Happy (or sad) ND5XS owners?

Posted by: Bob the Builder on 23 April 2017

This is a thread for owners of the ND5XS streamer to come out and sing its praises or not  what ever your experience please share it.  Have you felt the need to upgrade it with an NDX a PSU or a Chord dac or an Ndac and if so what were your experiences or have you like me lived with it for a year or more on its own.                                               

Posted on: 03 May 2017 by MangoMonkey

I'd stick with the ND5XS with the NaitXS. I had the NDX/NaitXS combo and was not happy with that.. The NDX is better, but not as much fun.

Posted on: 04 May 2017 by Huge
Innocent Bystander posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Why, if very happy with it?

Because, even if you're happy with it (for your current capital outlay), one always just knows that one's system could be better!  

Posted on: 04 May 2017 by Kevin Richardson
MangoMonkey posted:

I'd stick with the ND5XS with the NaitXS. I had the NDX/NaitXS combo and was not happy with that.. The NDX is better, but not as much fun.

Well that can be solved with an upgrade to SN2. It's all so easy.... ��

Posted on: 04 May 2017 by Kacper
Innocent Bystander posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Why, if very happy with it?

I used to have a cambridge audio streamer - always was looking for something (better sounding etc). Now since I have a ND5XS no more issues / complaints about sound quality. With power supplier or / and an extra dac might sounds even better. 

Posted on: 04 May 2017 by Kacper
Timo posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Might be a good time to get an ex-demo XP5XS.

Yes indeed! I know the shop who have one but it's still quite expensive.

Posted on: 04 May 2017 by Kacper
MangoMonkey posted:

I'd stick with the ND5XS with the NaitXS. I had the NDX/NaitXS combo and was not happy with that.. The NDX is better, but not as much fun.

Before I purchased ND5XS was doubting about second hand NDX. Local naim dealer told me that of course NDX it's a better streamer but nait xs2 would match better with nd5xs.

Posted on: 05 May 2017 by Kacper
Huge posted:
Innocent Bystander posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Why, if very happy with it?

Because, even if you're happy with it (for your current capital outlay), one always just knows that one's system could be better!  

And that's really nice with Naim , to make our systems sounds better we don't have to exchange entire system- We can upgrade them! 

Posted on: 05 May 2017 by Timo
Kacper posted:
Timo posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Might be a good time to get an ex-demo XP5XS.

Yes indeed! I know the shop who have one but it's still quite expensive.

Or an ex-demo or used Hugo 1? Might be an alternative bargain on the horizon to push the good old ND5XS... 

Posted on: 05 May 2017 by William
Timo posted:
Kacper posted:
Timo posted:
Kacper posted:

I'm Very happy with my ND5XS - looking forward for some upgrade

Might be a good time to get an ex-demo XP5XS.

Yes indeed! I know the shop who have one but it's still quite expensive.

Or an ex-demo or used Hugo 1? Might be an alternative bargain on the horizon to push the good old ND5XS... 

Totally agree. Or even a used Chord Mojo. Just curious: has anybody compared ND5 XS + Hugo with NDX + Hugo?

Posted on: 05 May 2017 by Dazlin

I've had my bare ND5 for over 3 years and still think it's a great bit of kit.  

I'm sure it's held back by the onboard DAC and I'm about to address that but it's the functionality that has me somewhat married to it; In addition to doing a great job of streaming from the NAS I use it as a remote / iPad controlled switch for digital sources (Sky box, Amazon Fire TV) and internet radio. The HD BBC stations are great for convenience and I f there's anything on worth getting up for I'll switch to the NAT 02.  This has become more important since I recently upgraded from my trusty 102/180 & power supplies to an amp with no remote.

One of the main reasons I bought it was the convenience of the iPad app, particularly the Rovi element.  My music collection and listening habits had become stale but between listening to Radio Paradise (320k of course) and reading about the artists' peers & influences on my NAS on Rovi, my music collection has grown for the better. 

I've considered the Roon option,  feeding a DAC directly as my new NAS was deliberately spec'd  for it but for most this would leave the ND5 largely redundant. For me the value remains in the convenience so I will likely add an Audio Note DAC and remain married to it for some time to come.

In short it did what I bought it for; to expand my musical horizons and in that respect it continues to deliver, more so with the recent switch to valves.  Add the certainty it will only get better by adding a DAC and you can safely count me among the happy. 

Posted on: 13 May 2017 by Bob the Builder

I have added a Chord 2Qute to my ND5XS and  am a very happy owner.