Any issues with Naim DAC or ND5XS?

Hi, in the two years I have owned the NDAC it has never hung. The NDX has hung a couple of times far as I can remember in that time, but not recently so might have been to do with firmware that has now been upgraded. I leave them on all the time.

Simon

Had the ND5XS for 11 months now. Ran bare for 2 months as was very pleased then after demoing an XPS-2 had to go for it as sound was rather special. No problems with the ND5, any I have had are on the NAS side, using a Western Digital with Twonky. Have done one firmware upgrade which went without a hitch and was very simple. Have used the ND5 as a DAC as well, out of laptop using digital connection, for listening to music samples before purchasing and was impressed at what it does.

N-Stream is getting better, although not perfect yet.

The Naim DAC sound was better for me, when demo'd with a MacBook as source against a naim streamer. It will always be a matter of taste though, the Naim DAC seems to be the popular choice.

In practical terms the Naim DAC is totally idiot-proof as well, especially when considering wiring in any sort of digital sources, such as a MacBook or Mini or some old CD player, audiophile alarm clock by use of a Pure DAB.

A ND5 XS could be more helpful in other domestic setups where there is a specific need to stream music, but it does seem to require some more effort in setting up, UPnP and software additional requirements, a very ethernet environment.

I had a ND5XS on loan from the local hifi shop and tried it with a few sources - CD5XS, SBT and from a NAS. I thought that it sounded totally different to the nDAC. This may be controversial but I did not like it all - for me the bass was boomy and cymbals tizzy. The DAC was so much better and much more familiar to the CD5XS  - try before you buy, that my advice - I'm glad I did!

I have both a Naim Supernait and a Naim Dac. The Dac never hangs whereas the Supernait does so I think you will be fine purchasing just the Dac.

I agree that it sounded the way you say it did. However, into a NaitXS, this was actually preferable.

It had a softer more diffuse sound than the nDac.

I guess, both units do not have an IR receiver, so probably, they are not object to the same problems like reported (and experienced by myself) on the supernait or nait xs, right?

My current setup is comprised of a Synology NAS service falc files through squeezebox server, a squeezebox touch and a Musical Fidelity M1DAC. I really fancy the iPeng app on my iPhone/iPad. Besides sound quality, I would really be interested what the user experience is like using the nait app. I guess, in terms of ease-of-use and comfort, iPeng will be hard to beat.

The nDAC does have a remote receiver. It's controlled with a NARCOM in preamp mode.

keys 7,8,9, 0 for play operation.

I've never had any hangup problems, but I don't have any TV's in the vicinity.

Looking at the ND5XS spec. it also has IR remote control, and is supplied with a handset

Sailork, I'm using the nDAC with the SBT and think that it is a brilliant combination. I much preferred it to the ND5XS but you need to listen yourself. Also with the SBT now discontinued and no suitable replacement from Logitech, you want to consider moving to a product line that will be supported for some time to come.

I've posted quite a few times regarding how impressed I am with the SBT into DAC/XPS2. I did consider an NDX (the NDS wasn't out yet at the time) but I didn't feel the NDX was the right choice for me. You could be happy with the ND5XS but you already have the SBT. Keep it, upgrade it with the app that gives you 24/192 and get a linear power supply. Add the DAC and I think you'll be quite happy. I've had no issues with the DAC whatsoever, even the firmware update went smoothly.

Arun

Very surprised by Arun comment. I made myself several test with Ndac, Nd5x, Ndx with a SB3 for a direct comparison. Starting with a bare SB3 (with power upgrade) , the sb3/ndac, Nd5x and NDX.

So for me the NDX was a clear winner.

Just matter of taste ;-)

Sure, everyone has a preference. We can just provide our opinions, nothing more.

If the OP already has the SBT, I think it's worth trying into the DAC. If it's not your cup of tea, then by all means it's worth exploring the ND5XS (or higher). It's worth mentioning the d/a electronics in the ND5XS are not as good as the ones in the DAC (and NDS). And I find the Logitech software better (Apple plus Android).

But again, I've had no issues with the DAC whatsoever. It transformed the sound of my TV as well.

Arun

+1