Adding ND5XS to 272 ... is it an upgrade?

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Hi

i am a bit speculating and thinking about alternative 2nd and 3rd systems :slight_smile:. Also there is friend of mine, whom I like to make a present and get him more into naim electronics.

If f you add a nd5xs (first gen - not xs2) to a 272, is this an upgrade soundwise? 272 has the same streaming platform, but inside.

Thanks

2

@drago I think the older streamer platform will present sonic and operational issues. Many people feel the never platforms are better with less hassle.

3

I know … but budget wise, that is not an option for this purpose. And for local streaming’s only the old platform performs very good. No sonic issues at all

4

I use a 1st gen ND5XS in system 2 but (I was surprised to find) - it wasn’t quite good enough even for system 2. So I take it’s coax digital output into my NDAC - and for local streaming it sounds great. However I’d expect it to only mirror the performance of 272 rather than improve it - but I haven’t tried that, so someone else may know better.

1 Like
5

In my second system nd5xs2/ndac/xps … that is great as well

2 Likes
6

We can all speculate about the potential benefits of all that digital processing taking place in a box that is separated from the analogue preamp, or any other theories, but there’s only one way to find out. Actually, two ways, as you have the choice of analogue or digital connection. Probably 200 ways by the time you’ve finished trying every cable combination you can find! Good luck.

1 Like
7

I have a 172 and think that an ND5XS would be a slight improvement, but would not expect the same on a 272. Why not a power supply on the 272?

1 Like
8

It’s a gift idea and therefore there is a budget for me :smiling_face:

9

Confused, but if you want to do it, think it will be good, and it’s legal - I say go for it.

10

Maybe I am getting into misunderstanding. Would like a naim box as a birthday present for a friend. And it’s not in range of 1k plus … 0,5k is max. Therefore my limitation…

The idea came up, when I thought about nd5xs as a donator of spare parts (that’s another story) … strange :rofl:

11

I don’t know. I have the ND5 XS2 with the 272 using the DIN connection and for sure this is a great improvement.

12

With local streaming also a great improvement?

13

I think of you as a dear friend, Drago. You might want to add me to your Christmas present list. I’m quite fussy, so cash would be best :thinking:

3 Likes
14

For the budget the 272 offers excellent SQ.

Of course it has the limitations of the gen1 platform.

I doubt an ND5XS would add much.

What power amp is being used?

1 Like
15

I only use Qobuz and Tidal. Both an improvement.

1 Like
16

It seems to me that the dac in the unit makes the most difference. In between time I used the Primare NP5 streaming bridge, using the dac of the 272. That gave a more detailed and precise sound already. Now I use the newer dac of the ND5 XS2 and the whole engagement is also much better.

1 Like