nd5xs+ndac better than ndx

Maybe it is better, however, if you get an NDX (not much difference in price) you can always upgrade it with a power supply, or a DAC

I've tested most of the combinations of ND5XS, NDX, nDAC and various power supplies (XPSDR and 555PS and 555PSDR).

To my ears, the sequence, in order of increasing listening pleasure, would be something along the lines:

Tier 1: ND5XS >>>> NDX (>>>> means that I found NDX to be better than ND5XS, etc, etc)

Tier 2 ND5XS + XPS >>>NDX + XPS

Tier 3: ND5XS + 555PS >> NDX + 555PS

Tier 4: ND5XS + nDAC >>>> NDX + nDAC

Tier 5: ND5XS + nDAC + XPS >>> NDX + nDAC + XPS

Tier 6: ND5XS + nDAC + 555PS >>>> NDX + nDAC + 555PS

Conclusion: NDX + nDAC + 555PS is the most enjoyable and the best sounding combo of the above lot, to my ears at least. I find it on a par with NDS + 555PSDR

Maybe the new Core is the way to go...

Consider the FM module for the ND.  It cannot be added later.  If FM matters to you, add a decent antenna and prepare to be pleased.

I use my NDX 75% for FM, and had to pay rather a lot to trade my non-FM NDX for the FM one.  NDX-FM sounds much better than the Rega Radio it replaced.

Nick

NickSeattle posted:

Consider the FM module for the ND.  It cannot be added later.  If FM matters to you, add a decent antenna and prepare to be pleased.

I use my NDX 75% for FM, and had to pay rather a lot to trade my non-FM NDX for the FM one.  NDX-FM sounds much better than the Rega Radio it replaced.

Nick

Good point. My NDX also has an FM/DAB module with a decent external antenna.

The good thing is that FM audio will also be output via NDX's digital out and is playable via nDAC.

I would say the ND5XS plus Naim DAC is possibly better than the NDX, but a 555PS on the Naim DAC and there is more a clear difference. I ran the NDX into NDAC/555PS for a few years.

I have found with careful placement on Fraim, correct setting of chassis ground, use of a Hiline and good cable dressing, the NDX can sound very good on its own. It does have a top class Delta Sigma DAC (running in PCM mode) and uses specialist Burr Brown (now TI of course) analogue stage discrete  op amps to sound pretty impressive. Yes it's not bombastic or as detailed as the NDAC/555PS but musically almost as enjoyable.

Thank you very much for your kind replies.

But again, is the sound quality difference between the ndx and the nd5xs w/ndac, as significant as to go for a ndx w/out the ndac?  Allow me to explain.  If i ditch my Ndac as a second hand item, still I will have to sum a significant amount of cash  to purchase the ndx.  I do understand that sn2 + ndac + ndx would be a fantastic combo...  If I set my system with sn2+ndx no dac, it sounds to me like I'd be downgrading the sound of a possible nd5xs (which I don't have) with the ndac.  I don"t have the cash to purchase an ndx, but more important, If I had the cash I am not sure if that would be wise.

Is that reasonable???

Again, thank you so much for your kind help

Why not get a used NDX for £2,000 or so and keep the nDac?

If I understand this correctly, the choice is to sell the Ndac and get either a ndx or 5s. I have not heard the ndx,  but at best this seems to be a sideways move, unless you need a streamer? If you keep the Ndac you have more options for streaming with other brands than Naim, and you could hold out and wait for the next generation Naim streamers in a year or 2.

Claus  

There is only a tiny margin thst separates ND5XS and NDX running as a digital transport mode into nDAC. Some people can hear the difference some cannot.

So my advice is to keep the nDAC and get ND5XS. Connecte them via Naim's DC-1 and enjoy the music. 

The bare NDX sounds miles better than a ND5 into a SN2. I'm not sure building a system around the nDAC makes sense in your situation as it needs an $11k power supply to sound, on average, worse than the Hugo. Honestly neither the NDX nor the ND5 feel like a good value unless you really really want to use the Naim app.

Thank you very much for your kind replies .  

I will let you know what I decided soon.

Best regards!!!

If one is committed to Naim amplification, the Naim app provides total system control, when you have an ND.  Doing something else strikes me as fitting an Audi steering wheel to a BMW -- nice, maybe, but bound to sacrifice system integrity.

Not everybody wants or needs a whole-house system the way I do.  In my case, 90% of my listening and controlling of the Naim system is done in remote zones.  The Naim solution is the best all-around I have found, for balancing sound quality and convenience.

Nick

Hi Nick,

I did not understand, could you elaborate please?

I have not heard the ND5XS.  Into the Naim DAC, it might be every bit as good as the NDX.  Both give you access to the Naim app, with all its benefits.  I don't think you can go wrong.  I run the NDX-FM into the Naim DAC/555 -- ND5XS was not an option when I bought.

Other non-Naim options might have some advantages; but their lack of integration with the Naim app overwhelms them, IMHO.

If you are not planning to stay with Naim for amps, long term, these considerations are less important.

Nick

There are a couple of other live ND5XS threads by Bob The Builder in which NDX is also mentioned, with some discussion of n-DAC in one, so probably worth the OP reading them if not done so already.

Thank you Nick