NDX vs nDAC (again)

I have been a great NDAC fan, but to my ears it was at its best with 555PS original, and not with the later 555PS DR... There was a lovely  organic feel with the original 555PS that to my ears was lost with the DR version... If you can, listen to the NDAC with both and see which you prefer.

Simon

I tried to find a used one but the only ones I could find were old and likely would need a recap.  I ordered a new one and they are obviously all DR versions.

Bud

My vote goes for an NDac and 555 PS - preferably with Powerlines in both. I've tried a Hugo and whilst it's good I thought the bare NDac with a single Powerline bettered it. There was a rythmic drive to the NDac combo that the Hugo just lacked In my system. Adding the 555 PS really was the icing on the cake taking detail to a new level. Nothing I've ever heard beats it for the pure musical enjoyment you can get from the digital domain.

I just bought a mint nDAC which completes the package.  I'll have a PowerLine on it as well as a Nordost TYR2 power cable on the 555PS DR.  The NDX will also have a PowerLine and I'll look for a PC for the CDX2.2.

There will be a Chord DIN/RCA Super Sarum from the nDAC to the headphone amp and a Super Sarum digital from the NDX to the nDAC.  I'll upgrade the Indigo Plus currently from the CDX2.2.

Now it's going to be a while until I get some hours on this system but I believe it's going to be good.

Bud

All this for headphones?

+1

Just get a DAC V1. I have one, and it is really good

Add a NAP 100 and compatible speakers and it's a full Naim system for not a lot of money

So definitely no, the PS555 NDAC is not worth it for sure.

Bud

That is an awesome  front end you are building and I am sure in fact definitely sure that it will boogie like a bastard.

ATB Ray

Yes. 

I cannot have speakers so I am going to have the best headphone system I can put together.  Call it my retirement system.

Bud

Just for kicks, you should also have your dealer send you a Dac-V1.

OTOH, maybe not. It'll upset you if you don't hear much of a difference.

You should hear the hi rez version of Jazz at the Pawnshop and it's not done.

Bud

How's that 252/300 combo doing?

Bud

Are you speaking from experience?

BTW, it's not a question of "worth the money", it's a question of absolute enjoyment. 

Just consider how much money people waste on cars.  What I'm spending is peanuts and will provide far more enjoyment.

I worked and sacrificed for 40 years to get to where I'm at.

Bud

The UnitiQute/Nap100 sounds pretty much the same. 

I suppose so if the source is an iPod:-)

Even more so when I don't have time to listen to either system.

well Bud, i would normally say that "easy money made, easy spent".

but i woun't!

sometimes i do not understand one bit of this forum... you say you are limited in space, yet keep 6 products to act as digital source??!!

no personal thing intended, i am just curious... if space is a problem, why not a superuniti, hook some speakers and be done with it!

Ignore these naysayers Bud - its only the usual crowd with their usual gripes who dont address the question anyway - and enjoy your music on your system.

ATB Ray

Have you ever spent an afternoon with a room full of audiophiles.  Thats what this thread reminds me of.  9 audiophiles 13 opinions on the same system.  In person you typically dismiss most of the opinions as they are clearly not on the same wave length as you.

Now i could say that my Naim DAC and XPS2 DR with dual Nordost Valhalla power cords ( with another Valhalla, 2 QV2s, 2 Quantum power boards and a Nordost Odin before the wall socket will beat any front end on the planet, but i stopped short of putting a Valhalla on my Macbooks Hynes power supply so i could try harder.

Part of me does not acknowledge the guy (me) that auditioned each of this stupidly obsessive array of upgrades in the pursuit of DAC nirvana.  It was over a couple of years and included an weekend with a Hugo DAC. I have been good for about 8 months now, apart from investing in Audirvana. 2, which all mac users should try.

Compared to pre audirvana i am pretty much audio destination happy.  Further tweeking is just being obsessive, but i have said this a number of times in recent years.  you chose to forget all the upgrades and the fact that your audio dealer celebrates when he sees your car pull up.

i suggest buying a guitar next.  Something to play along to your favourite tunes on.

I have no room for speakers.  All I have room for is a rack in the corner of the room at the end of a sofa. 

And I did work to downsize.  I went from a full blown Bryston system with very big speakers to a few boxes.  In fact, I was down to three boxes (UServe, U2 and Sennheiser headphone amp).  I have added some boxes but I haven't increased my need for space, just stacked some up a bit.

I have room for an equipment rack but not for speakers.  Going from three shelves to five doesn't increase my need for space.

I had the same audio system for more than 36 years.  I owned the same Leica camera for more than 36 years.  I drove the same car for 22 years.  My wife drove the same car for 17 years.

I could go out and buy a car that would cost more than I have in my audio equipment and it wouldn't be all that grand.

Now I'm at a place where I want absolute performance and don't care about price to performance.  I know all about the law of diminishing returns.

What I want to know is what's best....period.

I owned a SuperNait 2 which has the same headphone amp.

Bud

That guitar is the best advice I've yet received!

Bud