DAC

Sorry to interject, do you think the nDac will still be an upgrade to the new network range (sans the new ND555)? It's a great Dac, robust and built to last another 10 years...

I would hope that after spending £20 k adding an nDac would not make it sound better. For the NDX2 I think the jury is out, it depends if it is close to the now discontinued NDS, or is si are to the old NDX.

But perhaps the trickle down effect of the ND 555 will be a new Dac.

aznblue posted:

Sorry to interject, do you think the nDac will still be an upgrade to the new network range (sans the new ND555)? It's a great Dac, robust and built to last another 10 years...

Now this is a pertinent question. I asked support and did not have a clear answer to it in reference to NDX2. The response would be to listen to both NDX2 and NDX2 w/ NDAC. I am ready to sell my NDAC if NDX2 is good enough. Hopefully Steve can provide some insight?

I am sure there will be tweaking with the NDX2 sound and relative improvements - however I feel the NDX's strength is when it is in transport mode - as opposed to DAC mode - and I suspect the biggest enhancements with the NDX2 will be with its connectivity and updated display of course  - where the the current NDX is relatively constrained. This should be a big plus for the NDX2 in transport mode as well.

kaydee6 posted:

aznblue posted:

Sorry to interject, do you think the nDac will still be an upgrade to the new network range (sans the new ND555)? It's a great Dac, robust and built to last another 10 years...

Now this is a pertinent question. I asked support and did not have a clear answer to it in reference to NDX2. The response would be to listen to both NDX2 and NDX2 w/ NDAC. I am ready to sell my NDAC if NDX2 is good enough. Hopefully Steve can provide some insight?

I think you are better off pursuing with Naim sales support on this point until you have the answer you understand - you cant really expect Steve to comment on such subjective  things.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I am sure there will be tweaking with the NDX2 sound and relative improvements - however I feel the NDX's strength is when it is in transport mode - as opposed to DAC mode - and I suspect the biggest enhancements with the NDX2 will be with its connectivity and updated display of course  - where the the current NDX is relatively constrained. This should be a big plus for the NDX2 in transport mode as well.

Yes. I suspect ndx2 will be a very nice transport. 

https://www.whathifi.com/news/...mium-music-streamers

Pricing of NDX2 at £5k is much higher than expected?

kaydee6 posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I am sure there will be tweaking with the NDX2 sound and relative improvements - however I feel the NDX's strength is when it is in transport mode - as opposed to DAC mode - and I suspect the biggest enhancements with the NDX2 will be with its connectivity and updated display of course  - where the the current NDX is relatively constrained. This should be a big plus for the NDX2 in transport mode as well.

Yes. I suspect ndx2 will be a very nice transport. 

I would think the ND5XS2 would make sense here. All 3 run the same streaming module and you've got a few superfluous items removed on the basic player too.

It’s a shame there will be no power supply upgrade option for the ND5XS2, otherwise I might have given it a look

Gazza posted:

It’s a shame there will be no power supply upgrade option for the ND5XS2, otherwise I might have given it a look

Depends how you want to use it. My comment related to using the ND5XS2 streamer in transport mode where additional PSU upgrades don't have much, if any effect.

James

Gazza posted:

It’s a shame there will be no power supply upgrade option for the ND5XS2, otherwise I might have given it a look

But ideal for anyone looking to front or upgrade with a DAC.  And then you could go further with an XPS2 or 555PS on the DAC.

Interesting to see that the ND5XS2 comes in at a lower price than the outgoing model. That's nice to see.

I guess I am looking forward to hearing all 3, the dac addition could be interesting.

Currently I have a nDac and a XPS2 connected to the dig out on my HDX, and wonder how the ND5XS2 would compare against the HDX sound wise (i know its not a server)

that would add tidal etc to the mix and allow me to relocate my HDX to another room (wired conection of course)

by the way adding  the xps2 to  nDac and was a great move, after having the dac for a year then adding the xps, the change was instantly recognisable

I'm with Gaza on this one.  The NDX2 is higher priced than I expected :-( but I do look forward to hearing them soon.