NDX vs nDAC (again)

If it were my money I would buy a NDS/555 for the very best since you are committed to Naim as a source.

If that is not possible then the NDAC/555 is fantastic.

I was recently listening to an HDX on a 552/500 and then my good friend who owns that rig put the same track on CD on CD555.

It was just so much better, more musical and had me smiling with enjoyment.

Nuff said now, time to go make your purchase. Go for it !

I did have an NDS and it became a victim of my downsizing effort.  I actually wasn't too impressed but that was before I got a Fraim.

I now have an nDAC to complete the package.  Time to stop the madness and buy more music.

Bud

Bud

if you don't have room for speakers in the first place, why bother with electronics? only for headphones?

all that gear, for headphones? i'm still in the dark here, but no problem, i don't need further explanations, it's clear that sometimes we think so different that it might amaze one-another...

Hi Leatherneck

do your own research in this area , you want it ,you got to find it yourself ! But please tell us about it...

...... But yes . as much as Naim gives to avarice, I don't think you will find what you are looking for here This time.....

Headphones?  Now there's the rub.  If I was talking about my system when I had Harbeth 30.1's then I suspect I'd get a different reaction. 

Don't knock great headphones.  They aren't the lesser option, they are just a different option.

Bud

exactly right, some headphones can be magical

32 years ago I won a pair of electrostatic bang and olufsen headphones in a radio competition (I was 11 years old !) and it was superb.

Nowadays I hear that Stax headphones are really good. There are many out there. Why not?

Yes, I had to make my own decisions and I have.

Bud

I did that, and now have four of them hanging on the wall...

Stax SR-009's are the best electrostatic cans, Sennheiser HD-800's are the best dynamic phones (ring radiators) and Audeze LCD-3's are the best planar magnetic.  The Sennheiser Orpheus (electrostatic) are arguably the best ever made (now selling for $30K on eBay).

The HD-800's have the best sound stage.  The Stax the best detail and the Audeze the most natural bass. They are like the Magnepan loudspeakers my wife made me sell.

How many people can switch speakers to match the music?

Bud

I don't really get why some people are questioning the effort for building up an absolute headphone setup. High end headphone setup needs high end source, just like speaker setup. I come from headphones and used to spend too much time on Head-Fi many years ago. Then I slowly transferred to a full blown speaker setup. It was mostly due to speakers being more convenient for my use. Nowadays I use the headphone amp of SN2 with Sennheiser HD600 + Cards cable with good results. You can achieve amazing sound with headphones and the room acoustics never effect the end result. 

If I ever have the room, I will get some Maggie 20.1's.  I sold my 1.7's because my wife didn't like the size of them in the room they were in.

I replaced them with Harbeth 30's which are pretty good too.

Bud

I didn't know you could use a Hi Cap on a CDX2.  I have a CDX2.2 and It uses a different line of Naim power supplies. 

Bud

I didn't know you could use a Hi Cap on a CDX2.  I have a CDX2.2 and It uses a different line of Naim power supplies. 

 

Bud

You are right you can't!

Quote from an Audio Reviewer:

 

There are only two types of hi fi components worth considering, The best and the very close to the best, for a whole lot lest!

If I’m not mistaking, the 2.2 was introduced in 2009, which makes mine one of the latest models, before the digital out!  

Quote from member that forced me to pull the trigger:

So you're really looking at a CDX2 if the CD5XS doesn't float your boat. 2nd hand, they can just about be had for your budget. I disagree that it's bright and relentless - I always found it quite splendid myself, and far more engaging than the CD5XS. Personally my preference is for the latest version of the CDX2, so anything post 2008 would be my choice.

Regards,

Frank. Abela

Hence, I went for the Cdx2, I think It might work better on a fraim, but what do I know!

I'm Broke just picked up another 250.2 brand new 388xxx,  4K with full warranty, Of Course it's not the DR version.  But what the heck! 

Next on the agenda Snaxo and SuperCap!  This Upgradeditus is a killer!  

TTUL

Bud,

I haven't read everything thoroughly so this is probably academic now, but after the first ten posts or so I was wondering: what was wrong with Bryston?

It seems to me that you have stubbornly stuck with Naim even though there was at least a non-Naim piece of equipment you liked more than the Naim equivalent.

I have never thought the n-Dac is a very interesting DAC, but I seem to be alone in this; to add a 555PS to it trying to make it as good as the Bryston is really crazy to my eyes - we're talking real, big money.

Naim can be very addictive, and we know it; sometimes you just want it to sound better than anything else; you just want to have Naim. But such an investment in money and mental energy when you already have the system you like (CDX2.2, Bryston DAC, Bryston Headphone amp) is beyond my comprehension.

Sometimes, reading some posts and some moderators' comments, one has the feeling that posters are, as we say here, più realisti del Re - more King-like than the King himself. The first goal is not to have the best Naim system, but the best system - and, if possible, to remain free men. This, from one who has only Naim, buys only Naim, listens to Naim only.

Best

Max

Interesting observation Max, I've always thought that one the key principles of 'separates' hi-fi was to be able to mix 'n' match. Getting hold of Naim audio is aspirational for many enthusiasts and took 15 years for me to start my first Naim system, including a Naim DAC which was almost 3 years ago.  Its been great and although this will now a case of 'following the herd' the Naim DAC might be replaced with a Chord 2Qute DAC

Hi DH,

here I was referring to the apparent fact that Bud wants to have all Naim at all costs, and I was wondering why. In theory I understand this, in practice less; if he's happy with the Bryston DAC, why not stay with it?

I understand the urge to go all Naim, I do, better than many other phenomena; but it hasn't to be followed at all costs...

Best

Max

+1 I grew up as first of 7 children in the family living in an 80m2 appartment... going headphones was the only option to listen to music  (there were no walkmans or mp3s back then)... and I still do in the late night...

First of all, l had a full blown Bryston system (BHA-1, BDP-2, BDA-2, BCD-1, 4BSST2, BP-26, Magnepan 1.7's, Cardas Clear cables).  I put this system together over time after having the same gear for 36 years (Bryston amp, Cotter pre-amp, Denon turntable).  Call the new gear my retirement system. 

Then I decided to give Naim a try and picked up a used SuperNait 2.  For forty years I dreamed of a Naim/Linn/Spendor system but couldn't afford it.

However, when I had the chance to afford a new system, I was hooked on Bryston.

Anyway, when I tried the Naim Supernait 2 I was really impressed.  I could understand why people were hooked on Naim.  I began to move to a full blown Naim system.

Then a situation with my wife forced a move that limited the physical size of my system.so I switched my focus to obtaining the best headphone system I could have based on Naim components.  Money wasn't a consideration and still isn't. 

Obviously, I focused too much on equipment and not enough on just listening to music but that's what happens when you haven't too many constraints.

As for the Bryston DAC, I did like it better than the Naim nDAC but that was a bare nDAC.  I'm convinced that the nDAC/555PS is going to be the best DAC to go with my other Naim components.

Curious thing happened.  When I listened to music with the Bryston DAC, I could hear more depth and detail but when I listened to it using the DAC in the NDX, I found myself enjoying it more.  I believe adding the nDAC/555PS will improve on it.

When I listened to the music with the Bryston DAC, I focused on the equipment.  When I listened to it with the NDX, I focused on the music. 

Isn't that what I was after for those 40 years or so when I dreamed of that Naim/Linn/Spendor system?

People spend their money on different things.  Spending it on the enjoyment of music seems to me to be a good thing.  I remember an audio dealer asking me what better I could spend money on than music and I had no answer, still don't. 

Bud

Bud - I understand your story, but why didn't you purchase a Nait?

I also made the same mistake, saved up for the big system, when I really should have started with a Nait and enjoyed it.

The CDX2.2 sounds significantly better with an external DAC, even the one in the NDX.

Bud

The only time I have to myself is late at night.

Bud

I needed more than a Nait, I needed an LP-12 (source first).

Bud

People spend their money on different things.  Spending it on the enjoyment of music seems to me to be a good thing.  I remember an audio dealer asking me what better I could spend money on than music and I had no answer, still don't. 

 

Bud

I feel you 100 % Bud!!!!!

To add that, there's nothing like first hand experience, especially in the hi fi arena..

I would say you know Bryston, and probably Naim by now!

Yes I hear that a Cdx2.2/Ndac, with a 555PS DR is Nearly on Par with an 555CD. 

But I'm sick and having a full blown Active System in the Past, 

<Karin /  Linn XO with Bingo Card / Dirak PS / 3 LK 280's / Briks >  I just wanted to here what Briks sound like with Naim Amps,  Not Bad so far!  Richer, Punchier!  

But I won't quit until Snaxo 362, SuperCap, And Burndy Arrives.  The Second market has been kind though. Hence, I settled for the Cdx2, which can be rigged down the road with an digital out, but not before an Full Blown Active Naim Brik System!

Now get out and buy some music Bud!

Out!