Upgrade choice - XP5 XS or Supercap?

Posted by: eagle3333 on 12 February 2016

Folks in the know, can you comment on which would make the most pronounced upgrade in terms of detail, but not at the expense of soundstage, to my ND5/282/250/Spendor SB2 set-up - a) replacing the Hi cap with Supercap or b) putting an XP5 (or XPS) on the ND5? I play a fair bit of vinyl (well tempered simplex) too so a SC makes more sense in that respect; but my choice will be informed by which produces the most revealing SQ at the end of the day. Hope I haven't repeated a previous, but couldn't see it.  

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Adam Zielinski

+1 to HH and Mike-B.

DR amps were intorduced only last year. So what happened before that? Black void, with horrible sounding NDX and 250? I don't think so....

I still stand by my initial recommendation: NDX + good interconnect.

Once it settles down, try XPS and see if you like it. General opinion is that it helps NDX. But... Some like it without the additional PSU.

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Get the NDX now. Second hand 250 DRs are starting to appear now, but too early for real bargains to be had. 

Who knows - you might be lucky and some money may come your way, so you don't have to wait too long....

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by gary yeowell

Everything before DR was rubbish! oh hold on, DR is so last week, actually Holden and Fisher is where it's at.....

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by hungryhalibut

Golly, you've got your skates on! Fingers crossed that you are a happy bunny once it's arrived. 

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Adam Zielinski

For now - just sell your ND5 XS and keep the kid

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Hmack

Or perhaps keep the ND5XS and buy a nice shiny little DAC?

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Nic Chan

Just curious... Adding the NAIM DAC to this and add PSU to the DAC in the future will that give a better sound? Since the DAC is 555 equivalent chip?

Posted on: 13 February 2016 by Adam Zielinski
Nic Chan posted:

Just curious... Adding the NAIM DAC to this and add PSU to the DAC in the future will that give a better sound? Since the DAC is 555 equivalent chip?

'Unfortunately' it does

Currently running that setup with an XPS (i.e. NDX > nDAC via DC1 + XPS DR > SuperNait 2). DIN inteconnect: TQ Black Diamond.
NDX still sounds better than ND5XS, even via a digital out.