I was afraid of explaining and mentioning at The first place
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I am having the first serious listen since I installed the NDX5 XS2 and all I can say is that I am astonished it has made such a difference.
Which FW do you run on ND5XS2
3.10.1 (5617). If that is the correct set of numbers. I bought previously owned from a dealer
After extended listening I realised that I was getting ear fatigue. The sound is overly bright and not pleasant. So I then did an A/B comparison using the NDS without the NDX5 XS2 as a transport and I found the SQ preferable, less impressive in PRaT and sound stage but more engaging. So my initial euphoria turned to disappointment. On thing is for certain the ātransportā makes a big difference to SQ.
The brightness could be because I have not yet received my DC1 cable so am using an inferior one. 6 weeks to deliver a cable! Or it could be the Fw which I have just read up on in the thread. Hopefully it is the cable but reading the update thread I am pessimistic.
Anyway I have now shelved my thoughts on buying a second PS 555 as I am disappointed in the SQ.
If one gets listening fatigue out of an NDS it must be something else being overly bright IMO. Maybe itās the FW of ND5XS2 as with FW on ND555. If not then something is not right. Some also have hearing issues being over sensitive to sound. Iāve seen a couple on here that had to move away from Naim to get something that is less forward to get to a point where there ears can relax and enjoy music.
You might want to try Audirvana straight into NDS too. It takes NDS to the next level but still keeps the DNA of presentation to the original presentation (adding more air, flow, layers etc).
Hi, the NDS on its own is wonderful, it is when I use the NDX5 XS2 as a transport that the brightness occurs. So it is definitely not the NDS but the NDX5 XS2, which in turn can be the cable as I donāt have the DC1 yet, or the firmware as others describe it, which is what I am hearing.
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Welcome to FW suffering.
The SQ will change when a bridge is added - certainly it will. Limetree is the one preferred here. If I need to ge bridge I will think about innous as I like the sense app a lot.
The brightness is from recent fw on nd5xs2. Prat and soundstage seems to be better but when listended carefully itās fully there - plus engaging organic textured sound.
Dc1 will be better - but I think the brightness will stay
Audirvana is another option I need to try.
@Blackbird
Audirvana better on MacBook with m1 or on synology nas 918?
I bought the NDX5 XS2 to use with Roon and RAAT with 3 Musos, as the NDS with Sonore bridge was too unstable and would not stream hi resolution files.
Hopefully Naim will update Fw, it is amazing to me how much the NDX5 XS2, when used as just a transport, influences the SQ.
Additionally, the latest Fw update broke the sync for the RAAT on the Musos, I know this as I have 2 Musos which work perfectly whereas the one with the new software does not. I have sent in a detailed report to Naim 2 weeks ago but not heard anything back yet. I am considering selling the muso that doesnāt work as I am so disappointed, especially as I have heard nothing.
So understanding the problem with the NDX5 XS2 is Fw, coupled with the other Fw problem described above, I am considerably disillusioned, add to that being quoted 4-6 weeks for a DC1 cable. Not a good picture.
I use an Innuos Zenith (and PN switch) with my NDS and agree the sense app is excellent.
Gary
Thankyou for sharing your current experiences.
I have a similar setup:
ND5xs2/DC1/nDAC/PS555DR with Core accessed by UPnP on ethernet.
ND5xs2 has FW 3.10.1
Also have a Bentley Edition Mu-so 2 (FW4.4.1) for night-time slumber. This is an awesome night time wind-down Naim solution, just so rhythmically musical and calming.
I listen to predominantly Jazz with female vocals / Mellow contemporary often 4-6 hrs/day. Lots of Naim (HD) IR and also from my Core - audiophile XRCD and similar.
I have not yet experienced the complaints of 3.10 or 3.10.1 and donāt suffer listening fatigue.
I am watching your write ups as I expect that one day for redundancy purposes, I may have to also get an NDS. I will be interested to see how you go with 3.11 in the ND5xs2
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Thanks for the interest. I think I will open a new thread, so it can be found more easily, to describe my experiences.
I love the Musos, having synchronised music moving from room to room is sublime.
The only minor complaint on the sleep timer of the muso is that it doesnāt fade, just stops abruptly. Surely an easy sw fix.
I think it unlikely that the DC1 will tame the glare you experience. If anything it might make it worse as it tends to be quite transparent.
Oh dear. I guess I have to hope that the 3.11 solves the problem, otherwise I do not know what I will do.
@drago I am not sure what you mean by a ābridgeā here. My goal is to have the NDX5 XS2ās Roon ready functions for RAAT multi-room synchronised playing. Maybe I should look elsewhere for a Roon ready transport.
(Streaming)Bridge = Transport = nd5xs2 in your case
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Lindemann Bridge II (not the Network model) is a great option which cost around 400 EUR used and 900EUR new. Roon, Qobuz, Tidal Connect, Lindemanns own app etc. Iāve had good result with Lumin too.
@drago Thanks
Hi, I use my NDS with the SonoreUPnP and can stream up to 24/192 without issue. It is a great way of integrating Roon to the NDS, leveraging the optimized UPnP ethernet input of the NDS, with off-board processing for management of the local library, internet-based streaming sources, internet Radio stations and any formats not supported by the NDS, e.g. DSD128 & above, DXD etc.
I have also added a 2nd Power supply to the NDS, and it does make a difference.
My first supply is a 555DR, the second is not.
I use the original Burndy cable set that came with the NDS.
I donāt use Naim Powerlines with these supplies. The provision for the Analogue circuitry (Socket2) uses a Harmonic Technology Magic Reference (silver strands for Live & Neutral, copper for the Earth, with Furutech Mains and IEC, with Synergistic Purple Fuse). The Digital circuitry (Socket1) and the 555DR supply uses a Furutech FP-3TS20 Silver Plated copper cable also with Furutech Mains and IEC, with Synergistic Purple Fuse.
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@Blackbird would these give me RAAT with the Musos I wonder? Playing hi resolution is important to me. I guess it would be if it is Roon Ready.