NDX or CDX2?

Hi,

Just been in a similar position and I got a DAC followed by an NDX on loan. My views (test system 202/Hi/200/s400). I like both jazz and dark wave/alternative electronica but in both pace and transients are more important than warm tone/flowing musicality. Very non-vinyl/valve...

CDX2 was better than the NDX/XPS2>DAC/555PS, more rhythmic and 'tighter'/

The MacMini 2012/Supernova 6 Toslink/DAC/555PS was a bit crisper and clearer than the CDX2, but with the same rhythm and pace.

I decided not to get the NDX, it just seemed 'sluggish' to my ears, and my wife's.

Hi

I have owned both and, in the context of a 282/200/hi system, preferred the NDX overall to the CDX2.

As Brendan has alluded though, with some types of music, the more upbeat character of the CD player triumphs but, IMHO, at the cost of sounding glassy with poor recordings and it was this trait that I found difficult to live with.

ATB

Ray

Thanks for your thoughts guys. Not conclusive so far but it seems the difference is minimal. My wife thinks we should keep the CDX2 as she is old school and loves the ol' CD! 

My system is CDX2,AV2,NAP200,NAP-V175,Stageline & Gyrodeck. Do you think I would be better off keeping the CD and getting the new streaming pre-amp which should upgrade the AV2 as well? Can't remember it's name!

Thanks

Stuart

HDX?  Costs a bit more but how much is domestic harmony worth?

I'm surprised!  Here, it was the opposite; my wife truly appreciates that there are NO cd's cluttering the living room.  (We use an NDS.)

I traded in my CDX2 for an NDX after a couple of days of listening to both. I found the music just as enjoyable on the NDX (I use lossless flac and rest of system is XPS, 202, NAPSC, HiCap, 200 Guru 10s) with the bonus of a far better ease of use and being able to declutter the living room with all the cds. Wife loves it and being able to stick on radio paradise in the background is a great bonus to.

I prefer the CDX2 to the NDX, but Mac Mini with DAC/555PS to any Naim CDP I have heard. As with all these choices everybody will have their own preference and there is no right or wrong. Another advantage for me of both CDX2/555PS and Mac Mini with DAC/555PS is ease of use, as no UPnP streaming is involved. 

However, for those who are happy to run a UPnP server then the NDX is fine, the SQ is a matter of taste, system, room etc., 

All the best, Guy

Thanks Chris and Guy, maybe I will keep the CDX2 and buy the cheaper ND5 XS to work alongside each other. Seems to be little to choose between them and I love the idea of no CD clutter and ease of use. I'm sure we would listen to more music and stuff we don't normally bother to dig out of the collection. 

I'm going down to Bristol on Friday for the annual pilgrimage so will see what I make of the Naim demo room which is bound to be dominated by streaming products!

Cheers

Stuart

NDX vs ND5x are both nice machine

Have to admit that the CDX2 was not at my taste (to much on the bright side) so is not the NDX. Therefore as mentioned by Guido really matter of taste.

After my demo (Ndac/Nd5X/NDX) and with my requirement, the NDX was a clear winner. Like a big "ND5x".

Ndac....hum... on the bright side as well (to me ears a least) and need another component. Working in IT, key point was " No pc/Mac in my living room ;-) )

Enjoy your listening session....

Hi, I have both the NDX, NDAC and CDX2. The NDX is a very different presentation to the CDX2, with the CDX2 having peaks of sounding very good, really suiting rock and electronica, with the NDX sound more laid back/smoother and suiting a wider genre of music  styles better without the peaks of the CDX2.

The NDX into NDAC/555PS is however a game changer... But and it is a big but, you do need to partner with transparent and good speakers / amplification as the NDAC sends out a lot of info across the frequency spectrum and lesser speakers / bad room acoustics can end up sounding bright or ponderous depending where the limitations are, ie colour actions get emphasized. Get it right and the NDAC is the most organic sounding digital source Naim has capable of startling realism and musicality.

Back to the CDX2, I am sure there was a bit of upper mid compression / emphasis that is nicely balanced with the XPS and sorbothane feet that can make it sound very emotional/intense and rewarding. I couldn't get the NDX to behave that way, it was too polite.

Of course the above all IMO and expireienced with various Naim and non Naim amps and mostly ATC speakers, although occasionally Harbeth, in a room with some acoustic treatment.

Simon

CDX2 vs NDX is like comparing "emotion" vs "sound" so, keep the CDX2...

Music is all about emotions and not the latest gadgets or isn't it?

With the Nait XS, I actually prefer the ND5XS than the NDX. The nDac is nicer, but one box too many, since I would still need the ND5XS as a streamer.

Stuart,

As your wife is old school and  loves the CD I would show her how much you love her and trade in your CDX2 for a CDS3-you will then forget all about streaming!!!

Tony.

Before I bought my NDX, I spent 2 hours listening to it (fed from a wireless laptop) against a CDX2 through the same system...(282/250/Spendor standmounts).

One could argue that I had already made my mind up but the bottom line was that even fed a wireless   input, the NDX 'sounded' better. Forget all the HiFi crap; a streaming system changes the way one uses their HIFi.  Music is easier to access hence I listen to it more; is that not the point?

I don't like this thread.

It is very very difficult for me to do any comparative listening because I live a country or two away from my dealer.

I was hoping that everyone would claim that the NDX sounds almost identical to a CDX2 so that I could just buy one.

Let me make it worse for you:

I never liked the NDX until I applied the latest firmware update. Now I like it. So, depending on what patch the NDX had when folks were listening to it, the might have different opinions.

Who knows, maybe the next patch will make it a lot more bouncy and fun