NDS upgrade with NDAC has it been attempted??

You could. I haven't tried this as I don't have any of this kit, but I think conventional wisdom is that the DAC in the NDS is as good or better than the NDAC, so I suspect this would be a very expensive way to get slightly less good SQ......

best

David

If you have the funds available to do that, use them to swap your 252 for a 552. That will make more difference than a thousand power supplies on the NDS. 

If you are contemplating using an outboard DAC, why not audition some of the other ones oft mentioned favourably on these forums - you might be surprised at what you hear.

I think a really funky test would be an NDS with dual 555PS into an nDAC+555PS 

Adam Zielinski posted:

I think a really funky test would be an NDS with dual 555PS into an nDAC+555PS 

That only is relevant if you also power your NAS with a 555ps....

Bert Schurink posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I think a really funky test would be an NDS with dual 555PS into an nDAC+555PS 

That only is relevant if you also power your NAS with a 555ps....

Of course, and into 552 with three Nap500s , SNAXO powered by a SuperCap.

Thanks Gents, 

A 552 is on the to do list, the ndac nds may be something I need to trial myself.

'Name' - please forgive us our hopefully harmless attempts at humor

I actually do own nDAC + 555PS and NDS with 555PSDR (in two separate systems). Hearing them both I don't think adding an nDAC to an NDS would yield significant improvements (if any).

Adam

adding ndac to nds is a complete fetishistic waste of time

It'll sound different - perhaps the OP will like that difference (or maybe not). 

it might well sound different. But the objective here is not to make things sound "different", but to make them sound *better*. And then to attach a value proposition to that "better"

One mans different may be another mans better. 

Anyway i'd take the Preamp...

And is *better* better than "better"?

one man's confused misunderstanding might be a dealers heaven

Quite so, Jon, quite so. 

Name posted:

I still have fond memories of my first introduction into streaming music which was ndac/555ps and unitiserve.

I made the progression to the NDS/55ps,  but do remember the juicy bass of the ndac/555ps.

i understand the conventional wisdom regarding upgrading the nds is via dual 555PS's.

Has anyone had the opportunity to do try NDS, 555PS with digital out to an NDAC and 555PS. Is it possible and would this be an upgrade?

Thanks for your help.

I did this at my dealers - and I liked the effect - certainly an improvement feeding the NDAC with an NDX - and I always preferred the NDAC to the NDS especially on a 552. [This was with earlier firmwares that current for NDAC and NDS]... but i admit it would be an unusual path to follow and is more a sideways step in performance than anything else to suite taste

S

Hi Chaps,

Once again, great comments and great humour is all warmly received.

Yes I enjoy the functionality and ease of use of the nds and in hifi terms it trumps the unitiserve/Ndac combo, but I'm curious whether the ndac may be....for my taste more satisfying. Taking into consideration that despite owning dr equipment I've ended selling it as I found my ultimate satisfaction being in non dr.

Non dr for me is a less open and hifi sound but it all "dirtiness" there is soul and emotion....I hate to use this analogy, but vinyl like for want of a better word.....it is certainly a taste thing.

Plus I still purchase vinyl and run a turntable.

The last time I demoed, all things being equal re: remastering, I preferred cd rips from the unitiserve to the hd tracks hi res versions. So yes I'm a quirky fetished individual !

The NDS contains essentially the same DAC as the DAC. It is breathed on in its assembly and the main difference is that it is  spring isolated.  Not everybody likes the presentation of the NDS/555PS over the DAC/555PS. I certainly do, having owned both. To my ears the NDS is miles ahead and I consider the DAC a retrograde step. Not that it's a remotely bad DAC at any of it's price levels depending on PS attached.  But it's not the best DAC Naim make. That's the NDS. A Statement streamer is in the works. Might be months, might be years, might be never. For the time being the NDS rules them all.

DAC/555PS excellent for a digital source. NDS/555PS musically magical. NDS/DAC pointless.

But don't take my word for it. Go listen and decide for yourself. You don't hear through my ears.

I agree, having moved from NDac/555/NDX to NDS 555 I found the latter to be a significant upgrade. The NDS produces that beautiful analgue sound that I really enjoy. Will DR my 555 next year and look forward to what that brings. 

Regards 

Gary

More than you might imagine. And it's all good. The realistic, organic, texturally authentic qualities of NDS playback are further enhanced for no (to my ears) discernable loss.  The increase in technical performance is not at the expense of musical ability, as can sometimes be the case.

I always wanted a CDS3. It is the best CDP I never owned. The NDS is a kind of spiritual successor to the CDS3 in terms of it's easy presentation of whatever you throw it. But it's talents and capabilities exceed the wonderful CDS3 by a vast margin. It's a different world yet reassuring familiar somehow.

I loved my CDS3, which I thought was far nicer than the 555. Maybe the NDS is the best streamer I'll never own. Oh well. 

Can't fault the CD555 for it's technical abilities. I can see how it would appeal and I don't doubt that in some systems it would sound beyond fantastic. But I also preferred the CDS3. Had money been parted with, it would have gone to a CDS3. Academic now.

fathings cat posted:

I agree, having moved from NDac/555/NDX to NDS 555 I found the latter to be a significant upgrade. The NDS produces that beautiful analgue sound that I really enjoy. Will DR my 555 next year and look forward to what that brings. 

Regards 

Gary

I did the same upgrade, except I already had the 555DR. I thought the Ndac/555DR/NDX sounded great, but within seconds of hearing the NDS in my system I was sold. To my ears it was just so much more natural in its presentation, the sound just floated from the speakers with ease rather than sounding slightly pushed. The NDS seems to have a presence which the NDX combo didn't.

Agree the 555PSDR and the NDAC and not the best bed fellows - the non DR 555PS on the NDAC is another matter. As someone else commented recently it appears the possible organic type grain of the non DR 555PS really adds to the feel and vigour of the NDAC. I always found the NDS/555PSDR more revealing and insightful than the NDAC/555PS but not having the same verve and swagger - I tended to prefer the latter overall, but with choral music the NDS won every time. However later ultimately I found the Hugo built on some of the strengths of the NDAC and many of the strengths of the NDS - but I have written about that in detail on this from a couple of years back. I still think a Hugo playing into a 552DR based system is one of those magical musical scenarios with the right speakers in the right room... but I guess that is just me...

For quite some time I was of exactly the same opinion as Simon in preferring the nonDR 555PS on the nDAC.  That's was when I was using 282/SC/250.2.   However having DR'ed the SuperCap, replaced the  250.2 with a 300DR, I then demo'ed a 552DR in store and then at home.  The home demo was initially missing something compared to the in-store demo. And then the penny dropped: the in-store demo was with a 555PSDR whereas at home I was using the nonDR 555PS. Once my dealer brought around the 555PSDR all was well so I promptly ordered an upgrade on my 555PS.  The conclusion I reached was that the 555PSDR only really showed its true potential when working with other DR components in the system.