External DAC with NDX

Yes - search for Hugo and NDX and I hope you find some of my previous postings on the subject useful.

I use a Hugo TT with NDX - direct into a 250DR. Excellent.

G

Naim website suggests nDac as upgrade for NDX

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Forgot to add that each 'box' was a massive improvement over a bare NDX. Funnily enough I'm not a great fan of an NDX with an external PSU - somehow I found this combo OK, but not great. nDAC is a fantastic upgrade.

p. posted:

Naim website suggests nDac as upgrade for NDX

That's a surprise. 

Adam Zielinski posted:

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Just wondering if you've ever actually listened to Hugo, as you always seem to argue against it? No problems of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it...!

Like S-in-S, I use NDX + Chord Hugo. Ace.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Just wondering if you've ever actually listened to Hugo, as you always seem to argue against it? No problems of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it...!

I had the Hugo on home dem for a week, messed about with different settings, cables etc and it still sounded mediocre at best, so I agree with Adam having also had a Naim Dac in my system before upgrading to an NDS . Just wondering if you've actually listened to NDAC. No problem of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it.....!

I've had bare NDX, NDX + XPS, NDX + Hugo, NDX + Hugo TT

XPS is a big step up from bare NDX. Some here say it's a moderate step up. I disagree. XPS gives a lot more weight, gravitas, and grunt to the presentation of the music.

That said... removing the XPS and adding the hugo provided the refinement, detail, and timing I was looking for. Replacing the hugo for a TT added back a little of the XPS gravitas, in addition quieter backgrounds and yet more detail / resolution.

An external DAC can be an improvement or just a different flavour over the NDX's internal DAC. The NDX makes a very nice S/PDIF source so if you like what it does (Naim control software etc) and aren't too concerned about a growing box count then it's a decent option. I used it in this way for a while before moving it on.

If you like what the NDX does already then adding an XPS gives you a lot more without changing the basic character of the player. 

James

Jonn posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Just wondering if you've ever actually listened to Hugo, as you always seem to argue against it? No problems of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it...!

I had the Hugo on home dem for a week, messed about with different settings, cables etc and it still sounded mediocre at best, so I agree with Adam having also had a Naim Dac in my system before upgrading to an NDS . Just wondering if you've actually listened to NDAC. No problem of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it.....!

Another Hugo user here, having just replaced my ND5 XS into Hugo with a microRendu into Hugo in one of my systems.

When I originally auditioned the ND5 XS, the dealer also demonstrated the ND5 XS into dDac (with XPS) as a potential future upgrade for me. I found the upgrade pretty underwhelming, preferring a Linn Akurate he also demonstrated. In fact, I struggled to hear a significant difference (let alone improvement) in the overall sound at all. I purchased the bare ND5 XS and added the Hugo shortly afterwards which appeared to me to be a much more effective and also a more cost effective upgrade. I suspect though, that the demo I received must have been flawed in some way, because I am sure I ought to have noticed a significant improvement or at least a significantly changed sound.   

So, on the basis of my listening sessions, the Hugo certainly trumps the nDac, but maybe I should have given the nDac another chance. I have only heard an NDS once (with twin 555 power supplies), and it sounded pretty good for the most part (as part of a £300,000 or so system). But for the sort of money an NDS with twin power supplies costs, I would definitely aim for a Chord Dave (with something like a microRendu, NDX or Auralic Aries) which must be just about the best DAC you can buy right now, and for considerably less money than the NDS combo.

Jonn posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Just wondering if you've ever actually listened to Hugo, as you always seem to argue against it? No problems of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it...!

I had the Hugo on home dem for a week, messed about with different settings, cables etc and it still sounded mediocre at best, so I agree with Adam having also had a Naim Dac in my system before upgrading to an NDS . Just wondering if you've actually listened to NDAC. No problem of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it.....!

Touché!

My response was directed at Adam, as he is one of those who has been known to try to dismiss Hugo out of hand, or that is the impression given. Interesting that you found Hugo less enthralling, which seems to be a minority experience -  but as everyone says, it all depends on the rest of your system and your sound preferences.

No, I haven't heard the nDAC, my only comparison having been with the ND5XS, which persuaded me that the Hugo with ND5XS just as renderer was a much bigger improvement than adding the XP5XS to the ND5XS. But, unlike some, I have never dismissed or rubbished the nDAC, nor tried to divert people away from it, instead all I have ever done is bring Hugo to the attention of people who might not be aware of it, often stating my experience and/or mentioning those of others, or adding to comments others have made - and sometimes indeed I have named the nDAC and/or DAC v1 as alternatives to try alongside Hugo.

if there was a dealer within less than a major expedition distance from me I imagine I would have tried/compared some other things, very possibly including the Naim DACs, but there isn't.  I did love the Hugo, and my system with it in place, and wished I had learnt what I know now before getting the ND5XS - however I have now moved on to a higher DAC plane, called Dave...

i have heard and owned the NDAC / 555PS - and jolly good it was too... for me though it was eclipsed with immersive listening sessions with the Hugo - quite a different performance - providing that Mandelbrot effect - I can listen into many recordings rather than listen to them - but that doesn't take away from the fact the NDAC/555PS produces  a fun and dynamic performance.

If you use a Hugo with a Naim NAC ensure the lineout level  is turquoise, preferably use a Naim hiline or better - and I always use SPDIF from a top class transport - NDX in transport mode.

Innocent Bystander posted:

My response was directed at Adam, as he is one of those who has been known to try to dismiss Hugo out of hand, or that is the impression given.

Perhaps you could refresh my memory by sending links to the threads that lead you to this conclusion.

Adam

Adam Zielinski posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

My response was directed at Adam, as he is one of those who has been known to try to dismiss Hugo out of hand, or that is the impression given.

Perhaps you could refresh my memory by sending links to the threads that lead you to this conclusion.

Adam

Hmm, how about your postbin this thread to which I was responding, saying forget the Hugo? However, if that wasn't dismissing Hugo and you are neutral about it then my apologies for misconstruing, and I redirect my polite query to any to whom it may fit.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

i have heard and owned the NDAC / 555PS - and jolly good it was too... for me though it was eclipsed with immersive listening sessions with the Hugo - quite a different performance - providing that Mandelbrot effect - I can listen into many recordings rather than listen to them - but that doesn't take away from the fact the NDAC/555PS produces  a fun and dynamic performance.

If you use a Hugo with a Naim NAC ensure the lineout level  is turquoise, preferably use a Naim hiline or better - and I always use SPDIF from a top class transport - NDX in transport mode.

Thanks - you'd use optical out from an NDX and not Coax ?

Optical is supposed to be the best input on Hugo.

That said, when I had Hugo and used it with a converter from the usb source, with a choice of optical and coax SPDIF, I used the coax - I meant some time to compare optical but never got around to it, having no impetus due to the sound as it was being Very satisfying.

Jonn posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Been using NDX with nDAC for a while now. Recently added a pre-loved 555PS to the nDAC. 
Forget the Hugo - nDAC is the way to go (ok - I will run for cover whilst the Hugo brigage reloads.... )

Just wondering if you've ever actually listened to Hugo, as you always seem to argue against it? No problems of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it...!

I had the Hugo on home dem for a week, messed about with different settings, cables etc and it still sounded mediocre at best, so I agree with Adam having also had a Naim Dac in my system before upgrading to an NDS . Just wondering if you've actually listened to NDAC. No problem of course if you haven't, though perhaps you might owe it to yourself to hear what it is others see in it.....!

Its obviously a matter of personal taste and system synergy.  I had both NDAC and Hugo in my system, at the same time, for a week and very much wanted to own the NDAC but the improvement in sound from the Hugo, to my ears and in my system, was too great for me to do so.

Like Dayjay said, It is obviously a matter of personal taste and system synergy.  I had the Hugo TT and the NDAC in my system and bought the latter. The current software makes it even better, at least to my ears and brain.

MontyMusic posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

i have heard and owned the NDAC / 555PS - and jolly good it was too... for me though it was eclipsed with immersive listening sessions with the Hugo - quite a different performance - providing that Mandelbrot effect - I can listen into many recordings rather than listen to them - but that doesn't take away from the fact the NDAC/555PS produces  a fun and dynamic performance.

If you use a Hugo with a Naim NAC ensure the lineout level  is turquoise, preferably use a Naim hiline or better - and I always use SPDIF from a top class transport - NDX in transport mode.

Thanks - you'd use optical out from an NDX and not Coax ?

Coax is the one to use if connecting NDX and nDAC. Note a setting on the ground switch too. 

On the Hugo,optical is limited to 24/192,rca is 24/384 and the Hd USB input does 32/384 and up to Dsd 128.If I were going to use the Hugo as my source,starting from scratch,I would get the micro-rendu to feed the Hugo.I used to use the unitiqute 2's coax digital out to feed my Hugo,sound really good,yet bothered me that I was wasting the Unitiqute by only using it that way...thus the upgrade to the 272,Ndx costs a lot more than a micro-rendu,unless you want another black box.

MontyMusic posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

i have heard and owned the NDAC / 555PS - and jolly good it was too... for me though it was eclipsed with immersive listening sessions with the Hugo - quite a different performance - providing that Mandelbrot effect - I can listen into many recordings rather than listen to them - but that doesn't take away from the fact the NDAC/555PS produces  a fun and dynamic performance.

If you use a Hugo with a Naim NAC ensure the lineout level  is turquoise, preferably use a Naim hiline or better - and I always use SPDIF from a top class transport - NDX in transport mode.

Thanks - you'd use optical out from an NDX and not Coax ?

Hi, there is no optical (Toslink) output from the NDX, you connect the NDX to the DAC such as the NDAC or Hugo  using a BNC SPDIF lead - but note the Hugo uses a phono connector for its SPDIF. The NDX SPDIF out is galvanically isolated so you won't run into ground loops with the Hugo. Also for optimum performance you switch the NDX using the settings menu to transport mode by disabling the the analogue outputs with their  associated DAC and solely enabling the digital output function.

Simon

ndx   into ndac  .  then ndx   into ndac with 5 PSU.  then tried ndx into hugo   and that how its been for two years  . forgot about the dac market now   .STILL have the back up of the internal   Dac of the ndx  THE NDX  IS MY LAST STREAMER PLATFORM

Unfortunately I'm one of the Hugo brigade. I wanted to stick with my nDac/XPS if only because I love the sound of my Naim pre/power and, to that extent, I'm a loyal 'naimee'. But to my ears, in my system, the Hugo was simply closer to the 'real' experience of a live venue (such as The Stables - Cleo Lane's 'place'). I am awaiting a merger of Naim and Chord (following on from the merger with Focal) so that I can rejoin the Naim mainstream....in any case, it's great to have a choice of great DACs and worth experimenting with adding them to the NDX.