Naim confusion on liquid music

The Unitiserve is the weakest player in the row and I suspect that the Ndac wouldn't give it the boost to arrive at the NDX+XPS level which is close (but not equal) to the NDS in many listening situations.

Personally I would prefer the NDX and sell the XPS and NDAC to achieve the cash to buy an XPSDR for the NDX. This combination (NDX+XPSDR) with a good Pre (252 for example) is a wonderful solution: very detailed, warm and engaging. Also the SN2 that you already own is a good amp for the NDX+XPSDR. 

To store and serve the files, if you already have the US is more than good, otherwise don't waste money and choose a QNAP NAS and install Minimserver and Assetnas on it.

Other member of this forum will suggest you to put the Hugo DAC in the equation but personally I disagree because you partially loose the typical Naim bass and PRAT.

P.S. I own a "bare" NDX combined with a NAC252 and a NAP 300 and I can assure you that the bare NDX has a very natural and engaging sound.

Do you think that Ndac not is a upgrade for NDX?

Is DAC inside NDX good same Ndac stand alone?

And what do you think for HDX+XPSDR instead of NDX+XPSDR + NAS?

Is DAC inside HDX good same Ndac or Dac inside NDX?                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Do you think that Ndac not is a upgrade for NDX? 

Is DAC inside NDX good same Ndac stand alone?

I do not think a nDAC is an upgrade unless powered by XPS or better a 555PS,  then it does sound a good improvement,  but at a much higher cost & the law of diminishing returns applies.  

I do not believe the nDAC is better than the NDX DAC plus the nDAC needs to play catch up to units like Hugo & 2Qute 

And what do you think for HDX+XPSDR instead of NDX+XPSDR + NAS?

Is DAC inside HDX good same Ndac or Dac inside NDX?

HDX is old tech & personally I do not see it continuing in the range long term.  

Indeed. The DAC chipset in the nDAC is superior to the NDX but on it's own is not an upgrade since there is more to this than the quality of the DAC chips.

NDX/XPSdr is an incredible combination. Some find that to get more from this with an nDAC the XPSdr should be on the nDAC rather than the NDX (nearly no benefot to putting an external PSU on the streamer when just used as a digital transport) which is correct. The caveat is that, clarity aside, the nDAC is voiced quite different from the NDX so a demo to confirm that is the sound you are looking for is important. Many have commented that the NDX simply doesn't sound like a digital source and this has been mentioned as both a plus and a minus depending on who was commenting about it. Since you already have an nDAC, I personally wouldn't bother with an NDX or even ND5XS if I was just going to use those as a transport. Seems like a waste of money.

IMO, I would first demo the NDX/XPSdr combination. It may or may not be what you are looking for sound-wise. If you like it, then you can consider whether the NDX is the only DAC you need and whether to keep the nDAC or not. May be inferior to the nDAC as a pure DAC but it's other charms may be compelling.

If it isn't doing it for you, then inserting your nDAC into the the NDX/XPSdr mix may deliver but, as I said, seems counterintuitive. I might be inclined to then look at the NDS instead. May be a lot of money but you can run it off the XPS you have and it should comfortably outperform the nDAC/XPS combo. Second hand ones are not unheard of either.

After careful analysis (and headaches) I would have decided to Naim NDS.

I can give back my CD5XS (cd player), my Naim DAC and a cable Naim Powerline (I do not need more connection with Powerline to CD5XS and Naim DAC).

I read different opinions and it seems that the NDS has a better DAC than NDAC.

Also I already have a XPS DR and I would use it to power the Naim NDS.

I made the right choice? What do you think?

For transport can I use a normal external USB Hard Disk or what you recommend? Nas ?

Can I use Naim App for USB hard drive too or not ?

Can you suggest me a NAS for NDS?

If you can hear a difference between USB & NAS (LAN),  then you need to improve the LAN.  This is not the NAS or its UPnP server software;  you need to focus on the LAN, it means no wireless or EoP connections.  You need all ethernet to optimise a streaming system, a good quality router that the LAN is centred on,   or far better a simple unmanaged LAN switch that is the LAN centre point & the router a branch off that.

Regarding the NAS: I am very satisfied with the Qnap HS-251 (which is fanless and therefore can be placed also in the listening room) with 2 Red HDD's in Raid 1. As server software I have installed Minimserver, DbAssetnas and Twonky. I can only suggest this combination which is solid, affordable and easy to use.

William, I made a very similar choice, trading my Naim Dac towards an NDS.

The best was to "feed" music to the NDS will be with a UPnP server (running on a nas, such as QNAP or Synology), with an ethernet cable connection from your home network to the NDS.

Two popular UPnP server programs are Asset (runs on QNAP) and Minim Server (runs on QNAP and Synology).

Can you run an ethernet cable from your home network switch to the NDS?  That will be far more reliable than wifi (generally).

Hi, the NDAC and NDS have the same DAC chips as each other (Texas Instruments PCM 1704K's) , however the design in powersupplies and perhaps the analogue stages are a little different. In addition the DSP supporting chipset architecture is slightly different, although I understand the algorithms the same. However there is a lot more to the sound of a DAC than the Converter chips themselves.

Thanks to this forum and your valuable advice I have decided to buy a NDS and selling my Naim CD5XS and Naim DAC!

all in 24 hours, you're even giving Kiefer a run for hi money.

SJB

Good luck William, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I love mine.

Veeeeeery good decision William101: you will enjoy every piece of music you will throw on your NDS ! 

William - I have just gone from NDX to NDS. I think you are going to love it.

Happly listening! 

I ordered Naim and NDS Proac D48R.

I will use Naim XPS DR for Naim NDS.

I already have Naim Supernait 2 + Hicap.

I will buy a NAS upnp.

I wanted some advice from those who already have NDS.

What do you use to navigate between the covers of the CD (or Hi Res files)?

What is the easiest way to surfing in NAS between songs?

Use an Ipad?

Use an Iphone?

Use a Macbook pro?

Or?

I have a Macbook Pro available that do not use at the time.

I started by using an iPod (back in the days of the nStream app) but I found it too small to easily navigate between albums/songs particularly as your music library grows. The graphics are also limited on this device back then - maybe not the case now with the Naim App. I now use an iPad and suspect many (most?) others do.

Congratulations on your wonderful purchase, and I wish you many hours of listening pleasure. 

Ok ..... 

so the best way is to use Ipad with Naim App and a NAS

Yes, get an iPad. 

iPad is way more satisfying than iPhone for the Naim App, simply because with more screen real estate there is more to see; better functionality.  I am lazy and use my iPhone 99% of the time, but when I pick up the iPad I question why I'm so lazy.

+1

+1 for tablet

-1 for iPad

Get an Android tablet - a LOT cheaper and works just as well with NAIM streaming.