CDX2/XPSDR To NDX2/XPSDR

XPSDR is late 2016 model.

The Burndy is with the XPS. ☺

Hi [@mention:53801014945645874]

Burndy stays with XPS and is correct for use with the NDX2. 

Perfect.. Thankyou both for sharing your wisdom.

I'm also interested to move from my CDX2+XPS to NDX2+XPS but I'm not convinced yet to leave my CD player. I'm renovating my house and I realize I have less and less space to store my CDs but I do not have enough money to keep both CDX2 and NDX2. I believe I'm not ready yet to pass completely to a streamer.....or yes?  

damy79 posted:

I'm also interested to move from my CDX2+XPS to NDX2+XPS but I'm not convinced yet to leave my CD player. I'm renovating my house and I realize I have less and less space to store my CDs but I do not have enough money to keep both CDX2 and NDX2. I believe I'm not ready yet to pass completely to a streamer.....or yes?  

If you are considereng moving to streaming you need to do some prep first;

a) a decent NAS/Media Server e.g. QNAP/Asset
b) suitable wired network
c) decent wireless for running the naim app on Phone/Pad etc
d) Android/Iphone or tablet.

Then you'll need to rip all your CDs.   I use dBPoweramp and rip to QNAP/Asset.  Backup your rips to your PC.

Buy NDX2

and very good point to make sure you get something to back up seperate hard drive also!

I have 800 + albums on NAS use Asset to control the NDX, my NAS is the QNAP is about the same size as a shoe box, and yes to dBpoweramp, I use Asset 6.1, so the big box of CD's are in the garage

and as I footnote, I moved from CDX2/XPS (no DR) to bare NDX in 2014 - i play listen to more music, higher rate streaming IMO is better than CDX2 IMO more detail. focus

AlanJ posted:

Currently running a CDX2+XPSDR. Am considering replacing CDX2 with NDX2.

I note that NDX2 does not come with Burndy cable and cant remember if the one I have came with the CDX2 or XPSDR.

I’m hoping to part-exchange so query is “does the existing Burndy go back with the CDX2, or just the link plug” ? Assuming the cable came with the XPSDR l’d obviously want to keep it for use with NDX2. I’m assuming the existing Burndy is compatible with NDX2 - somebody please correct me if I am wrong.

CDX2 is early 2016 model (if thats significant to the query).

Do audition carefully... remember the CDX2 has the same DAC as the ND555 (albeit a lesser grade), and the extremely highly regarded  Pacific Microsonics HDCD/DSP chipset. You may just find (like I do) that you want to keep both. There is something very special and dare  I say unique with the CDX2 sound... especially when using a higher end NAC and well set up. Yes the CDX2 is not the most neutral player and some genres like perhaps Choral.. it just doesn’t quite gel.. but give it some blues or rock and roll you should be in heaven...

Buy a Core at the same time, just makes it simpler for all. 

Yes... I certainly do intend to audition carefully.. The CDX2 does sound wonderful in my system (NAC282/SCDR/NAP250DR/Focal 1028be). The NDX2 would have to be at least as good.

Considering taking it with me, for comparison purposes, when I demo NDX2 - dealer has even suggested bringing the NDX2 to me.

Interested also in opinions on use of a seperate NAS.

Right now when I stream (not for serious listening - parties, background music etc) its from Asset Upnp on my fairly well spec’d Windows PC to my iPad into Chord Mojo and NAC282.  Asset runs as background service so no need to login to PC etc. Leave PC on all the time anyway. All music is already ripped using DBpoweramp to FLAC. Sound quality is quite respectable for this kind of casual listening. But struggling to justify a seperate NAS.

Will use wired ethernet of course if I do get NDX2

Correctly setup the NDX2 should be miles better than the CDX2.  A dedicated NAS is the way to go - PCs are electrically noisy. 

Interesting point... though they would all (NAS, PC and NDX2) be connected to same switch.

If you use a Layer 2 network switch the NAS wouldn't see any of the network traffic generated by the PC (unless it actually required it of course).    I use an 8 port Cisco 2960 tucked out of sight so the streamer (ND5XS) only sees traffic intended for it from the QNAP.

This is a intriguing subject. I will be using a Cisco L2 switch.

But, given my understanding of how switches work , if electrical noise generated by the PC was going to affect other devices on the switch it would be any device - not just the one the PC is talking too. If so the PC is an issue whether im using a NAS or not, whenever its generating traffic.

I certainly wouldnt contemplate a x-over cable direct between the PC and streamer, however.

I do stand to be corrected of course.

If you used a crossover cable you wouldn't be able to use the Naim app on your Android/iphone device.  The general recomendation on here for best sound quality is a NAS or a Naim Core; obvioisly your PC will work but a dedicated device may sound better.

Simon-in-Suffolk is the network specialist on here for detailed explanations.  

Well I’m not dismissing the use of a NAS anyhow so all  shared wisdom is greatly appreciated in this case.

I must confess to having some professional networking experience but largely at layers above the physical. Certainly not an expert at the electrical signalling/noise level and its potential impact on a streaming device.

So thanks for your help thus far.

Although a different set-up, I used to own a CDS3 CD player (plus XPS2) and 5 years ago I bought an HDX to rip, store and play all of my CD's.
After about 6 months, I sold the CDS3 as I simply had stopped using it, finding the HDX so much easier to browse music, find music, re-discover music and enjoy the music, all from the comfort of my armchair, iPhone or iPad in hand.

Although the HDX can also play CD's, the actual number of times I've used that feature I can count on one hand.
The CD's eventually went into my storage space.

The HDX sonically doesn't match the CDS3 (IMHO) yet, I've enjoyed the HDX music playing experience so much more.

I'm now considering one of the new streamers to replace the HDX although I won't jump until we have decent Internet at home - fibre due Q3 2019.

I believe most people, once having taken the step, will feel the same as I did and enjoy more music that they already own, even before experiencing the available free internet radio and other streaming options.

I listened to HDX (for comparitive purposes) when i purchased the CDX2 and preferred the latter.

i considered and NDX even then although my wife was less keen, prefering the simplicity of playing CDs against encountering network issues in my absence.

These days she doesnt listen to music so much but is becoming frustrated at the expanding CD collection so thats one driver for change in direction ????

Having vinyl as well just exasperates the issue of course.

AlanJ posted:

Having vinyl as well just exasperates the issue of course.

Yes ...I like to keep a couple of hundred albums close to the deck for convenience...yet the wife sees that as a mess ??

????