In praise of the NDX

David, congratulations on the new purchase!

Just want to note that PS is not a weak point in the audio chain.

I think it's quite opposite and the best no-compromise systems today are based around PC rather than dedicated streamers. The problem is always in setup which is obviously more hassle with PC.

In your case I guess you have overlooked such a wonderful gadget as Hiface (circa 300 $).

It converts USB into a low-jitter output and sounds fantastic through re-clocking nDAC and miles better than CD5X/HiCap or CDX2.

There is a new version HiFace Evo which is reported to provide the top quality bitstream on par with the best transports (but that will come at >1 K$ including the extra PS).

Anyway, NDX is definitely a good way to go. And less hassle than PC audio.

dk2,

Glad you've got a result.

I'm now using an NS01 into my nDAC - and this is the best digital audio I have ever had.

I would agree with AMA that I got close to this with my DELL Laptop and a HiFACE. VFM and HiFi do not good befellows make!

However, to get the laptop sounding close I had to strip nearly all functionality out of it, including networking.

With the Naim I get great music, networked music stores, and a fantatically convenient ripping mechanism.

I am sure that the NDX will be the solution for a lot of people.

Are you going to be playing with what the nDAC does, or does not, bring to the party?

M

The nDAC is gone; used it in part payment for the NDX. 5 boxes is plenty for me!

Thanks for the post David.  Glad you are pleased with your system.  

Good to see positive reports coming through on the NDX.

I'm sure that Naim would only of signed it off if they were 100% about it. If I know Naim, I'm sure it wiill deliver and "rock n boogie"!

I can understand that.

I the nDAC is a great bit of kit, and am currently using all the inputs.

Be interested to hear how you think the NDX develops as it beds in.

M

PCs are inherently compromised, fatally so for higher-res music. A streamer and NAS is ultimately a superior and more convenient solution.

I agree, I was less than satisifed with PC/Hiface combination, the Unitiserve/nDac is far superior in my system

@David et al,

You are in good company.  See the superb review in this months (May) Hi Fi Choice.  If you wanted a third party endorsement, there it is.  So good, got me thinking about upgrading my little Qute! 

Richard

Hi Gerry,

My experience is:

1. Standard XP build + HiFace + nDAC -> OK

2. CMP2 XP Build + HiFace + nDAC -> Very Good

3. NS01 + nDAC -> Excellent

1. to 3. I would agree is far superior.

2. to 3. is better.

But then factor in usability and I am a very happy customer.

M

Another new NDX user.  Just unpacked today.

Just streaming from ITunes library on my MBPro while waiting for my NAS to come.

Initial thoughts are that this is typically Naim and very good.

This is as good, probably better, than my CDX2.  

I am in the NDX waiting room. Four questions I would appreciate advice on while I wait a few more days....

1. Thoughts on cable to go to nDAC? Naim vs Chord?

2. If you have both NDX and nDac but no CD player, what to do with the ground switch?

3. Stacking order?

4. Which device to put the XPS on? nDac vs NDX

Many thx....am listening to Naim rips via Apple TV and nDac/XPS - distinctly not shabby.

DQ,

I will answer the questions where I can contribute:

2. The best advice by Naim and other forums members here is to set nDAC to Chasis and NDX to Floating.

3. I would put the nDAC at the best shelf for issolation i.e. at the top.

4. Definetly nDAC.

Please post your findings about the NDX when you get it. Allen, I am about to post an update on my thread on my NDX findings so far:-

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/4382380620222159

Damn, AllenB beat me to it

ASenna04

Had a listen to an NDX back to back with a CDX2 today.

NDX was fed wirelessly from my laptop, streaming FLACs ripped through dbPoweramp.

NDX was more vital and musical to me, and the difference was not subtle.  This was my first foray into streaming computer stored music and I was shocked at how good it sounded.  I will be buying one of these in the next few months...

Asenna and AllenB,

Thank you both for your advice, very helpful.

David

David,

I just did the same as you did on Apr 2nd: Bought a new NDX (sorry for the ones in the waiting room), send the FLAC files (up to 88.2/24) via the UPnP stream wired to the NDX from a Mac Mini Server. Sounds just great, as expected:-)).

Now I am working on the minor problems of getting the Cover Art of the FLAC files correct on a Mac.

SongeGenie and CoverScout did the job for me for the MP3 palyers to go (iPhone)....Sadly the products don't accept audiophile formats (so far).

How did you manage to add Cover Art and other Tags to the FLAC files?

What about your experience?

Hi Sondek

Found a great programme for the mac called media rage. Took a little while to work out how to use it, but now I have I've been able to resolve all my issues of missing artwork, double albums put together into one etc etc. It cost about £20 all together but you can use it as a free trial for a while to test it.

Best of luck!

David

Hi David,

Many thanks for your suggestion.

I came across the same programme today on the Internet. I have tested it after work quickly. Cover art works for the FLAC files. Great!

But to finish the chain of pain: The covers do not appear in the n-stream V2.0 on an iPhone using the UPnP Server Playback. The covers of the MP3's appear in the right manner however. Do you have this problem solved too? 

I slowly start to understand why people are opting for the UnitiServe.....what I am all about is called R&D elsewhere.

Many thanks.

Sorry Sondek, mine are all FLAC and all appear fine on the n-stream.

You've only got to sort it once and it's done; think what you've saved by not buying a userve!

Best of luck.

David