Better source for SN2

If streaming also comes into your plans for the future why not kill 2 birds with one stone?

An NDX would act as a new source and an upgrade as a DAC for the CD5xs

If I well understood you mean to add an NDX and use it also the internal DAC connected to the CD transport of CD5XS? I imagine that internal DAC of NDX is better than CD5XS.

ND also adds the ability to control the Nait and CD from iPad/iPhone.  Naim DAC does not.  You can always try the nDAC later.  Nick

Whether the actual DAC chip is better or not is not the whole story. The NDX contains very accomplished DSP stage and analogue output stage putting it, as a source, quite a bit ahead of a CD5xs. 

The only way you can know if it really translates into an upgrade for the CD5xs is to try it though. The desire to adopt streaming would need to be more than a passing fancy though. An NDX costs considerably more than an nDAC and as a DAC, the nDAC is superior.

I would be surprised if the NDX was not a big improvement, but don't quote me on that.

As an alternative option that takes up less space and sounds better put a Hugo between the CD5xs and Supernait 2.  You can add a streamer of your choice at a later date if you want to and it will sound superb.

Another option is to get Ndac to upgrade the cdp and save up for a unitiserve and have it connected to the Ndac by a digital bnc cable.  

The quality of the Ndac will negate the removal of your dual TC from the SN2 I'm sure.

But ..... much of the character of the CDP comes from its innards including its DAC, analogue stage, DSP you name it - .. and one of the things I have discovered with my journey with Naim is replacing that with a NDAC will loose a lot of that character and colour of that component - so you might at least want to have options for either....

Thank you guys for your reply.

Finally I think that option are two, NDAC or NDX streamer but anyway I should keep also my CD5XS. another possibility could be a less expensive DAC. NDX could be the best option but I can't afford now. What about a S/H HDX with the selling of my CD5XS?

Yes the old HDX has its many admirers, much like the CDX2 as a solution that has its own flavour.

As a value proposition you can pick up used nDac's for a veritable bargain right now - I did just that earlier this week, 35% of new price. My CD5XS was also cheaply procured last Fall. 

I've owned a Uniti / 172XS, but really didn't get on with the whole streaming thing. Both products, however, were excellent at what they do and their respective price points. 

If you have the shelf space I think adding the nDac vs. swapping the CDX2 for your 5XS makes the most sense, and if you search this forum extensively, you'll find more people preferring the 5XS/nDac combo vs the X2. 

having had and currently own a NDAC and CDX2, I would say the two have quite distinct and different characters. The CDX2 is rather special though - so perhaps I am biased, The CDX2 is more 'resonant' in its appeal - what it does well - it does incredibly well - but outside of the sweetspot there are plenty of other solutions out there..

Simon

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

having had and currently own a NDAC and CDX2, I would say the two have quite distinct and different characters. The CDX2 is rather special though - so perhaps I am biased, The CDX2 is more 'resonant' in its appeal - what it does well - it does incredibly well - but outside of the sweetspot there are plenty of other solutions out there..

Simon

I have been enjoying your recent appreciation for your Cdx2 the last few so so's . Only having myself the Ndac to provide Naimness in my system, I'm increasingly tempted to look out for one . Since your an espouse for the qualities on PRaT you probably have same ears as me. Though you have said that it's more down to synergy with your 252... What luck might I have with it ?

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

having had and currently own a NDAC and CDX2, I would say the two have quite distinct and different characters. The CDX2 is rather special though - so perhaps I am biased, The CDX2 is more 'resonant' in its appeal - what it does well - it does incredibly well - but outside of the sweetspot there are plenty of other solutions out there..

Simon

As a matter of interest Simon, what is its sweet spot?

For me its heavy rock, heavy blues - oh yes - and for same strange reason many of Bob Dylan's albums as well

TOBYJUG posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

having had and currently own a NDAC and CDX2, I would say the two have quite distinct and different characters. The CDX2 is rather special though - so perhaps I am biased, The CDX2 is more 'resonant' in its appeal - what it does well - it does incredibly well - but outside of the sweetspot there are plenty of other solutions out there..

Simon

I have been enjoying your recent appreciation for your Cdx2 the last few so so's . Only having myself the Ndac to provide Naimness in my system, I'm increasingly tempted to look out for one . Since your an espouse for the qualities on PRaT you probably have same ears as me. Though you have said that it's more down to synergy with your 252... What luck might I have with it ?

give it a go :-)

The 252 does seem to go well with it . I also put the CDX2 on full fat Fraim with a Hiline but normal Naim powerlead.

S

The most cheap solution may be a s/h NDAC that allow me to maintain also the CD5XS and DTC but in it'is not easy to find an NDAC at a right price and a new one is priced very very high (retail list in italy is 3900€)

Hi guys,

I just found a s/h CDX2.2 and I'm tempted to buy it to replace my CD5XS. May be a good step forward? I'm not interested in network streamer but only to quality sound improvement of my CDs collection.

IMO, yes. Amp and source will be in line.

Chris

I'm waiting the availability of the s/h CDX2.2 from the dealer because he told me that he was dealing with another customer.

I cross my fingers 

I just received the confirmation that the s/h CDX2.2 is available. I read a lot of opinion about CDX2.2 and a lot of people claim about its harshness. Can you tell me something about it.

Actually I find my CD5XS too much smooth in my system (SN2+Kudos C20). Can be the CDX2.2 a solution?

When it comes in will your dealer allow you to borrow it for, say, 72 hours? That way you'll be able to form your own opinion about what it's got over the CD5XS, with your SN2.

C.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

having had and currently own a NDAC and CDX2, I would say the two have quite distinct and different characters. The CDX2 is rather special though - so perhaps I am biased, The CDX2 is more 'resonant' in its appeal - what it does well - it does incredibly well - but outside of the sweetspot there are plenty of other solutions out there..

Simon

Simon, is your cdp with an external PS?

Regards. Erich

If you are definitely not interested in streaming grab the CDX2.2 while you can. You will need to learn to listen to it as a whole new level of information will be presented to your system and your ears. This can take some getting used to but in the end you will be well pleased.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

For me its heavy rock, heavy blues - oh yes - and for same strange reason many of Bob Dylan's albums as well

I agree entirely, I had a bare cdx2 on a HC SUpernait and it did rock brilliantly. Very punchy with solid controlled bass. I'm also a Jazz fan and found that the cdx2 didn't do Jazz quite so well. Now running a 272 into a 250DR and I would say it is the reverse of the above.

Erich posted:

Simon, is your cdp with an external PS?

No - its standard bare CDX2 on a Fram shelf and a Hiline interconnect.

To DAMY79 - if the CDX2.2 is sounding harsh something is clearly very wrong with it - for me it tends to lean the other way and smooth out some of the detail - but in its own attractive way. I wonder if they have taken the suspension retaining bolt out of the player before use?

S