Is it a good buy if you ignore the price? Just compare the products not the price difference. The reason why I make fun of you is because you think the price is property of the thing (but it’s not).
That is fine logic provided you compare the small matter of how they sound, rather than paper specifications or DAC chips.
You have never heard the NDS so how can you reach any conclusion as to what it is worth or how it compares to several other products that, as far as I can tell, you have not auditioned either?
Or maybe I am wrong
That’s a really good question, and most people here will not be able to answer it without using vague audiophile terms such as ‘musical’ or ‘engaging’.
In a technical sense, a new €2000 DAC has lower jitter and measures more linearly than a NDS, so that could be an objective way to describe it as ‘better’.
Another option is to describe specific features or the upgradeability of a device to determine what is better. The Matrix DAC for instance has a user selectable filter, which is great, since you don’t have to rely on a single filter that is chosen by the manufacturer, such as with the NDS.
But once you fall back to vague terms like PRaT or musicality, then an objective comparison isn’t really possible anymore.
If you are not taking price into account, the concept of a ‘good buy’ is meaningless.
I have heard an ndx2 earlier today. And compared it to the lumin and auralic. All sound great, just have different features and user experience. So if we assume the nds sounds as great as the ndx2 just with lesser user experience, it is still not worth it (imho). Just buy the lumin, or auralic.
Its easy. User experience, features, sexiness, sound quality or simply objective measurments. No need for a price to determine better.
I think I would agree. Although I was thinking about the car analogy when I ‘asked’ the question…
The key word in that post is ‘assume’.
Well. If you are able to select equipment with no compromises, you are not in the same position as the rest of us, who generally have to compromise somewhere on cost, functionality, or sound quality. I’m glad you have an unlimited budget.
I guess it’s more or less the same… we can talk about how a new car is technically better, but if a potential buyer has a stronger emotional reaction to how an older Volvo looks or sounds, there isn’t really a discussion possible.
Yes. I used to run Italian cars when no-one else wanted them…
Its amazing how you get it backwards. You can get amazing sounding, feature rich and sexy stuff for 2k right now. Don‘t need to get stuff that was worth 10k for 2k and think you are better off.
I prefer better SQ so it’d be a good buy for me regardless of price.
But there is no such thing as ‘better’ sound quality, only taste and emotional preference.
Think wine or whiskey, more expensive doesn’t mean it’s better quality.
This has got me thinking. I’m awaiting for new stock of the NDX2 to come in, but I’m wondering whether I’d get better SQ from a P/L NDS. I’m only using Tidal at present. I already have a 555DR. Rest of system is 252/SC + 300.
Has anyone compared NDX2 and NDS with 555DR?
NDS:
Amazing sound: check (edit: big check)
Features: Check -1, but still check
Sexy (WTF?): check
Based on experience Naim price their products on sound quality and with only a handful of exceptions over the last few decades higher price = improved sound which is why we all upgrade!
Bottom line is NDS sounds mighty fine - c2k is still a lot of money so for the OP go and have a listen, if it floats your boat then go for it. I’m a believer in the old saying “price is soon forgotten if quality remains” I can’t remember what I paid for my used NDS and I’m perfectly happy with it.
Gary
It certainly does with wine. If you get very cheap wine, nearly all the cost is duty, VAT, the bottle, distribution and profit. The wine in a £5 bottle costs about 10p. Step up in price and quality improves enormously. Whether you prefer it is something else, but it’s better wine.
Perfect way to close this thread - let’s all going have a glass of our favourite wine!
Yes i agree, let’s say that above a certain price point, the objective quality doesn’t really increase anymore.
Diminishing returns etc…
I didn’t really mean a £5 bottle of wine, but perhaps the difference between a £50 and £500 bottle.