New NDX2 vs the old NDS

T38.45 posted:

French Rooster posted:

T38.45 posted:

Imho it makes no sense to add DAC with NDX2, the DAC in the NDX2 should be superior vs external:-)

Not sure yet. The ndac was superior to the dac inside the ndx.

If a new streamer has not a better analog section then the 4-5 ? years old NDAC then there must be something wrong with Naim.

add on: hope to test NDX2 soon in my system...

The dac inside the new nd555  is the same as the now very old, but marvelous, cdx2.   tda1704, something like that.   Simon will confirm if he read that.  I learned it from him.

The ND555 uses the same type of DAC chipset as the CDX2 - the Burr Brown PCM-1704K. Also used in the CD5x, CD5xs, CDS3, CD555, Naim DAC, and NDS.  The difference between them is in the selection - i.e. the best chips go into the best kit.  But then there's a lot more to it than just the chipset...

I have no problem with the DAC chip itself- I think it‘s important how one use it. PSU, filter, whatever it takes. I‘ll  try to listen to the NDX2 in a few days...

Yes, the DACs are the TI PCM1704K chips.. and as stated the supporting circuitry is equally important such as the analogue current to voltage converter as well as the design of the analogue filtering stage, which I get the impression Naim are rather proud of. The 1704 can be run using it’s internal DSP oversampler and filter or external, and I think I am right in saying in Naim have elected to use separate external DSP and disable the internal DSP... with the CDX2, CDS3 (and possibly the other CDPs) it was the Pacific Microsonics HDCD DSP filtering chipset, and with the streamers and Naim DAC it was various versions of the the Analog Devices programmable SPARC DSP processors.... all of these components add to the final produced sonic performance.

I do believe despite this there is a distinctive (to my ears) 1704 type sound signature.. and this is part of its attraction.

The interesting thing is that the TI PCM 1704K device  is now obsolete, but TI offered I believe a  lifetime buy opportunity to certain customers for these chips  for upto 18 months post obsolescence ... so that suggests to me perhaps Naim made a huge order of these devices before TI stopped production...I guess sufficient for current products using it and the anticipated demand for the ND555 including replacement spares. If this is the case it is entirely likely to me the ND555 will be the last product from Naim to use these chips. 

Does anyone know what the NDX2 uses?

I think it uses the TI 1792 chipset, same as the Uniti Nova.

Gazza posted:

I think it uses the TI 1792 chipset, same as the Uniti Nova.

That’s what Hifi+ said, PCM1792A in the NDX 2 and 1791A in the ND5 XS2.

Thanks. Regarding the ND5XS2 the PCM1791 is a voltage DAC I believe as opposed to the others which are or can be configured as current DACs, so I think in that regard at least it’s quite a step down ... I think the DACV1 also uses the 1791.

Mike Sullivan posted:

Gazza posted:

Billy no mates????

I do tend towards solo happening, it’s true. Partly because the misus says, why buy that stuff, it all sounds the same ????

Oh, if I had a tenner for every time I've heard that, I could buy an ND555. 

I think dating agencies should include an inquiry to potential partners along the lines "Are you able to appreciate the difference between higher end audio equipment and cheap crap?"

That then just leaves the question of how folks who don't use dating agencies can acquire the same information about their proposed life partners before actually signing their happiness (and upgrade paths) away....  I've been working on this one for a few years, but so far unsuccessfully after three attempts.