Naim XP5-XS or CD5XS

The ND5xs and CD5xs are about equal, both without power supplies. Note that Tidal does not sound as good as CD rips, and if you like ECM I suspect a lot of stuff you like is not there. I suggest you get a nas and rip your CDs to it. You could also download ECM in 24bit, which sound fantastic. If you are thinking of upgrades, you'd be best to get to your dealer and try some options out. For example, an NDX is a great alternative to adding a power supply to your existing streamer. 

You'd benefit either from a flatcap XS2 or XP5 XS.

I'd do both ,in that order. As for the ECM albums you already have the answers you need.

Both indeed are very good sources with the CD5 XS having a slight edge IMHO. Hook them first to the nDAC - no need for FlatCap or XP5 on ND5, eventually add a PSU on the nDAC only and you will be playing in the high end league still with very reasonable funding. 

Chag -

IMO, the ND5 XS and CD5XS (both bare) are so similar in overall ability that some people will have a slight preference for one, some a slight preference for the other.

ND5 XS +XP5 XS is significantly better than the CD5X.

Most people think a Flatcap will improve the Nait XS, but there are some dissenters (in my experience with a Nait XS 2, an external pre-amp PSU does improve it).

When I used to have the original nait5 , the very first time I plugged the flatcap2 it was soon evident the change in sound, punch disappeared and sound got somewhat 'thinner'. But, after the very first impression, one realizes sound improves in almost any possible way .Unplugging it, showed the lazier and not so accurate sonic picture of the unit without PSU. 

On their own amps sound good but with PSU they do it much better. One should ALWAYS remember  it when dealing with Naim as those integrated turn into,or rather act  as pre/power combo and feeding the preamp section results in a massive upgrade. 

As For source I wouldn't advice at all to match the nDAC , it's really changeling in that XS context , again, the PSU is a real improvement here with no minus.

The CD5 XS and nDAC were optimized also to work together before they both were released in 2009, hence the obvious and natural fit.

Chag - 

Chag... posted:

The CD5 XS and nDAC were optimized also to work together before they both were released in 2009, hence the obvious and natural fit.

Chag - 

Difficult to see the relevance as the OP has neither of them!

 

Difficult to see the relevance as the OP has neither of them!

Opening question is on musical quality a CD5XS brings related to ND5-XS with XP5-XS. Point is both sources really call for nDAC before a PSU.

Chag -

Chag... posted:

 

Difficult to see the relevance as the OP has neither of them!

Opening question is on musical quality a CD5XS brings related to ND5-XS with XP5-XS. Point is both sources really call for nDAC before a PSU.

Chag -

Or other DAC. Iwasn't impressed with XP5XS on ND5XS: very marginal improvement, so I sold it for a Hugo: big improvement, and no looking back.  No experience as to whether same applies to CD5XS, but expectationis that it would.

Chag... posted:

The CD5 XS and nDAC were optimized also to work together before they both were released in 2009, hence the obvious and natural fit.

Chag - 

true,  a very worthwhile upgrade to CD5XS and  CDX2.2 transports . And still think much better than the matching PSU.

But, doesn't really make sense  to me with NaitXS.

nDAC on to Nait XS makes sense. It did to me on 122x:FC2x/150x. Pushing 555PS or even XPS on nDAC indeed would call for upgrading first to SN2 if not to 282/250 level.

Chag - 

Thank you all for the advice and comments. I looked into the high resolution files and my first step will be to get a source. Those ECM records are important to me and not everything is available or still available on vinyl. So first choice will be CD5XS or UnitiServe.  In a later phase I'll look to which component I'll add a power supply. 

Mark, why do you need either? You don't need to spend over £2,000. You have a lovely streamer in the ND5. All you need is a £400 nas, then you can rip your CDs to it, and use it to store high res downloads too. Does that make sense?

Hi, yes that makes sense, the initial question comes from the fact that I feel I don't need that much more except the ability to play some CD (mainly ECM and ECM new series) and some other classical music) 3400 Euro is alot for that alone.  Apart from that I am indeed very happy with the ND5. I'll take your advice and look into alternative NAS servers, I am completely ignorant on how it works but will get some information and advice. Thanks. 

There are lots of people on here who can help you. So long as you have a computer with a CD drive you are good to go. For what it's worth, we use a Qnap TS253A and it's really easy to set up. You can run Asset on it, which is probably the easiest option to use. You'll also be able to download high res files, which sound excellent. It does sound a bit scary to start with, but actually is quite straightforward, and the fact that it's £2,000 less than a Unitiserve has got to be a bonus. Have a look on the internet at nas drives and Asset and it will get clearer. 

I used to own a CD5XS and compared it to the ND5XS, NDX and DAC when I moved to streaming and felt that all three were better than the CD5XS.  Never thought i'd say it as I was convinced there would be very little between the ND5XS and CD5XS but to my ears the streamer was noticeably better.

I agree with HH.  Although I use a Synology, and have just set up a 3Tb Synology DS216 for someone else (£260), but the Qnaps are just as good.

Even if your computer doesn't have a CD drive for £25 you can get a USB DVD drive that'll read CDs perfectly well.

Then just rip your CDs and store the files them in the \music folder.  The Media Server application on the NAS will then make them available to the ND5 through the UPnP input.

Save your money for the Flatcap and XP5 XS.  If you really need to play an occasional CD, connect the digital audio out from your DVD (or Blue-Ray player) to the ND5; it won't be as good as the NAS, but it will play the occasional CD just fine.

Hi, thanks all, I got some good advice: they way I will go is to get a NAS server and start ripping those cd's. I understand I should take the long process that deals with possible errors to get the best quality rip. Then I'll look into those 24 bit files as an alternative to buying the CD.  Afterwards I can still look into what power supply might give me the most in the set up. One thing that is nice about Naim is that whatever the source is and whatever quality difference there is, the Naim draws me into the music, and no longer into 'good audio sound'. 

Mark, your last sentence is the key to the whole thing; the rest is just how you get there (at least without spending WAY too much money!)

Mark, that sounds like a good idea. If you live anywhere near Chichester you'd be welcome to pop round and I can show you how it works, in simple terms. There is loads of discussion on the forum about this, so try the search facility too. You won't believe the idiotic questions I have asked about streaming, and I've received some super advice from people here, so if you get in a pickle just ask. When you get a nas, get WD red drives - nothing else.