nds vs ndac

Posted by: gio_b on 16 February 2013

Can the nds with 2 555ps  beat the ndac ,with one 555 ps with 16/44,1 materials?

A lot of post but i'm  still in trouble...not able to try...

So ,the ndac is used like a dac ,with a pc ,via usb/spdif convert (art legato).jriver and jplay. dns shoul'd be use the sam way.

Have the 2 devices the same dac chip?

your opinions are welcome

tks giovanni.

Posted on: 21 February 2013 by MangoMonkey
I can almost guarantee it will sound worse. The marginal improvements will be more than overshadowed by setup issues.
Posted on: 21 February 2013 by Guido Fawkes

Should be easy NAS + UnitiServe SSD into NDS with 555PS into NDS with two 555PS ... my thoughts are it will make anything less sound broken. It is the type of system Bruce Wayne would call entry level. Later on the second NDS could feed the Reference DAC

Posted on: 21 February 2013 by Tylercoupe
I just recently switched from ndac/555 to NDS/555DR. My listening yielded an improvement with the latter but both are good I am keeping the HDX, which used to feed the ndac in the network but it will now serve only for ripping and UPnP purposes. I also have 4 Qutes throughout the house which also access the HDX I also just ordered the dCS Vivaldi stack(DAC,Upsampler and clock) which will use the network connection to access the HDX in the main system. NDS will go in study system with the CD555, which is also getting a new 555DR to go with it. Everything should arrive next week. Dealer gave me a reasonable trade on the two old 555PS and the ndac
Posted on: 21 February 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by Tylercoupe:
I just recently switched from ndac/555 to NDS/555DR. My listening yielded an improvement with the latter but both are good I am keeping the HDX, which used to feed the ndac in the network but it will now serve only for ripping and UPnP purposes. I also have 4 Qutes throughout the house which also access the HDX I also just ordered the dCS Vivaldi stack(DAC,Upsampler and clock) which will use the network connection to access the HDX in the main system. NDS will go in study system with the CD555, which is also getting a new 555DR to go with it. Everything should arrive next week. Dealer gave me a reasonable trade on the two old 555PS and the ndac

Tyler at the risk of derailing, could you let me know which speakers you use and which you like with your Qute?  My first Qute is on order

Posted on: 21 February 2013 by Guido Fawkes

Bart 

 

Why not get these speakers on loan Click Here or just tap if you have an iPad

 

if i was in the US then I would look no further, not available over here.

 

They make the best speakers on the planet so these have got to be worth a home trial. 

 

All the best, Guy

Posted on: 21 February 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Bart 

 

Why not get these speakers on loan Click Here or just tap if you have an iPad

 

if i was in the US then I would look no further, not available over here.

 

They make the best speakers on the planet so these have got to be worth a home trial. 

 

All the best, Guy

Great suggestion -- I didn't know they existed.  Doing some reading . . . Magnepan apparently discourages trying to use them as room speakers (as I must) vs. desktops / near-field.  I would need to put them on stands to get them at ear level, and about 8 feet away.  I'll call Magnepan and see what they say.

Posted on: 22 February 2013 by Tylercoupe
Bart In my main system I have Wilson Sasha's which are being replaced by the new Alexia....expect delivery in March and paired with Ref 40/Ref 250s I think your question was more around the Qute...which I have found to be a great product for providing high quality sound, and access to my music library throughout the house. In my case. The Qutes are used as standalone source/amp in various rooms paired with B&W 7.3 or 7.4 in wall speakers. I have found them to be a good match but music for these rooms is about enjoyment...not critical listening which is reserved for the study or main system(I also enjoy critical listening).
Posted on: 22 February 2013 by Bart

Tyler agreed -- my Qute will be more for enjoyment listening (just to actually have music in my loft as an option vs. just the TV).  The 'critical listening' can be done in my living room with my main system.  So I will not get awfully wound up about which small speakers, but will still audition some options. Thanks!

Posted on: 24 February 2013 by Chris Bell

Tylercoup, 

 

I see you are in the Seattle area.  I'd very much like to hear your Wilson speakers.  Contact me via my bio (website).  

Posted on: 27 February 2013 by AMA
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

and I would like to see all the features he has indicated in the Reference DAC when it hits the streets later this year. 

 Guido, do you know something on this?