NDS - Just a beefed-up hard disk?

The NDS to me is like the CDS3 before at the very pinnacle of digital replay.  For somebody that runs the latter with a 282 I'd say if you want to exploit digital go for it. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Getting on for £10,000 is an awful lot of money to spend just to listen to Tidal, which sounds a bit ropey at the best of times. I'd be inclined to go with an NDX and grow from there if needs be, or just stick with the Uniti as streaming source, though 80% of it is redundant in that role. 

Wow!  I'm with HH on this one, that's a lot of cash! 

But the question that I was after, the difference between The NDS's dac section and Ndac! 

And of Course, there is no substitute for hands on experience, which I haven't had, but that's what I like about the Forum, Individuals like HH, and Mr. Richard Dane has had experience, and can share there experiences with those that haven't, and don't have access towards those experiences. 

""RICHARD DANEADMINISTRATOR

1/18/1610:10 AM

MDFdude posted:

 so nDAC = NDS DAC section ?

Yes, and no...  

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage.  The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards.  ""

MLSB = mass loaded suspended boards

Similar = < ~ > 

So it appears that: 

NDS ~ NDX + 555PS DR + MLSB

After Mr Richard Dane pointed out the difference between the Dac sections, When I’m ready to make the move towards the Streaming world, I tend to agree with HH! 

Ndx > Ndac > 555PS DR 

Allante93! 

On next-week's programme:  "Super-Lumina cables - just beefed up bailing twine?"

Bart posted:

On next-week's programme:  "Super-Lumina cables - just beefed up bailing twine?"

Thank you all for your contribution and advice. Much appreciated. Even Adam's. 

Allante93 posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Getting on for £10,000 is an awful lot of money to spend just to listen to Tidal, which sounds a bit ropey at the best of times. I'd be inclined to go with an NDX and grow from there if needs be, or just stick with the Uniti as streaming source, though 80% of it is redundant in that role. 

Wow!  I'm with HH on this one, that's a lot of cash! 

But the question that I was after, the difference between The NDS's dac section and Ndac! 

And of Course, there is no substitute for hands on experience, which I haven't had, but that's what I like about the Forum, Individuals like HH, and Mr. Richard Dane has had experience, and can share there experiences with those that haven't, and don't have access towards those experiences. 

""RICHARD DANEADMINISTRATOR

1/18/1610:10 AM

MDFdude posted:

 so nDAC = NDS DAC section ?

Yes, and no...  

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage.  The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards.  ""

 

MLSB = mass loaded suspended boards

Similar = < ~ > 

So it appears that: 

NDS ~ NDX + 555PS DR + MLSB

After Mr Richard Dane pointed out the difference between the Dac sections, When I’m ready to make the move towards the Streaming world, I tend to agree with HH! 

Ndx > Ndac > 555PS DR 

Allante93! 

 

I was using the ndx>ndac>555dr when I tried the nds. The difference in my system was huge. The nds was far more analog sounding and sounded totally effortless. The ndx combo was superb but the nds was really in another league, it just sounded so "right". Needless to say I bought it and have been enjoying it for the past two years.

Mr Happy posted:

Allante93 posted:

 

But the question that I was after, the difference between The NDS's dac section and Ndac! 

And of Course, there is no substitute for hands on experience, which I haven't had, but that's what I like about the Forum, Individuals like HH, and Mr. Richard Dane has had experience, and can share there experiences with those that haven't, and don't have access towards those experiences. 

""RICHARD DANEADMINISTRATOR

1/18/1610:10 AM

MDFdude posted:

 so nDAC = NDS DAC section ?

Yes, and no...  

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage.  The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards.  ""

I was using the ndx>ndac>555dr when I tried the nds. The difference in my system was huge. The nds was far more analog sounding and sounded totally effortless. The ndx combo was superb but the nds was really in another league, it just sounded so "right". Needless to say I bought it and have been enjoying it for the past two years.

As I pointed out Mr. Happy, there is no substitute for hands-on experience. You and Mr Richard Dane agrees that the NDS goes farther.

I take it,  in your particular case a whole lot farther. The internal power supply was taken out of the equation with your 555 DR.

Hence, the huge difference that your ears heard  was probably due to your personal set-up and the MLSB's located within the NDS.

Once Again, it shows there's no substitute for hands-on experience!

Thanks Mr. Happy!

Allante93!

Allante93 posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Getting on for £10,000 is an awful lot of money to spend just to listen to Tidal, which sounds a bit ropey at the best of times. I'd be inclined to go with an NDX and grow from there if needs be, or just stick with the Uniti as streaming source, though 80% of it is redundant in that role. 

Wow!  I'm with HH on this one, that's a lot of cash! 

But the question that I was after, the difference between The NDS's dac section and Ndac! 

And of Course, there is no substitute for hands on experience, which I haven't had, but that's what I like about the Forum, Individuals like HH, and Mr. Richard Dane has had experience, and can share there experiences with those that haven't, and don't have access towards those experiences. 

""RICHARD DANEADMINISTRATOR

1/18/1610:10 AM

MDFdude posted:

 so nDAC = NDS DAC section ?

Yes, and no...  

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage.  The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards.  ""

 

MLSB = mass loaded suspended boards

Similar = < ~ > 

So it appears that: 

NDS ~ NDX + 555PS DR + MLSB

After Mr Richard Dane pointed out the difference between the Dac sections, When I’m ready to make the move towards the Streaming world, I tend to agree with HH! 

Ndx > Ndac > 555PS DR 

Allante93! 

 

Alliance I like this equation that you have come up with

NDS ~ NDX + 555PS DR + MLSB

But no that is not what the NDS is about at all.

It is where the Naim science and art blend and turn into musical magic.

When you hear one, you will understand what I mean.

Music cannot sometimes be reduced to equations 

analogmusic posted

 

Alliante93, I like this equation that you have come up with

NDS ~ NDX + 555PS DR + MLSB

But no that is not what the NDS is about at all.

It is where the Naim science and art blend and turn into musical magic.

When you hear one, you will understand what I mean.

Music cannot sometimes be reduced to equations 

You are correct, Analog! Perhaps one day I will understand when I hear the Naim art and Science.

 But it's not about me!

Mr Richard Dane was responding to MDF's question/equation.

""RICHARD DANEADMINISTRATOR

1/18/16 10:10 AM

MDFdude posted:

 so nDAC = NDS DAC section ?

Yes, and no...  

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage.  The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards""

MLSB = mass loaded suspended boards

Thanks to Mr. Richard Dane, we now know what is shared between the Ndac & the NDS's dac section!

And guess what, the vast majority agrees this difference makes the 10K NDS sound better!

Don't worry about equations, just enjoy your music!

Alliance, oh Allante93!

nigelb posted:

Wow, Tony, there you go you must have a NDS AND a 555DR (yes, I forgot to mention the NDS needs a power supply).

Seriously this combo is around £9k second hand and £13k new. You should really listen to the NDX first (without a power supply) which you can pick up one for around £2.5 to £3k second hand. See if you can hear the difference in your system between the NDX and the Uniti. Tidal will be fine for this demo to save you setting up a NAS. If you can't hear an improvement (that is worth the money to you) then don't even bother with a NDS, it would never offer VFM.

If you like the NDX, get it and also set up a NAS as its server (only around £300). You can then demo a power supply for the NDX later, or even an NDS if you think it is worth it.

+1 sounds like good advice!

Allante93!

Tony2011 posted:

Thank you all for your contribution and advice. Much appreciated. Even Adam's. 

 

Doesn't the NDS turn the flat earth around ? Taking source first principles in its DAC section in regard to the Ndac. The digital bit in the NDS is not as elaborate as the Ndac - who's analogue section is not a patch of that from the NDS.

The best solution is to use NDX+nDAC+XPS and separately NDS+555PS.

Not in the same system of course

TOBYJUG posted:

Doesn't the NDS turn the flat earth around ? Taking source first principles in its DAC section in regard to the Ndac. The digital bit in the NDS is not as elaborate as the Ndac - who's analogue section is not a patch of that from the NDS.

""Yes, and no...

much is shared, such as the selected Burr Brown PCM1704K DAC chips, 40bit Sharc processor etc.. and both have a fully discrete analogue output stage. The NDS goes further with no internal PSU and the mass loaded suspended boards. ""

NDX>NDAC>555PS DR VS  NDS>555PS DR

Just from an information pt of view, TOBY, How would you compare the analogue section between the NDX and NDS?

I think I'm missing something hear, does the NDX still need an separate power supply assuming the 555PS is powering the NDAC?

Allante93!