Just added a XP5XS to my ND5XS

Posted by: Thorsten_L on 27 December 2012

Oh my God.

Full nirvana.
Posted on: 30 December 2012 by totemphile

Hi Thorsten, the way I look at it this is a site about Naim and Naim gear, where a lot of people come to to seek advice on whatever product they are interested in. With that in mind I added my view on the XP5XS. No more, no less. The more balanced the views are here on this site, the better for everyone. If everyone would only clap everyone else on the back to congratulate them on their new purchase, this place wouldn't be much use to anyone other than those who love to be congratulated for their new toys. Quite frankly that's not why I come here, it's different views I am interested in. That said I don't quite understand why my comments would upset you. As you've said you made your choice according to what's important to you and are happy with the XP5XS. That's all that counts. My comments shouldn't change any of that. Anyways, I am sure the XP5 is a wonderful PS, in a lovely case matching that of the ND5. All good. 

 

Cheers

tp

Posted on: 30 December 2012 by Thorsten_L
Originally Posted by totemphile:

Hi Thorsten, the way I look at it this is a site about Naim and Naim gear, where a lot of people come to to seek advice on whatever product they are interested in. With that in mind I added my view on the XP5XS. No more, no less. The more balanced the views are here on this site, the better for everyone. If everyone would only clap everyone else on the back to congratulate them on their new purchase, this place wouldn't be much use to anyone other than those who love to be congratulated for their new toys. Quite frankly that's not why I come here, it's different views I am interested in. That said I don't quite understand why my comments would upset you. As you've said you made your choice according to what's important to you and are happy with the XP5XS. That's all that counts. My comments shouldn't change any of that. Anyways, I am sure the XP5 is a wonderful PS, in a lovely case matching that of the ND5. All good. 

 

Cheers

tp

Hmmm...I accept your view, but I don´t agree.

Your post was not balanced and certainly not really "true".

 

It was just your opinion that older PSUs may sound better than newer ones which are of "inferior" quality. 

Someone else posted the opposite...so...duh.

 

And quiet honestly, I didn´t seek your "advice" within this thread.

 

 If everyone would only clap everyone else on the back to congratulate them on their new purchase, this place wouldn't be much use to anyone other than those who love to be congratulated for their new toys.

What this has to do with anything??? What a strange, negative perspective...sorry.

 

I don´t want to be "congratulated" on my new toy. I just wanted to share my experience.

That is IMHO something VERY different. 

 

This thread was not about "Are there better options for me?".

Then your speculative advice may have been cool.

 

But why would anyone? Second hand XPS2 prices have fallen considerably and are now costing quite a bit less than a new XP5XS. Makes no sense. Sorry. Unless size is important to you of course...

 

The first sentence...why not?

 

"Makes no sense"...absolute statement? Nope, your humble opinion. The overall "tone" is not very nice...why so tacky??? 

 

Anyway, let´s agree to disagree. 

 

 

Posted on: 30 December 2012 by Thorsten_L
Originally Posted by totemphile:

My comments shouldn't change any of that. 

They certainly don´t.

Posted on: 30 December 2012 by totemphile

Good!

Posted on: 30 December 2012 by totemphile
Originally Posted by MusicLover:
 

Hmmm...I accept your view, but I don´t agree.

Your post was not balanced and certainly not really "true".

 

There is no true, just preferences (IMHO of course)

 

It was just your opinion that older PSUs may sound better than newer ones which are of "inferior" quality. 

 

I thought that was clear. Pretty much everything people post is in their humble opinion, I'm no different...

 

Someone else posted the opposite...so...duh.

 

So? Doesn't mean anything. The next person might. At the end of the day only thing that counts is our ears. Hence, everyone needs to listen for him-/herself - as always.

 

And quiet honestly, I didn´t seek your "advice" within this thread.

 

It's a public forum, so by definition threads are for everyone. My post wasn't meant to be advice for you, just another point of view for those contemplating buying an XP5XS and who might come across your thread, now or in future.   

 

 If everyone would only clap everyone else on the back to congratulate them on their new purchase, this place wouldn't be much use to anyone other than those who love to be congratulated for their new toys.

What this has to do with anything??? What a strange, negative perspective...sorry. 

 

Nothing negative about this view at all (IMHO). I'd say it's rather logical... 

 

I don´t want to be "congratulated" on my new toy. I just wanted to share my experience.

That is IMHO something VERY different. 

 

Fine, makes no difference though, it's still a thread about an XP5XS for an ND5. I just added my two pence, no more, no less...

 

 

This thread was not about "Are there better options for me?".

Then your speculative advice may have been cool.

 

As said above, no advice intended, only food for thought for anyone looking to add to their ND5 and just MHO - of course....

 

But why would anyone? Second hand XPS2 prices have fallen considerably and are now costing quite a bit less than a new XP5XS. Makes no sense. Sorry. Unless size is important to you of course...

 

The first sentence...why not?

 

Sure, why not.

 

"Makes no sense"...absolute statement? Nope, your humble opinion.

 

Of course.

 

 

The overall "tone" is not very nice...why so tacky??? 

 

Not sure tacky is the right word here but I take your point, no offense intended.

 

 

Anyway, let´s agree to disagree. 

 

 

Glad we clarified that. I'm certainly not interested in an extended argument back and forth about such a minor thing.


At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that you enjoy your XP5XS. So enjoy!


Best

tp


Posted on: 01 January 2013 by Plant Pot

Hi Thorsten,

Nothing to do with the original post but I just wondered where you got your 24/96 copy of Counting Crows - August and Everything After from? One of my faves too - and probably the reason why I got into this expensive (but hugely enjoyable and rewarding), hobby in the first place..

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted on: 01 January 2013 by Thorsten_L

Hi Matthew,

 

a good friend of mine ripped this LP to 24/96...

 

Moderated Post:  I have edited this post.  Please note that the sharing of copyrighted material is not allowed.

Posted on: 01 January 2013 by Cbr600

Careful boys, don't want any illegal actions on the thread  !

Posted on: 01 January 2013 by Thorsten_L

Nothing illegal. He ripped HIS LP and gave it me...

 

Posted on: 01 January 2013 by Plant Pot

Talk about being back in school 

 

I certainly wasn't planning anything illegal - I'm not even sure what illegalities are possible on a Forum but there we are.

 

I just wondered if the album was available as a Hi Res download. I already have the LP and CD and would like to try out a Hi Res version if it was from a legitimate source. I'm struggling to find any Hi Res stuff that I actually want to listen to....

 

Cheers,

Matthew

Posted on: 08 January 2013 by Thorsten_L

Added a MINT pre-loved HiLine from Cymbiosis...wow...another dimension opened up.

 

Posted on: 08 January 2013 by IanG
Hi ML, Can you give me more details as to what your HiLine has brought. I asked the question on another post a couple of days ago. I'm thinking of adding one between my ND5XS and NAC152XS. Just out of interest, the other thing I was thinking of was a Powerline on the XP5. Have you tried that ?
Posted on: 08 January 2013 by totemphile

Hi Ian,

 

The HiLine is definitely a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you can find one second hand. Adding a HiLine is a bit like going from plain cd replay to 24/96, it adds substantial clarity and resolution/refinement to your musical replay. Does it make the presentation more musical? Well, to be fair there are some here who prefer Naim's standard grey interconnect. Personally, I prefer the HiLine and would not go back to the standard IC. PLs are a bit more complicated, I found. Many here love what they do but I have found them to add too much weight in some cases and have hence refrained from using them. I use just one PL to connect my Furutech TP60 power block to the mains, from there it's standard Naim power cords. As with everything, whether you like PLs or not ultimately comes down to personal preferences. If you wanted to go down that road, you could always get one second hand and sell it on if you don't like it. If it's a question of one vs. the other, I'd go for the HiLine first. 

 

Good luck

tp

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by Thorsten_L

The Hiline I always refer to as the icing of the cake.

 

The music now IS in the room. EVERYTHING is more "defined"...name all the friggin clichees...it really is that fantastic.

 

It opens up the music...yep, like totemphile told...like 16/44.1 to 24/96 or 24/192...

 

Hmmm....I honestly doubt the "motives" behind statements like "I prefer the lavender cable over the Hiline."

 

I had it on my CD5XS and it blew away the lavender into total uselessness. 

Then I switched to vinyl, but I knew that digital replay NEEDS a Hiline. At least in my humble ears.

 

I needed 10 seconds to realize the huge difference it made on my ND5XS/XP5XS...incredible upgrade.

For an awesome price...

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by Thorsten_L

Powerlines on the right "boxes" are fabulous too...I have one on my Supernait.

 

Had it on my HiCap2 also, but totally preferred it on the SN.

 

IMHO a nice upgrade, but not as awesome as a Hiline.

 

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by Mort2k
Originally Posted by MusicLover:

Hi Matthew,

 

a good friend of mine ripped this LP to 24/96...

 

Moderated Post:  I have edited this post.  Please note that the sharing of copyrighted material is not allowed.

Now I am so jealous. That album is just pure class. Would be amazing in 24/96 !!

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by MangoMonkey

 

With the XS series amplification in mind:

 

Has anyone compared the XPS-DR with the XPS5XS on a ND5XS?

 

Could the XP5XS be better? Better synergy and all that?

 

What about if we wanted to go do a nDac in the middle and tack on a PSU (XP5XS or XPS-2DR)?

 

Could the cheapest option: ND5XS/XP5XS be better than all the other stuff due to synergy?

 

I sort of believe more in Synergy than source first: I have preferred the NDX over the ND5XS into XS amplification, for example...

Posted on: 09 January 2013 by rich46

naim designed the xp5xs for the likes of the nds 5. use it and save your money

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Gavin B

Mango Monkey - isn't your last sentence a contradiction?  Surely, if synergy was more important than source first, you'd have preferred the ND5XS over the NDX?

Posted on: 10 January 2013 by Jonas Olofsson
Originally Posted by MangoMonkey:

       

I sort of believe more in Synergy than source first: I have preferred the NDX over the ND5XS into XS amplification, for example...




       


That is source first. Source (better streamer) beats less source+ps.

//Jonas
Posted on: 10 January 2013 by MangoMonkey

That was a typo. I do like the nd5xs better than the ndx into a bare nait xs.  Didn't do the comparison on a capped xs... 

Posted on: 13 January 2013 by Thorsten_L
A very easy thing I noticed:

The dynamics of the music during very low volume is absolutely stunning.

Even at the lowest possible the music has clarity, depth and sheer power.
Posted on: 14 January 2013 by rich46

tried ndx and nd 5 digital output into ndac  NO difference

Posted on: 21 January 2013 by Stefan Vogt

Hello MusicLover,

before you opted for the XP5XS, did you consider the nDAC as an alternative upgrade, by any chance, please? Consensus seems to be that improvements are less clearcut than those obtained via the XP5XS addition to the ND5XS, so most likely you went for the more dramatic upgrade (if so, I'd find this slightly surprising given the clear differences in the output stages of DAC and ND5XS).

Cheers,

Stefan