started developing them - I had (and still do have) an NS02 and HDX which have been through various stages of upgrade over the intervening time.

The NS0x has quite a simple audio stage in comparison to the HDX - soundwise it reminds me of my early Mission Cyrus kit is that to me it sounds light and airy but maybe a bit too light when used in a typical Naim system (however that's not what the audio stages in the NS0x were designed to be used for - they were intended to be used in existing analogue matrix switched multiroom systems rather than as a main HiFi source within a Naim hifi) - in a system which has a warm bias then the NS0x sounds extremely good. A friend of mine has KEF 203 References (IIRC) and the NS01 suited his listening more than the HDX so that's what he bought!

Myself, I find the NS0x a bit lightweight in either of my systems (be assured that I do have to buy my own kit - I don't get it for free!) and so when the HDX started floating around here it fitted in much better with what I "needed" and so has become a permanent fixture there. The HDX is the only bit of my kit that I haven't yet bought but only because it's a development mule that gets used and abused for testing new codebases etc. on. In my opinion compared to the NS0x the HDX has a rounder and warmer sound that suits a Naim setup much better than the NS0x - I did drop an XPS onto it (couldn't afford a 555PS) and found that it gave a hell of a lot more solidity to the bottom end to go with the warmth that the HDX initially brought to the party.

I added a DAC to that later - moved the XPS straight over to it as it seemed the sensible thing to do - and found it an interesting change in that it seems to me to be much more up front and detailed in its presentation and made the HDX seem veiled in comparison. What I did find was that some of the CDs I have I didn't like through the DAC ... maybe the "warts and all" presentation was showing a few too many warts on some of the discs but by God the "good stuff" was stunningly good - a quick blat through a few favourite tracks ended up being an afternoon and an evening ... a brief listen to "Comfortably numb" and "One of my tunes" ended up as being a listen to both discs in their entirity ... I remember sitting there - eyes closed - when "Goodbye blue sky" started and feeling goosebumps (still do get that even now).

I do still keep an analogue connection between the HDX and my 252 for the times when I'm listening to stuff that I don't think sounds so good laid out quite so naked but what I find interesting is I can be sat at night on the PC doing stuff (MSNing friends or even looking up here for example) with the hifi on very low in the background when sometimes I'll think "that doesn't sound right" and invariably it's because I haven't popped it back over to the DAC as the source ... it's wierd but the difference is very noticeable even at low levels and on non-critical listening!

Does that help? (Probably just confuses things even more!)

Phil

Cheers Allen ...

...I do this stuff because I love it and just make the bills fit round it!

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by rich2513:

quote:

I'm guessing the DAC will need a fair period of running in, so we'll have to see in a couple of weeks whether she's right.

Hi Dave,
Any updates to your journey ?

Dave.

Hi again rich2513,

I've been away on business for six weeks or so, and upon getting back, I had the soundcard and Ram upgrade done to the HDX.

Bearing in mind the system was powered down whilst I was away, and that I was taking the upgrade largely on trust, then, once things warmed up again, the music simply has me grinning from ear to ear.

I guess, from what I'm reading elsewhere, that the DAC will take some time to fully come on song, but it's all good right now.

Haven't sold the CDS3 yet though..............just in case!


The fun never ends.

Dave.