NDX!

The new Linn Akurate DS impressed me quite a bit against CDX2-2/DC1/DAC and NDX/DC1/DAC in a system with Naim amps (282/Hi Cap/250)... The Linn does not sound as forward as Naim, but very transparent and precise and female and male voices that are simply amazing. It also does PRaT very, very well...I would have never thought that I like Linn that much.

For me the simplicity of a one box solution from Linn compared to the 1, 2 or 3 box solution from Naim is very compelling.

Fit and forget

Thanks...ADS~5500€, NDX+PS~8000€...hard stuff...

(Ok. with NDX you'll get a DAC converter for free and a better system integration:-))

Are you actually saying that you went ahead and bought the NDX without first listening to its immediate competition? Sorry, but.....

Not only Linn is making the top quality streamers -- they are definitely THE BEST among the single-box solutions.

(Graham -- shouldn't we post on the Linn forum? )

.. and Linn don't claim that you have to use their ripping and storage products to get the best sound either.

For me the last few posts just nail it.  If I were to buy an NDX I would feel the itch to upgrade it.  But then I would feel that I were spending a lot of money above and beyond the price of the Linn ADS, just to get it sounding as good as that product.  In fact you would then be approaching Linn Klimax territory...

Looks like Linn have produced the digital LP12 for the 21st Century?

Unfortunately -- no. KDS is a great source but it's a big deal to keep up with its flabby bass and relaxed presentation. I can leave with it but I know many people who are not so tolerant.

Naim house sound is still attractive to many and it should be reincarnated in a new range of naim streamers. I'd like to wait for NDS/555PS and it would be nice to hear from Naim that this work is in progress.

Just to throw in my 2p worth...I have now heard a direct comparison between the latest ADS and an NDX/nDAC. It was only a casual listen at a dealer, so no other permutations were tried. The rest of the system was NAC202/Hicap/NAPSC/NAP250.2 feeding a second-hand pair of Naim Credos!

Listening through the Credos was a bit of a challenge for me and possibly favoured the NDX slightly, but, whilst I could hear the good things the ADS was doing, I actually preferred the NDX/nDAC combo. There seemed to be a bit of an artificial sheen to the ADS compared to the NDX/nDAC and vocals seemed more "human" on the Naim front-end. I know the dealer however, whilst trying hard to remain impartial, disagreed with me and  thought the ADS both "better" and preferable to him.

As always, go and listen for yourselves....

Yes, Naim...I would be VERY interested in hearing about an "NDS" as well .....

Steeve 

It's odd I seem to be the only person who prefers vocals with the Naim gear! 

lawoftrust, I had never heard ADS/1 neither NDX. Possibly they are both excellent in bass.

But the bass from KDS with dynamik PS is not as punchy as nDAC/XPS. It's just loose.

The transparency of KDS is on par with nDAC/XPS -- not better/worse.

Both give the same amount of details. The soundstage is similar.

The transients are much sharper on nDAC/XPS -- acoustic guitar plays much more natural on nDAC/XPS. On Red Book KDS is much smoother -- more analogue. On hi-res both KDS and nDAC/XPS come very close in smoothness and soundstage but nDAC/XPS is still punchier in bass.

I don't disparage KDS -- it stands it's own against TP/nDAC/XPS and seduced me with its smoothness on Red Books (similar to CDS3) which are 90% of my music collection. But when you go for hi-res the TP/nDAC/XPS plays the same smooth as KDS while retaining its transient qualities and prominent, articulated bass.

Both gears were running through 282/250.2 system and sourced the same FLACs from the same NAS.

I just switched the source on the front panel on 282 and could immediately track the sonic changes. 

Note: many of you guys compare nDAC against ADS.

I would strongly suggest to run your tests with nDAC/XPS as I believe the build-in PS is not good enough. Linn is using SMPS which can perform very good while keeping the small size and relatively cheap ingredients. Naim is stuck to linear PS which can swipe more clean energy into circuit but at the size and cost. nDAC built-in PS is way too small to supply nDAC electrical current needs.

And it's not about power (the average power consumption of nDAC is rather small) -- it's about the ability to conduct the transients.

That's why nDAC/XPS is so sharp in transients and articulated in bass. The sharp transients provide what we used to call "naturalness" of live instruments: whether it's voice or wind or string. The drums sound more real on nDAC/XPS. When we switched from KDS to nDAC/XPS it looked like the orchestra woke up, stood up and start playing more vividly. When switching back to KDS -- and the orchestra sat back to the chairs and continue playing relaxed as if having a cigar in the meantime.

At one point I owned CD555+555PS, nDAC+555PS and KDS. After much listening to all options and configurations I now have only the KDS.

For me the KDS was indeed smoother and more "analogue" that the Naim front-ends, but lost nothing in timing. The KDS also retrieved more information from the source, so I was getting more insight and detail in the music. I was hearing parts of the music I'd never heard with the CD555.

I've read here a few comments that the KDS has flabby bass. Personally I've not heard it.

I found the nDAC too "bright" and detailed on all sources I tried it on.

Graham, that's a very good news actually. It definitely means that 552 takes a better control over KDS than my 282. If this is a case then KDS/552 can be a killer combo. It also means that 552 resolves many more details than 282 and highlights the KDS superiority over nDAC -- which is another good news.

Big shame I can't audition these options in Dubai before making a proper investment 

But you made me seriously think it over.

Ello,

I'm trying to suss (in my head) system automation between NDX and 552?. It says to use 3.5mm jack or phono. the NDX does  not have phono remote out.Can you buy 3.5mm to phono cable?

NDAC does have 3.5mm socket, does this mean using N-stream that if you use cable between NDAC and NDX that you could (via N- stream) have volume control etc? i'm guessing not, and that it needs to be between NDX and pre amp.