ND5XS or NDX into an NDAC+XP5 XS

Both are decent streamers. I'd buy the ND5XS and put the money saved towards replacing your 202 with a 282. 

Slightly different question. Last year I added an XP5XS to my ND5 XS and really enjoyed the improved SQ this brought. Unfortunately the ugrade bug has bitten again and am considering adding the nDac to this set up. Anyone currently have this setup and any views on whether the XP5XS would be best used to power the Dac or the ND5XS streamer?  

NDac, but you should listen carefully think seriously about whether it is an 'up' grade or 'side' grade.

G

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like like any improvement in SQ is likely to be subtle or simply a difference in presentation/sound rather than an improvement. Obviously careful auditioning advisable before making any decision.  

Mr Sjbabbey, I also have nd5/ xp 5 , but being not totally happy with the sound I added a non naim dac to the nd5 and planned to sell the xp5. The sale of the psu did not go as fast as I wished so I hooked it back up again on the nd5. It made such a positive difference that I now have nd5/xp5 into dac. Maybe with the naim dac the psu is better used on the dac, but still something to consider.

thomas

Sjbabbey, in my experience it's only with the 555PS on the DAC do you finally get best of class in the Naim portfolio. The NDAC on it's own or lesser PSUs is more capable than the inbuilt streamer DACs (exc NDS), however the NDAC does provide a lot of info, and is massively more revealing and wide band and than the streamers (exc NDS) and so you need to audition carefully to ensure it doesn't unbalance your system.

if your system, room and speakers are suited , however, forget about opening windows, with a 555PS on the NDAC it's more like you are standing on a mountain top.

BTW the NDX does sound better (IMO)  into the NDAC/555PS than ND5XS into NDAC/555PS.

Simon

PS don't skimp on mechanical isolation on the NDAC. This was fixed with the NDS, but  you need careful positioning on good isolation with the NDAC. I use top level on a Fraim. Failure to get this right seems to rob so much of the NDACs capability.

Sounds like the next meaningful level improvement may be very expensive unless I can source the NDAC and 555PS second hand. It will also mean a lot of boxes unless I trade the ND5 and XP5 towards an NDX.

It's a lot to think about so  I think I'll just enjoy the ND5 and XP5 combo for a while longer.

Why not forget about the DAC and just swap the ND5 for an NDS? Then later on you can swap the XP5XS for a 555PS. 

Thanks all for the replies and also the other useful comments relating to the upgrade paths. I realise that the 202 is probably needing an upgrade to the 282 as mentioned but I guess I'm itching for a Naim streamer to replace the Sonos. I was thinking that the nDAC would lessen the benefit of going for the NDX over the ND5 XS but after reading the above a careful audition is required (as ever!).