I know the same topic has been covered for many times (indeed I read those and bought mine) but I just want to share my experience.
I went the other way around – I bought my used NDac earlier this year for listening while working. Feed into 32.5/HC/250/Kan and had a great result. With a Bluesound Node 2021 as transport it sounds vastly superior than my previous Linn Numerik – full, weighty, realistic, organic and analogue-like, great timing, the bass and drum are addictive. Many said CB does need a LP12 but NDac proved itself a very capable digital source and could drive my Kan Scanspeak full.
But last week after the firmware update BS once again messed up the sound – fake mid-high enhanced hifi sound, the lovely Naim low ends gone. I’m and bought a used ND5XS2 impulsively along with a DC1. I’m like many other members, I’m skeptical about what impact a streamer could make though I read many posts. On my way back to the studio I regretted not set a XPS2 as priority.
It sounded meh when first startup, cause I messed up with the chassis/floating thing (XS2
should set as floating and NDac as chassis). Once got everything right the crazy thing happened.
When I listened to sad song, not only great music, but there is sadness in the air, felt myself a bit moved, my girlfriend felt it as well. Listened to Stan Getz+Chet Baker’s I’m Old Fashioned I heard how Chet controlling his voice and the emotion behind him etc. To put it simple I hear not only the typical Naim’s music thing but also the emotion, maybe all the micro dynamic of music are well retained and well amplified in the signal chain.
The same thing happened to me last year, only with Naim – when I home visited a veteran HiFi lover. He got 32+Snaps+BD250+Kan, feed with Philips CD303 CD player that came with TDA1541 chips. The 2 hrs demo got me into vintage Naim and sold all my Accuphase. But it only happened with good digital source, never had that with my pre-cirkus LP12.
I don’t know if it’s part of the chrome bumper magic, or magic of R2R Dac. I’m truly delighted with ND5XS2+Dac.
I have an ND5XS2 and NDac in what is my second system. Feeding into either a NAC 72 or currently a 62, then an Olive 250 and finally some Neat Petite Classics. I could easily live with this as my primary setup.
I had an ND5XS2 about five years ago and sold it for the NDX2. And yes, an NDX2 is better than a bare ND5XS2. But with care, an ND5XS2 and NDac can be found for close to £2000.
Great that you achieved such good results with ND5XS2+NDac. I use the same combination and the NDac has massively improved the sound of the ND5XS2. In comparison, the ND5XS2 sounds a bit flat and edgy. I achieved further improvement by using an Olive XPS power supply with the NDac. Olive XPS are fairly inexpensive to buy, but they should be recapped. The difference isn’t as big as adding the NDac, but it’s immediately noticeable with more silence, less noise, and more precision in the bass and treble. It’s a killer combo with Naim sound that can compete with much more expensive equipment. But even without the XPS, the ND5XS2 is a great combination. Enjoy
Cheers, exactly like you, more than happy just have the combination as my main source, such a pleasure listening to them! Not to say a great way to explore new jazz albums…
Hi Wilfried, thanks a lot for the comments, Yes I’m very interested to know what impact the XPS would add to the already great combination (but obviously 2-boxes source is a bit too much for space) and thanks a lot for the answer! If the sound would get even more full bodied, weighty and earthy, will definitely go for a xps later.
And yes same to my experience. ND5XS2 along sounds edgy and comparatively lower resolution. Maybe like a Dac V1. With NDac it’s organic sounding, just wanna turn it louder and louder without fatiguing. It’s extra enjoyable with jazz albums mainly with bass. Ron Carter and Christian Mcbride ‘s albums sounds phenomenal…
Optimizing the system bit by bit is a journey. It’s part of the hobby, and I’ve learned a lot in the forum. I bought the Olive XPS on impulse after the dealer showed it to me. It was an opportunity. But it also has consequences that need to be considered. I needed an extra level in the Fraim rack and now have a lot more cables. My Furutech power distributor is now fully occupied with 6 connections. The XPS only supplies the analog stage on the NDac, so two power cables are required (one on XPS and one on NDac for the digital side). ND5XS2 + NDac is already a great combination—enjoy!
Where would one look for a pre-loved nDAC? Or any other Naim products for that matter. I am in The Netherlands and there is not much available on Dutch sites.
The Flea Bay
Specialist resellers, known for pre-loved Naim, for example
2nd hand HiFI
Tom Tom Audio
Otherwise, keep looking on all the local Naim Dealer websites, they come up from time to time. Maybe brought in as part exchange from their existing customers
Hope that helps ?
R
Update : just checked the Flea Bay and see one for sale now, @ £899. Good luck
Okay
Use key word search " NAIM DAC " - with HiFi Shark - shows several available across EU.
Again, good luck
R
@whatu1tme2b - Update : Just seen a nice 2014 build nDAC, (all accessories and original packaging) - with HiFiCinema - a UK local NAIM dealer. See their “Used Equipment” pages.
When you start to look, there’s plenty to see.
Good luck.
hifi dot nl also has a second hand section which is not included in HiFi Shark. It’s worth to have a look from time to time.
Local dealer websites also have second-hand sections which are not always caught by HiFishark. So it doesn’t hurt to search around.
Julius, congratulations on the ND5xs2 / nDAC combination.
An external power supply to the nDAC will elevate your complete system, as-if you upgraded every component in your system. It’s just so very more musical and enjoyable & life-like. I play guitar every week in a jazz group, so I am familiar with what life-like can be.
My recommendations for
Jazz-
Korean OST of “One Spring Night”, recording of Carla Bruni singing “Spring Waltz”.
XRCD recording of Jacintha ( Here’s to Ben )
XRCD recording of Jacintha ( Autumn Leaves )
Female vocal-
XRCD recording of Shelly ( Soul Rose )
XRCD recording of Shelly ( Snow Rose )
I listen through ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR & 32.5(72cards)/HC/250 (all CB) and thoroughly enjoy Naim IR (ALR and Jazz Groove).
I have ND5XS2, nDac (bare at the mo’) into NAIT 50. Sounds sublime. In the scheme of things a low cost system at current rates punching miles above its price point.
