NDX/NDAC vs NDX/XPS(DR)

Posted by: Patrick Lam on 03 May 2014

Hi folks,

 

Did anyone experience or try the two captioned combinations?  Is there any significant difference sonically?

 

I am wondering which one sound much warmth, natural, airy and tuneful?  NDX plays background music mainly during mid-night.  Well, 555PS is the ultimate PSU but it is out of my budget.  For your information, my current system is as follows:

 

CDS3/XPS/122x/150x/HC(non-dr)/NAT05XS/HC(non-dr)/n-Sats/n-Sub

 

I owned a SuperUniti also and it sounds marvellous and brings much happiness and enjoyment to me. As I understand clearly that a naked NDX sounds better than SuperUniti in terms of streaming but every piece of naim device bring different enjoyment to me personally.  

 

Any advice and suggestions are highly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Patrick

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by hungryhalibut

I would swap the CDS3 for an NDS and use it with the XPS. This assumes that your XPS is a black one, rather than the original olive version, as that won't work with the streamers.

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

I would swap the CDS3 for an NDS and use it with the XPS. This assumes that your XPS is a black one, rather than the original olive version, as that won't work with the streamers.

Wish I could have 'swapped' my CDS3 for an NDS. You will be lucky to see the price of an ex-dem or S/H NDX from the sale of the CDS3 in today's market.

 

If the end goal is NDS then stick with NDX/XPS. The ndac being a sideways move ime.

 

G

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by hungryhalibut

I don't mean swap as in them costing the same -that would be nice! It's not clear from Patrick's post if he actually has an NDX already. If he does, then adding a PS on the way to an NDS would be the way to go.

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Patrick Lam

Thanks Hungryhalibut and GraemeH advice,  CDS3 would be my main system in the coming years.  I listened to NDS/555PS once before in the showroom and it is marvellous.  There is still some missing when I listen to NDS/555PS but I can't tell what's missing.  Musical level is extremely high and it is touching enough of NDS/555PS.  CDS3/XPS2 draws my soul every time when I listened to them.  I can't stop myself from nodding and toe-tapping every time.  

 

For the time being, NDX would be my target in streaming.  

 

My XPS2 is a black one that is compatible with NDS.

 

Thank you very much.

 

Cheers,

Patrick

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Patrick Lam
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

I don't mean swap as in them costing the same -that would be nice! It's not clear from Patrick's post if he actually has an NDX already. If he does, then adding a PS on the way to an NDS would be the way to go.

Hi Hungryhalibut,

 

I don't have the NDX and I will buy it soon.  

 

Cheers,

Patrick

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Chag...

I would always go nDAC unless/until acquiring NDS.

That's what I did and... kept nDAC anyway.  

 

Only a very few would prefer NDX/555PS to NDX/nDAC. 

 

 

Chag -

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by fathings cat

Indeed, I run NDX/NDAC/555ps (non DR) and it provides a wonderful analogue/ natural sound.

in the used market you could probably pick up NDX/ndac for c£3200.  

 

The NDX is a nice player but adding a power supply didn't make me go wow like the NDX/dac

 

Never done side by side demo v NDS but as I like the sound of my current system never felt compelled to do so - maybe one day. 

 

It's a big box count the OP has - would maybe consider a supernait 2 and question value of tuner v internet radio on NDX. 

 

Gary

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I agree with Gary above - however I did compare NDX/NDAC/555PS with NDS/555PS (both DR and non DR) and for me NDAC/555PS wins as it seems to focus more in what I like in music  as opposed to  the NDS but both are marvellous players - and it has to be said however the NDS/555PS wins on being more compact.

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by fathings cat

Simon, did you ever do the 4 box source I.e. Adding an XPS to NDX.? Not withstanding the fact this it is a lot of boxes for one source I am mildly curious on impact on sou d

 

Gary

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi Gary - not on my home setup - but on a 500 series setup I heard a completely over the top NDX/555PS -> NDAC/555PS and was mesmerised - and in fact there was particular track by Gill Scott-Heron; 'I'm New Here' that just sounded breathtaking and I have never heard it sound better...

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Patrick Lam

Hi Gary and Simons,

 

Thanks for your advice.  Well, I would audition the combination of NDX and NDAC in the showroom later.  

 

Cheers,

Patrick

Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Scooot
Hi Patrick,
As per your second post,cds3
Will be my main source.
If streaming is going to be a secondary source or potentially used for background music don't discount the nd5xs.nd5/ndac is a excellent source with the added bonus of £1000+ still in the bank.have a listen you may well be pleasently surprised at this combos toe tapping attributes.

Scott
Posted on: 03 May 2014 by Patrick Lam
Originally Posted by Scooot:
Hi Patrick,
As per your second post,cds3
Will be my main source.
If streaming is going to be a secondary source or potentially used for background music don't discount the nd5xs.nd5/ndac is a excellent source with the added bonus of £1000+ still in the bank.have a listen you may well be pleasently surprised at this combos toe tapping attributes.

Scott

Hi Scott,

 

Thanks for your suggestion,  I did not auditioned ND5XS/NDAC before and will listen this combo in showroom later.  Well, the mid to bass of NDX is better than ND5XS personally.  I hope the addition of NDAC to ND5XS will improve the mid to bass.

 

Cheers,

Patrick