I thought I’d share my experience of improving my streamer, so not a question, more some reflections.
My core system was this streamer with 282 / 250DR and Audiovector SR3 floorstanders. Superlumina connections, dedicated mains, Powerlines, Tellirium Q Black 2 and Brain / Brawn racks. I prefer to save up and make big changes. The streamer has been ‘the weakest link’ so I resolved to improve this but I wanted to stay with the Naim platform.
Attended demos with three dealers, in all cases starting with my streamer and then trying options. Rest of the system didn’t match mine but used Naim amps and ‘similar’ speakers. The goal was to narrow the field and then try at home. Significant budget but not enough to reach 555 level (!). If the improvement I heard didn’t justify expenditure, I was clear I would stick with my current system and spend my money on something else.
All three dealers were great. Very patient and offered some great advice. All emphasised the limitations of their set-ups for my purposes and offered the loan of equipment. My chosen options were:
Keep the ND5 XS2 and / or add a DAC - I listened to a Chord TT2 as I was interested in their ‘sound’ and people on the forum whose opinions I value really rate their products.
Buy a 333 - new or used. No funds for a power supply at present.
Buy a NDX 2. Depending on cost, with a view to stepping up with a 555 DR PS in a few months.
To keep this readable, thoughts to follow in next post.
Following on from above, usual caveats about my ears etc …. :
Chord TT2 improved the streamer. Not as much as I was expecting and not, to me, a significantly different presentation to the Naim alone. It was available pre-loved so price was attractive but not the significant step up I was looking for.
Naim 333 was good. Clear improvement over my streamer but sounded much better with one dealer’s speakers (Audiovector) than the other (Spendor). Possibly just my liking for the speakers dominated! Separation was very good, sounded ‘cleaner’ and I could hear how it would appeal to a ‘new buyer’. Good pace but possibly sounded a bit congested with processed rock - eg Muse. Brilliant with Tori Amos, Einaudi and some Queen.
NDX2. I tried this when I bought my original streamer but the price difference at that time was large and wasn’t justified. This again was better than my streamer - PRAT was great and the definition at lower frequencies superb - bass, bass drum and synth bass clarity on the Editors EBM album was obvious. It was a demo unit so at a good price. From the demos, this was the winner.
Took the 333 and NDX2 home for the long weekend. Listened extensively with Snow Dog to a wide variety of music in our system. Great fun and much scotch was consumed by us both. Snow Dog much preferred the 333, I stuck with the NDX 2. Both are great and it then became a personal preference. In our system, the gap was much smaller but at less than half price we bought the NDX 2 and I know I am a long way toward the next upgrade, when a tempting offer comes available.
In conclusion, I considered buying via EBay as I would have saved some funds. However I really appreciated the advice, support and facilities of all the dealers I visited and I feel the additional cost was justified. I know that some members do not have the luxury of a range of accommodating dealers to visit so I feel very lucky and don’t mind paying for the peace of mind I gained. Off to play more music. Thanks for indulging me.
I am sure you will love the NDX2 in the context of your system - I am very fond of mine in a similar system to yours and have run it for several years. And, as I and many others have said, being able to add a 555 PS DR to it at some point provides you with the ability to get far more out of your lovely new streamer. Enjoy!
I bought an ND5 XS2 and then added an Ndac and the improvement was obvious. I’ve since added an XPSDR to the Ndac and I feel I have an end game system for my ears. FWIW the amp is a Nait 50.
Thanks @cdboy - this is almost the same advice that one of the dealers gave me. His view was a SuperCap DR next but they are quire rare second hand. I am considering improving my pre first but would probably step up to a 552 - assuming I can find one. Why ‘mess around’ on the way?
The typical prices I have been quoted show pre-loved PS, and the 552, are in the same cost area while my power amp wouldn’t be too much of a bottle neck on a longer journey. I will wait and see which of these comes up first.