I think the Linn Klimax Renew (streamer/DAC), or better still the Klimax Renew DS/1 would be a great choice. They are basically the former top end Linn Klimax streaming DACs (mark 1 & 2 respectively) in less glamourous cases.
I had an ND5 XS for a while when I decided to dip my toes in the streaming world. I loved the convenience, but I soon felt the need for a better sounding option and added the Chord Hugo for a while which definitely improved the sound quality.
The Linn Klimax Renew which replaced the ND5 XS/Hugo in my main system for a while was much better still (to my ears), and would be a good option for you. If you can find a DS/1 version of the Renew at a reasonable price, then significantly better still. Bear in mind that there would be no power supply or DAC upgrade options with the Klimax Renew - no way to plug in an external DAC.
You would have to use Linn’s Kazoo app (or Roon which I use), but I find that the Kazoo and Naim apps are pretty much of a muchness!
The only problem I can find with this option is that it would probably be next to impossible to get hold of a Klimax Renew or Renew DS/1 to compare with other options.
I also have to add that the only Naim streamer in the current range that I have heard is the ND555, so can’t comment on the ND5 X2 or NDX2. However, I can say that to my ears the Klimax Renew DS/1 should be at least on a par with the original NDS.
Me too… I’d say it’s one of the key things that attracted me to the NDX2 … really refreshing and great visual cue and informative… especially those that use the streamer not glued to am iPad… a real plus having come from the limited monochrome display of the NDX which was hard to read from any distance. Hardly surprising though as the NDX is really quite old tech compared to the NDX2… which itself is not really a spring chicken anymore.
I’d say if you can’t afford an NDX2, what about second hand? If not and you can live without the display then there is the superb ND5XS2… which I think is quite a step up on the venerable NDX including sonically in my opinion. Perhaps not surprising as the design budget in the ND5XS2 was disproportionately spent on SQ over other aspects.
Alternatively if Naim is for you focus on Naim amps, and use an alternate streamer product.
As much as I loved my NDX for many years… I really would be cautious before spending any funds buying one now… inside it is quite limited from a streaming perspective which does ultimately hold it back, and makes it relatively captive to things like network equipment and UPnP server type and media codec in terms of sound quality. Also due to its internal architecture it suffers sensitivities to TCP latency, which can mean it’s prone to dropouts when streaming from the cloud or locally via wifi… in its day when lossless cloud streaming started this was a cause of much frustration for some in the Naim design and engineering community… and in part motivated the significant changes in the later streamers.
I agree, though I’d like to have the same options for selecting music with the NDX2 remote as the pervious streamers, it’s a bit of a mystery to me why this is the case.
A big thank you for all the replies, much appreciated.
Having run a UQ1 for a year now, it has not missed a single beat in my network (since being hard wired). It runs our TV sound, plus BubbleUPnP supported streaming. I would not be at all concerned about running a gen 1 NDX as a result of that experience, there is wired ethernet to the HiFi rack.
I would like to stick with Naim, I appreciate their approach to serviceability and longevity, plus to be honest the community they support here too. I do really enjoy the SQ of the Hugo. I will try and take my time to arrange a demo of a few of the options over the coming months. I think it will come down to a combination of SQ, ease of use, and VFM in the end. I might even start by demoing a NDX2, and see what is missed as I step back “down”… I can’t see what might go wrong with that approach
@gthack I agree the Hugo has a very beguiling performance that I think matches Naim NACs/NAPs nicely - especially the higher end like the 252 or 552.
However its rendering qualities are rather different to the Naim Streamer DAC sound - so you may find it’s better to focus on Streaming transport to feed the Hugo - and then drive Naim amplification.
I think you need to consider whether you want a setup to last you or help you on your way. My own path to an NDX2 began years ago with an iMac feeding an nDAC. The Mac was replaced with a Unitiserve SSD feeding the nDAC. That was a good combination and as others have said, you now have the current equivalent sources to choose with the SSD being long gone. The NDX2 though was a good step up and then adding an XPSdr moved it on again. Either way, enjoy it
Thanks for that, it is a good point, I do not change my HiFi gear very often. I’ve had my TT for 27 years X) If a streamer lasts that long it’ll be in my last will and testament
I had much the same issue a few years ago, I tried an NDX2 in my system but decided it was too expensive for the small gain, that I perceived over my existing Naim system at that time, so I chose to buy an alternative ‘temporary’ streamer/DAC combo, a Node 2i + RME ADI-2 DAC fs. I like the BluOs user interface and the flexibility from the DAC so much I have not thought about buying an NDX2 since.
