A dummy asks: How to connect CD player to nDAC

Hi-Fi Corner
1

I didn’t get a manual when I bought my used nDAC, and the online guides I’ve found don’t really answer my questions. So, with apologies in advance, here goes:

My system is ND5XS2 → nDAC → Supernait 2 → Hi-Cap DR → Neat Motive SX1

Do I connect a CDP directly to the nDAC or does it go somewhere else in the chain?

Is it simply a question of placing an interconnect between the units, or are there any other buttons or switches that need to be activated?

I’ve read often here about the versatility of the nDAC. What else can be connected to it?

Anyone have links to a comprehensive manual or articles that get deep into the nDAC’s capabilities?

Many thanks

2

If the CDP has a digital output you can connect it to the nDac.

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If your cd player has a digital out, it can be connected to the DAC. Either digital coax or optical.

However, the digital output of the cd player needs to be high quality, otherwise it won’t sound so good.

If it doesn’t have digital out. Connect it to the amp.

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Thanks for the pdf

5

This is a brief list of the many ways our nDAC has been used, in our house

  1. Apple Music, from various Apple devices, using front USB port.
  2. Streaming music video, like YouTube - and music - from an iPad, using front USB port
  3. Universal disc players - watching movies - playing SACD or DVD-A, using S/PDIF on rear panel
  4. Connected to TV - watch Glastonbury concert - long weekend, using optical on rear panel
  5. Naim CD5 XS - CD player - connected via DC1 on rear panel
  6. Naim ND5 XS2 - Streamer - connected via DC1 on rear panel

Hopes that’s all interesting…
Happy listening
R

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6

For these two, be sure that the digital output of the connected source device is set to 2 channel PCM and not multichannel bitstream - the DAC is 2 channel and cannot handle a multichannel bitstream signal.

Also note that disc players will usually limit the digital output of DVD-A discs via s/pdif, and will usually only pass the 16bit CD layer of an SACD.

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If the quality of the CD player digital out isn’t very good, it will probably be better to route the digital signal through ND5XS2 onto the Ndac.

Assuming the ND5XS2 digital output is better than the CD player.

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I would add: early Mac Mini via good quality optical. Much better than it had any right to be.

Roger

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Agreed, enjoyed that gig too.