NDS Vs Klimax DS/1

Posted by: gtiboy on 19 January 2013

Does anyone have any experience testing these two streamers against each other?

Does the NDS beat the Klimax DS/1 for sheer detail, clarity and musicality? Can't help but think reading into various forums/reviews that Linn still has the edge.

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by Jasonf

Chaps, this is a relief. Can we finally lay this slogan to rest now as we have clearly established that all our systems, "just work". So this slogan is now so universal in its meaning that it can't be attributed to just one persons, or one system set up.

Jason.

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by glevethan

Originally Posted by Jasonf:

So this slogan is now so universal in its meaning that it can't be attributed to just one persons, or one system set up.

Jason.

That is why it is called UPnP - "Universal" plug n play

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by Jasonf

Originally Posted by glevethan:

Originally Posted by Jasonf:

So this slogan is now so universal in its meaning that it can't be attributed to just one persons, or one system set up.

Jason.

That is why it is called UPnP - "Universal" plug n play

I was referring to the slogan, "it just works", which has been overused recently....in many threads
In relation to how one system works over another, not uPnP.

Jason.

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by glevethan

I know - just a bit of humor to lighten up the proceedings

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by Jasonf

Originally Posted by glevethan:

I know - just a bit of humor to lighten up the proceedings

Oh, I see!

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by ken c

i didnt compare NDS with KDS when i bought my NDS.The installation was a breeze even for someone like me who is not that network savvy. I use UnitiServe/SSD as server. music stored on NetGear ReadyNAS.

i had some problems with iPad losing wireless connection to the NDS, but these problems more or less disappeared when i installed a new router so that the virgin superhub can be modem only. since then it has continued to work flawlessly (touch wood!!).

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by Richard Lord

Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

I still haven't been able to update my UQ so i wouldn't consider the NDS in its current form ... However, no such problems as I understand with Linn and no Windows embedded anywhere ... I have not taken the Linn option further though because I wait in expectation of the Naim Reference DAC ... fully confident that when fed from a Mac it'll just work (I wonder if Naim will consider enabling it to work with native DSD as well as PCM). I think Naim has enough streaming boxes for all those that want them and so it can now concentrate on making a great DAC

Richard .. the current Naim DAC requires no form of UPnP to work splendidly. You just use a high quality optical cable like the Supernova 6 from your Mac.

Hi Guido. I had so many problems in the early days of buying my Qute, that it has left a sour taste in my mouth so far as networking is concerned. Possibly newer versions or perhaps even mine if it were updated might well be satisfactory. Irrespective, I will never again bother with streaming.

Like you, Guido, I am using the optical out of my MB Pro. It works. I nearly said those dreaded words: "it just works". However, I am mindful of people's blood pressure, so I won't mention them. At this point I wanted to add a smiley. Sadly for some reason I hit a bug every time I attempt to add one. Hopefully, the humour will still filter through.

I am very much looking forward to hearing the V1 at Bristol. I will be there all day Friday. Exciting times.

Richard

Posted on: 08 February 2013 by Felix H

Hmmm...wasn't it already in the last Bristol show when they introduced a new, better DAC? They called it NDS because it had an advanced streamer included. But other than that it was basically an improved NDAC with a much better enclosure, suspension, and now able to use both burndies out of a 555PS! Less S/PDIF inputs and quite pricey though (no smileys here).

Posted on: 09 February 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Fedor, the NDS's DAC is based on the NDAC as you say with a different form of microphony suspension, but the key difference that i have seen is the off boarding of all the PSU:;;and the careful shielding and decoupling of the streamer components that would otherwise pollute the DAC.and which may still to to some extent, the extent we may see with future firmware upgrades.

Upto 1x555PS the NDAC and NDS are arguably equal with differences very much in their presentation, but as you might know for me it was a no brainier with the NDAC/555PS sounding significantly more musical, but other have preferred the NDS/555PS. Horses for courses.

I hope Naim"s next flagship NDAC will combine the best of NDAC and NDS into one whilst removing the weaknesses/limitations of both.

Simon

Posted on: 09 February 2013 by Felix H

Simon, did you try NDS also as a pure DAC, i.e. disabling UPnP and wireless from the menus, possibly using NDX as the transport?

Posted on: 10 February 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Fedor, no I didn't though an interesting test. At the time I was offered the NDS, the NDX and NDAC were going to be part exchanged and my driver for the NDS was to renduce box count with no audio compromise.. so I guess it wasn't a potential config for me.

I guess the NDS sonic character would have still been prominent, and it is that that just didn't have enough musicality for me by comparison.. But clearly this is subjective.

Simon

Posted on: 10 February 2013 by AMA

Originally Posted by james n:

Cue AMA ...

James, I still did not manage NDS audition.

We don't have a unit on display in Dubai.

Now I'm in Edinburgh on a short tour -- but I'm afraid this is closer to Linn again

Seriously, I'm curious if Hi-Fi Corner Edinburgh has NDS o display.

I'm going to check this out tomorrow.

Anyway I do plan a Naim factory tour in April and this may be the first chance for me to audition the full NDS set (with two 555PS perhaps).

In fact, the only question I'm going to ask Naim is when do they plan to launch ND555