NDX vs ND5 XS + DAC

NDX sounds & looks better in my SN2 system. The NDX also looks better in a classic level system.

You can always add a DAC in the future.

I asked myself this very same question but I already owned the ND5XS but if your price is fixed and baring in mind you already have HDX I would forget Naim and go Micro Rendu or Auralic Mini and a brand new Chord Qutest it has multiple inputs to accommodate both units a variable output and the same technology as the Hugo 2 and all for £1200. The MicroRendu or the aries mini even with a Linear Power supply will come in at less than an NDX.

With an HDX already why would you want an NDX as well ?   Just get the DAC.

TOBYJUG posted:

With an HDX already why would you want an NDX as well ?   Just get the DAC.

Indeed!

Sound wise, ND5XS + NDAC will be better than a bare NDX.

"Sound wise, ND5XS + NDAC will be better than a bare NDX"

Some months ago I wanted to know about the recommended "service intervals" for Naim streamers. I called Naim and during the talk I was told the same. 

Therefore, and because I could use the NDAC for a cd player as well, I decided to go for the ND5XS+ NDAC combo. 

Claus

Sequence of sound improvements from my own experience and tests:

1. ND5XS

2. NDX

3. ND5XS + nDAC

4. NDX + nDAC. 

Adding a power supply to the nDAC will further increase the perceived sound quality. 

I have had a bare NDX since 2014 in my system never felt the need to ad NDAC  to be honest

Fwiw I recently auditioned the NDX and it was not my cup of tea. So audition if you can

Bob the Builder posted:

I asked myself this very same question but I already owned the ND5XS but if your price is fixed and baring in mind you already have HDX I would forget Naim and go Micro Rendu or Auralic Mini and a brand new Chord Qutest it has multiple inputs to accommodate both units a variable output and the same technology as the Hugo 2 and all for £1200. The MicroRendu or the aries mini even with a Linear Power supply will come in at less than an NDX.

Well, maybe not forget about the Naim DAC, but compare it with Chord's new Qutest.

Try ND5xs with Chord Hugo ..... better than bare NDX and probably better than using the NDAC - plus more cost effective 

Hi all,

thanks to everybody from your suggestions. I'm thinking that the combination ND5XS + DAC which will also upgrade the quality of my HDX can be the best choice.

I have the opportunity to get both (second hand) at the same cost of a second hand NDX.

I'm assuming I can connect both the HDX and the ND5XS to the same NDAC. Is it correct?

PPT posted:

I'm assuming I can connect both the HDX and the ND5XS to the same NDAC. Is it correct?

 

Correct - via a digtal cable with BNC-BNC.
But.... if your primary objective is to stream music from HDX, adding ND5XS is completely pointles - you’d be duplicating the functionality with no real benefit.

I need a streamer to use my Tidal subscription to stream high quality music

If you go down this route, I would have suggested that you sell the HDX and just use a NAS into the streamer. However, given that used HDX prices are probably a bit low, you may decide it isn't worth it. On the other hand, if the HDX needs a repair, that is likely to cost significantly more than buying a new NAS, so you might want to bear that in mind if you only use the HDX as a music store/server.