Advice - hope to move to NDX
Posted by: antony d on 14 March 2014
would welcome advise experience - owned Naim for about 12 years of so, went down the CDX2/252/200/SCap/XPS route and found I just was n't getting the use from investment - for a couple of years now had a Uniti/200 which is on almost all time
I want to get the musicality back of CDX2 - looking at NDX/282/200/Uniti serve
have demo booked at end of month so experience helpful
Antony
I'd also think about the Supernait 2. with the money saved you could maybe think about an NDS with XPS, which would make a wonderful three box setup. I'd wholeheartedly recommend the UnitiServe, which is great to use and works really well.
I have an NDX (with supernait/hicap) which is certainly musical but has a more refined presentation than a CDX2 so while it will not give you the same sound signature as a CDX2 it is a good step up from the Uniti products.
Judging by forum comments given you had a CDX2/XPS the PSU upgrade also seems to be more beneficial on the CDX2 than the streamers. As ever your demo should help show the way forward, good luck.
Each source component has a distinctive sound that defines its characteristics. You may find that it's impossible to find another source (regardless of PS upgrades) that will match the sound profile of a CDX2 exactly. In the 12 years that you have owned Naim components, has the CDX2 been the most musically engaging to your ears?
The NDX shares some of the qualities of the CDX2: the sound is dynamic and full of energy. The ideal match for an CDX2/NDX in terms of pre amps is the 282 because it also imparts drive and enthusiasm.
I would listen to an NDS before you consider it as an alternative to the NDX because the former has more refinement and sophistication but could be construed as having less 'musicality'. In addition, even though the NDS is considered 'better' than the NDX, the spark that ignites the NDX burns differently to the flame that resides inside the NDS ^_^
Best regards,
Minh
Antony
I have the combination that you care considering (with Hicap DR) and couldn't be more pleased with it. I serve from a dedicated Asset server rather than the Userve which works really well and is very reliable.
However, had the NDS and Supernait 2 been available when I was buying I may have taken the path suggested by HH and it certainly merits serious consideration. I haven't heard the SN2 but having a source the quality of the NDS in a system would be a compelling draw for me. If this is a bit of a stretch then I would consider leaving the NServe for the time being and pursuing a cheaper server solution.
Richard
If you have Uniti/ NAP 200, I would advise you to try DAC V1 with NAP 200
it has a good preamp and DAC.
You might be very pleasantly surprised. I certainly am happy with it.
In fact it has also transformed my movie watching experience at home.
I use it with my Yamaha/KEF/REL set up when watching movies and it's given such a major upgrade to the sound that movies, and in fact all TV channels are so much more fun now.
Hi Antony, as others have said the CDX2 with XPS is a fine source. I loved mine, and can't bring myself around to selling my CDX2.
The NDX sounds different! It sounds more refined and has better stereo imaging, but perhaps doesn't boogie the same way as the CDX2 with certain genres. However the NDX is more universal with genres sounding more consistent across different styles.
I am frankly a little fussy, and to be honest it wasn't until I NDAC/555PS enabled my NDX that I was comfortable moving away from my CDP, at the time the CDS3/XPS, and I found the NDS/555PS just didn't do it for me.. So I might be unusual.......
Simon
Thanks for all recommendations - have demos set up at the end of this month will post outcome
Thanks again
If you have Uniti/ NAP 200, I would advise you to try DAC V1 with NAP 200
it has a good preamp and DAC.
You might be very pleasantly surprised. I certainly am happy with it.
In fact it has also transformed my movie watching experience at home.
I use it with my Yamaha/KEF/REL set up when watching movies and it's given such a major upgrade to the sound that movies, and in fact all TV channels are so much more fun now.
+1, I would certainly audition this combo as well as an NDAC.
@antony_d, not sure whether your mind is set on streaming via a network or whether you have considered serving musing directly from a hard wired server/computer.
Jude
thanks for all the advice - it's great having different points of views - experiences etc - So I have gone for the NDX, 202, 200 - hope to fit Hi Cap once budget allows - advice from Phil at Cymbiosis was nothing short of superb - buying separate NAS with dBpoweramp - QNAP with x 2 TB which should be sufficient!
will report bank once up and running in = whilst listening to NDX options Peter serviced my LP12 - so best of both worlds rely
Congrats! The NDX/202/200 is a very balanced system. Enjoy!