Some thoughts on NDX and Naim DAC

Posted by: k90tour2 on 21 March 2013

As a newbie, I thought someone might benefit from my recent experience just as I have benefitted from the other useful posts here. 

My primary source has been an MSB iLink into a Firestone DAC.  The iLink is a modified iPod into a dock that re-clocks the output and removes jitter before the DAC. 

Changing the Firestone for a Naim DAC and using 202/Hicap+NAP200 and PMC20-22 was obviously a massive improvement.  The PMC speakers are very good.  Even sitting on my desk.

 

I added an XPS2 to the DAC and this brought an improvement to the clarity.

 

The problem I was facing was the limited space on the iPod and the fact that it can only play standard resolution files.

 

So, I needed an HDX or a NDX.

Searching the forum for advice, I bought a NDX and, from Amazon, a Synology 212J NAS which is plugged into the BT Business hub.

 

In the short term, the NDX had to sit on my desk away from the other kit and use it's own analogue output into the NAC 202.  The iLink was played via the DAC/XPS2.

 

I had no way of knowing that the Synology was delivering the best quality to the NDX. The iLink/DAC/XPS2 sounded much better than the NDX alone. 

 

The next stage was to play a USB file into the NDX and compare that with one supplied by the Synology NAS.  The streamed file sounded much better than the USB. So no problem with the NAS, perhaps.

 

Now, with an extra shelf delivered, the NDX is connected into the Naim DAC via BNC and can be compared side by side with the iLink.

The NDX is hugely improved with the DAC/XPS2 and better than the iLink/DAC.

 

I was hoping that I might be able to move the Naim DAC on, but the NDX does need it.  The iLink is packed away.

 

My next tasks are to explore possible improvements to the NAS setup, the n-Stream app and the 555PS for the DAC.

 

Downstairs is a LP12/Basik playing into a Naim Nait 1.  It still sounds great. I paid £85.00 for the Nait in 1989. A bargain.

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi congrats on your setup, I find the 555PS (non DR) into the Naim DAC a superb combo and works very well with the NDX.

Thoughts - ensure the NDX firmware is uptodate - some of the updates did improve the SQ from its own DAC.

Also ensure that when you play off the internal DAC the digi out is disabled and vica versa.

I find putting ferrite chokes around the Ethernet lead and SPDIF lead help impede common mode RFI (the scurge of digital audio)

Finally if you can use screened ethernet lead into your NDX, it helps reduce radiation into other leads like mains, interconnects and speaker leads.

Simon

 

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by k90tour2:

My next tasks are to explore possible improvements to the NAS setup, the n-Stream app and the 555PS for the DAC.

May I suggest another task -- auditioning the NDS/555PS versus the NDX/DAC/PowerSupply combo.  It's one less box, and definitely sounds DIFFERENT.  Hook here recently chose that direction, while Simon prefers the NDX/DAC/Power Supply combo.  We all have different ears and preferences, but once you are talking about that much money, I do think that you owe it to yourself to listen to the NDS/555PS.

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by thebigfredc

 

Hi and thanks for sharing your experience.

 

With naim's current product list there are quite a few possible directions to go in. I wondered if you had considered putting the XPS on the NDX and then having a listen with and without the DAC.

 

Of course, you could have bought a Unitiserve for replay into the DAC rather than the NDX.

 

ATB

 

Ray

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by k90tour2

Thank you for your replies already! I'll try Simons ferrite chokes, that's an easy one. I've actually got a 555PS (non-DR) sitting here waiting to try. I could sell the XPS or put it on the NDX.  The DAC made such a difference that I'm inclined to keep it attached to the NDX.

I did consider a Unitiserve but the forum's advice swayed me towards the NDX.

I've even read a couple of comments about the NDX/DAC being a good alternative to the NDS. I like a slightly raw sound, I'd rather be invigorated than seduced by the music.

I'm ripping with DBpoweramp. 

I've tried my wires iPhone with the n-Steam app and it couldn't find the NDX.  Shame, as the display on the NDX shows little information and makes browsing slow. Still, I haven't wasted £300 or so on an iPad.

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

K90tour2, as Bart says I do prefer the NDX into the NDAC/555PS to the NDS/555PS... But they are both extremely accomplished players. The former preceded the latter of course.. But you do want to have a demo if you can on your home system to see which presentation you prefer, as thay do indeed sound different to each other.

Simon

 

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by MangoMonkey

IF the iPhone doesn't work I don't think the iPad will work either.

Posted on: 21 March 2013 by MangoMonkey

FWIW, I sold my nDac since I didn't want to do three box source - I missed it for a while - but ultimately think I'm happier with one less box.

Just leaving the XPS-2 and NDX connected up and running for a week weeks helped immensely - I suspect the XPS-2 takes forever to come on song. Waiting for the DR upgrade at this point.

Posted on: 24 March 2013 by k90tour2

I was hoping to sell the DAC but it sounds too important.  I did try the NDX with the XPS2 but preferred the DAC to be there.  And now the XPS2 is surplus to requirements as the 555PS is even better.  I'd like to keep the XPS2 for the NDX but I'd need another shelf and seven boxes is more than enough. And still doesn't play LPs, CDs and cassettes.