cd2x + xps or nd5xs + hugo?

The Hugo is a huge improvement vs the ND5.  It will cost you about 20% of a New XPS.  I wouldn't waste money adding a power supply to a ND5.

i meant which will be a better source cd2x+xps vs nd5xs+hugo? considering the money spent off course..

If you can afford an XPS, I would consider spending the money on an NDX instead. Then consider using cash from the sale of your ND5 on a Hugo if you can get a dem, and you like what it does.

Emre posted:

i meant which will be a better source cd2x+xps vs nd5xs+hugo? considering the money spent off course..

I think that would boil down to personal preference.  You have stated a preference for the streamer.  Why no sell the cd2x + ND5 and buy a NDX.  [The bare NDX is a huge upgrade vs bare ND5.] That would cost you very little in terms of money.  At that point you could focus on the relative merits of XPS vs a third party DAC like Hugo.  The main issue is that the ND5 really has no business in your new system.  Even in my "lowly" SN2 system the ND5 was a significant bottleneck. 

Kevin's suggested way forward is a good one. A more radical alternative it to sell the lot and get a 272/250DR, and add an XPS DR if you fancy one. Three boxes instead of seven or eight.

272/250/xps route is always a better one because of the box count but how will you compare it vs 282/252/2Hicap/Napsac ? 

Also another question, will it make sense to invest in NDX in case that i am going to use it with a Hugo, is there going to be noticeable difference in NDX+Hugo vs ND5XS+Hugo?  

If your cdx2 is connected at the same time as your streamer via analog interconnects to your 202 then set the nd5 grounding switch to floating 

the sound quality of the whole system will improve. Naim preamps only expect to have one grounded source which is the Naim CD player by default.

You need to check this carefully before making any buy and sell decisions.

If anything I would keep the ND5 and maybe try out an external DAC, but you may find that the DAC inside the ND5 is already pretty good.

Or as HH says sell the 202/HCDR, ND5 and maybe even the CD player and buy a 272.

i am surprised that many people suggesting 272+XPS vs 282+ND5XS+Hugo

Emre posted:

272/250/xps route is always a better one because of the box count but how will you compare it vs 282/252/2Hicap/Napsac ? 

Also another question, will it make sense to invest in NDX in case that i am going to use it with a Hugo, is there going to be noticeable difference in NDX+Hugo vs ND5XS+Hugo?  

In my experience yes, the NDX is a better source for Hugo...but also in my experience the recent firmware updates to NDX (&NDAC) position the Naim sources (with XPS in my case) close enough to Hugo to go for an all Naim system. 

G

Emre posted:

i am surprised that many people suggesting 272+XPS vs 282+ND5XS+Hugo

Not me 

The 272 is very good, but personally I wouldn't choose it over NDX/pre/power, even if you're keen to keep the box count low. Of course, there is no right or wrong answer, you need to use your own ears to choose.

The CDX2 and Hugo probably couldn't be more different in presentation and you really need to listen in your system. I use both in my system and use the CDX2 when I want to have a heavy blues or rock listening session with friends and a drink or three.. The Hugo for all other times and immersive listening sessions with my musical buddies, and quite frankly I still think provides an outstanding land mark performance.

The CDX2 has that live pub amplified  music feel to its presentation... and I use an NDX as my streamer transport  (amongst other things) for my Hugo.

These differences and ability to appreciate the stanalone CDX2 like I do came when I upgraded to a 252DR... I got on less well with the CDX2 with my 282 and with the lesser NAC and I felt the CDX2 needed an XPS2.. This XPS2 simply was not necessary to my ears to enjoy the CDX2 when I upgraded to the 252.

Simon

I don't suggest that the 272 route is best, simply that it's an alternative. If you don't go that route, I would definitely get an NDX, and I definitely would not get a second Hicap, which is a waste of time with the 282. I'd also consider whether I really wanted a CD player as well as a streamer. 

There are differences between all these systems, but they are not that great in reality. NDX/XPS with 282/Hicap/250 would be good, and you could try a Hugo instead of the XPS and see which you prefer. Alternatively, the 272 route is very nearly as good for a lot less, and once you've got it home you'll never remember the difference. 

Emre posted:

272/250/xps route is always a better one because of the box count but how will you compare it vs 282/252/2Hicap/Napsac ? 

Also another question, will it make sense to invest in NDX in case that i am going to use it with a Hugo, is there going to be noticeable difference in NDX+Hugo vs ND5XS+Hugo?  

Just picking up on your second question...I don't see why anyone would buy an NDX then send the digital signal to an outboard DAC.  It makes no sense to me unless you have money to burn.

The digital output from the NDX is surely the same as the digital output from the ND5XS (or UQ).  Any slight difference, perhaps a minutely higher jitter figure, would be corrected by the Hugo.

I definitely want to keep my cd player, i still buy CDs and i have many of them, as a classical listener as well among other genres i find the new boxes are great value for timeless music. 

So the streamer as a transport was my point also, nd5xs+hugo vs ndx+xps also considering that i have to invest only 1400£ to hugo  vs 6000£ for NDX+XPS even if i sell ND5. Also i am keen headphone user, which is big + for Hugo, i have HD800/LCD2/SONY Z7.

But now the 272/XPS is on my mind as well vs 282/250/2 Hicap, which will be a far more economical alternative but than is it worth to upgrade form my 200s? 

actual : 

202/200/HICAPDR/Napsac/CD2X/ND5XS

Best Value alternative ( is it an upgrade form the set above ? ) 

 1 . 272/XPS/250/CD2X  

Separates CD focused

2.  282/250/2HICAP//CD2X/XPS/ND5XS

Hugo 

3. 282/250/2HICAP/CD2X/ND5XS/HUGO

Streamer Naim Upgrade

4. 282/250/2HICAP/CD2X/NDX/XPS

Streamer Naim Upgrade+Hugo ( which i don't see the point of NDX as a transport only)

5.282/250/2HICAP/CD2X/NDX/HUGO

I can not listen all of this or demo them in my home unfortunately......  I trust your experienced ears and tests/demos....

thank you all

You can eliminate 2 and 3 because the ND5 has no place in a 282/250 setup. That gives three alternatives. And forget that second Hicap, you don't need it. 

As to whether 1 is an upgrade on the existing the answer is yes, massively so. 

I agree no second hicap needed.

The only reason to keep the ND5 is to feed an external DAC in a 282/250 set up.

I have a 282HCDR/250DR set up and the amplification is very revealing, so it really needs high quality sources.

at this level one starts to think about getting sources that can keep up with the amplifier.

My lowly project turntable doesn't sound particularly good with 282/HCDR/250DR  (but sounds ok with 202/200), but the Chord Hugo is very good (it walks all over the turntable)

Still a 272/250DR is 2 boxes, or maybe 3 with an XPSDR and it is one amazing system , all the Naim you could ever need for a lifetime.

Then you need to judge between 1 and 4/5. 4/5 will cost about £5,000 to £6,000 more and you need to take a view on whether it is worth it. Then there's the issue of Powerlines: option 1 needs 2 or 3,  option 4 needs a lot more. Extra shelves? Hilines? You need to consider the whole equation and decide what's best for you. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

You can eliminate 2 and 3 because the ND5 has no place in a 282/250 setup. That gives three alternatives. And forget that second Hicap, you don't need it. 

As to whether 1 is an upgrade on the existing the answer is yes, massively so. 

Will the option 3 with Hugo make up the difference of NDX/XPS as a source?  

So in your experience/opinion the 272/XPS vs 200s/Hicap is a massive upgrade?  

272/XPS/250 route is far more economical than 282/250/HICAP/NDX/XPS....

so the question is 282 vs 272 as a pre and NDX/XPS - ND5XS/HUGO vs 272/XPS as a source... 

I love this about Naim... it is fun game to too much money and lego it

If it were my decision i would demo a NDAC vs hugo keeping both sources as they are into your chosen 282/250 combo.  you have the option later of a 555 on the NDAC which is spine tingling to my ears.  There's usually a decent supply of pre loved NDACs around at comparable prices to a hugo which could keep expenditure low

Nagual posted:

If it were my decision i would demo a NDAC vs hugo keeping both sources as they are into your chosen 282/250 combo.  you have the option later of a 555 on the NDAC which is spine tingling to my ears.  There's usually a decent supply of pre loved NDACs around at comparable prices to a hugo which could keep expenditure low

i am in Turkey so not many NDAC around, i can use Hugo as headphone amp as well.....

ah fair enough.  I haven't heard a Hugo but it has many fans, ticks a lot of boxes for you and - I assume - could take a feed from the CDP and the ND5XS and make them both sparkle, no PS required

Remember that while the Hugo will improve your sex life, take three inches off your waist, turn a sandwich into a banquet and ensure world peace, it will not make an ND5xs sound as good as an NDX. 

ha! thats me done! im getting 2 Hugos!! 

Or get a chord mojo to boost you know what 

Well XPS completely transforms the CDX2 but if streaming is your preference I'd forget it.  If you're eventual aim is 282/250DR (incidentally forget 2 HCs if you don't aspire to SC one HC is fine) then I'd aim for NDX/XPS but the Halibut does offer a viable alternative in 272/xps/250.  Equally a Hugo is obviously possible and you'll really need to demo the options.

Regards,

Lindsay