Impact of extra PSU for ND5XS in combination with nDac with XPS2?

Posted by: Santi on 12 December 2015

Hi,

I am using a ND5XS streamer in combination with a nDac + XPS 2. I was wondering if an additional power supply for the ND5XS streamer would/could  bring any improvement? Has somebody ever tried out this maybe strange combination?

Santi

 

 

Posted on: 13 December 2015 by GraemeH

No, it would be a waste of money. Better to upgrade to an NDX or 555PS on NDAC.

G

Posted on: 13 December 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I agree with Graeme above. You would hear a difference using an ext PSU with the ND5XS, but you will get better improvements for your money elsewhere.

Simon

Posted on: 13 December 2015 by Mike-B

+1 for both the above;   A PSU on a bare ND series does bring tangible benefits,  but add a DAC & a significant section of the ND circuitry becomes unused & the PSU is more or less redundant.    

Posted on: 13 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

MDS uses a power supply on his (I think) NDX as well as using a dac and thinks the difference is worthwhile. That said, a four box source sounds OTT to me, and I'd be looking at an NDX instead of the ND5. 

Posted on: 13 December 2015 by Mike-B
Hi HH,  yes I read that post & it got me wondering at the time.  I was intending to find out what circuits/sections each of the XPS voltage rails supplies to NDX.   I know what XPS does with the CD players,  but could not find the info on the ND units.   I might forgo the after lunch hour of darkness this afternoon & give it an other go.
 
On the CDP's taking the digital out to an outboard DAC,  the XPS only powers the CD drive control & panel lights.  The rest - clock & servo processor, DAC, Op Amps, I/V converter & filters are - although still powered -  no longer used.    I suspect its something similar with the ND units.