NDac source options

The NDX would be an excellent transport into your DAC, but if you use it with its built in DAC, you may be disappointed. If that sounds too expensive, an ND5XS might be worth a try. I suspect the NDAC is at its best when using the SPDIF input. 

Can you get your CDX adapted so that it has a digital output like the later CDX2.2, which you could use straight into the nDAC?

I would look at getting a “Digi” Board (IQAudio, HifiBerry, etc) for the RPi, which will give you an SPDIF data stream to the NDAC.

Also use the RPi “wired” if you can, rather than wireless.

MDS posted:

Can you get your CDX adapted so that it has a digital output like the later CDX2.2, which you could use straight into the nDAC?

No, you can't.

Thanks for your replies. 

That's right cdx cannot be modified to feed digital street into the nDAC. 

I have Rpi set up in this way exactly. Lan wired, into a dac board that sits on the Pi, spdif out into the nDAC. With a dedicated PSU for the Pi, not sure it brought any clear benefits though. 

I think I will need to give both the nd5xs and ndx a listen to see whether they bring any improvements over the existing setup; they are the obvious choices, I suppose. I guess the real question is whether they will at least match the USB-fed performance of the nDac. 

I think an NDX is a rather expensive transport -- the ND5XS should be fine when teamed up with your Naim DAC. It is my impression from reading here that only the most "sophisticated" ears can distinguish between NDX and ND5XS as transport...  Maybe, have a look at the second-hand market for a bargain.   

Also, if you have or plan to have Musos in the future, staying in the Naim eco-system makes sense, I think. We have an ND5XS and a Muso QB -- but the second Muso QB will be collected later today. 

My hopes exactly Timo

Give a Core a chance if you can site it locally to the DAC.

There is some diggerence between ND5XS and NDX when used as transports. To some it’s marginal to some it is significant. 

Generally speaking: quality of a digital transport  is paramount and should not be underestimated. 

For me it is not so insignificant - there is a different level of design and decoupling on the NDX as well as larger better power supplies - the really crucial element for a transport. Of course you need a suitable DAC to show off the differences 

Richard Dane posted:

MDS posted:

Can you get your {CDX} adapted so that it has a digital output like the later CDX2.2, which you could use straight into the nDAC?

No, you can't. 

What about the CDX2 ???

When I came aboard, The Forum lead me to believe you could.

But once the change was made, you were stuck. The converted {Cdx2} could only be used with the digital out!

Whilst the Mk II could be used with it's internal Dac, or digital out.

Allante93!

The Analog TT, Digital CDP, or Digital Streaming. A new Paradigm.

The Analog Core > Digital Ndac

The NDX > Ndac ~ meta-data

Genre, Artist, etc....

No wireless connections.

Will this work?

Reference Hard-Disk Server

Uniti Core represents the essence of digital music. It is a seriously powerful machine that will allow you to rip your entire CD collection, store up to 100,000 tracks, serve files to Uniti all-in-one players or other Naim streamers and create a back-up for all of your music. You can also use Uniti Core as a standalone digital source – simply connect it to a digital-to-analogue converter or an amplifier with digital inputs and control playback via the Naim app. Uniti Core is a fuss-free, no-compromise solution to ripping, storing, cataloguing and playing your entire music collection.

Allante93!

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

For me it is not so insignificant - there is a different level of design and decoupling on the NDX as well as larger better power supplies - the really crucial element for a transport. Of course you need a suitable DAC to show off the differences 

Simon, what's your take on the Core?

New to Streaming. 

Naim's Marque Separate Pre Amp as an Hub

Digital Core

Ndac

NDS/NDX

Even 

Core>272. ????  

Thanks for suggesting the Core. It is exactly what I need, provided that it matches the usb input sound quality. I will definitely give it a listen. 

PatB posted:

Thanks for suggesting the Core. It is exactly what I need, provided that it matches the usb input sound quality. I will definitely give it a listen. 

Don't search the Forum for Core user experiences -- you might loose your appetite... Apparently, the Core is still full of worms... 

Don't Thank me, thank Naim.

I'm a novice, when it comes to Streaming!

I'm waiting on HH, Simon, Richard, MDS, Tonym, Chris, DB, the Heavy Weights!

I have no hands on experience!

Just reading, and trying to ease into the World Of Streaming!

Enjoy Your Music, The Why!

Allante93!

PS. Music Server Core $2.6K US

Not Bad!

Timo posted:

PatB posted:

Thanks for suggesting the Core. It is exactly what I need, provided that it matches the usb input sound quality. I will definitely give it a listen. 

Don't search the Forum for Core user experiences -- you might loose your appetite... Apparently, the Core is still full of worms... 

Dear Timo, if one doesn't utilize the Forum, for hands on experience, as it pertains to Naim's Reference Hard-Disk Server....

How will we know, its full of worms!

Perhaps the Heavy Weights will tune in.

We are new to Naim!

Thanks for the WORM warning!

Allante93!

yeti42 posted:

Give a Core a chance if you can site it locally to the DAC.

Nice Thread on Profile!

Timo, I think!

But any way, yetti42, lives with Naim's REFERENCE HARD DISK SERVER!

Along with his 500 series System!

The Forum at its best.

Informative Mode!

Allante93!

PS. Nice Thread Timo:

Profile content

I appreciate it's not, nor should it be, mandatory, but the number of contributors who decline, or simply can't be bothered, to include details of their system within their profile amazes me. 

Adam Zielinski posted:

There is some diggerence between ND5XS and NDX when used as transports. To some it’s marginal to some it is significant. 

Generally speaking: quality of a digital transport  is paramount and should not be underestimated. 

Like SiS above and ime the NDX is noticeably better as a transport for the Ndac.

G

The core is a work in progress firmware wise, it’s slowly improving. I don’t have roon so don’t know if it works with the Core or just the players but it might be the answer if it does. I used to keep my CD shelves better ordered than the firmware does its indexes.

I’m feeding a humble Rega DACr via a Belden 4794R cable with a BNC to RCA adapter on the DAC end and the results through my 552/500/NBLs are far far better than expected from a £600 DAC and a £20 cable, the cable is important but I think DAC dependant. The plan was to wait for Naim’s next top streamer when the Core and DAC join a Rega system in my spare room but it’s absolutely no hardship through the 500 system in the meantime. I have a propper Powerline on the Core as I had a spare and it lifted the performance significantly, at least via the SP/dif output.

That’s very interesting, I also feel the Spdif is better, but not with the power line, must try that out.

I use a CDX2.2 with DC1 to nDAC and tried a Powerline on the XP5XS that powers the CDX2.2. It made a worthwhile improvement. Digital sources really matter. 

FWIW, an interesting post with the ranking of various sources into the nDac by a very knowledgeable contributor.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...77#56616768810597977

Richard Dane posted:

MDS posted:

Can you get your CDX adapted so that it has a digital output like the later CDX2.2, which you could use straight into the nDAC?

No, you can't.

Good Evening

I got my CDX2 converted to digi a few years back by Naim HQ....ran it into N-Dac, now NDS..

Have a good weekend