ND5 XS2 vs CD on Star

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi, just want to check whether anybody knows if the sound of streamed music on the ND5 XS2 will sound better or about the same than a CD played on my Star. I’m having to finally admit that I’m listening to most new music via Qobuz, usually hi-res, streamed via my Star!
It sounds good when fed through my 282/250 set up, but CDs still sound better. All on Mana supports. (LPs on the LP12 is still sound the best though!).
Thanks
Best wishes Amer

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It might help to know what CD player you have? My ND5XS2 pretty much matches my CDX which now rarely gets used

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Hi GadgetMan, It’s not separate but in the one in the Star.

1 Like
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I’d expect it to be at least as good and almost certainly better. Presumably streaming is very much a second source, because the NDX2 is a better match with the quality of the rest of the system.

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Thanks for your comments Hungry and Gadget, given me a positive steer on what to do. Best wishes Amer

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I agree with HH given the quality of the rest of your system the NDX2 is a better fit.
With the Star in your current system you have a redundant amp/pre amp if only using it for streaming/Cd replay. An alternative to the NDX2 could be a ND5XS2 combined with a second hand Naim CD player, quite a few on the market, this might satisfy both your objectives. If you find a dealer with both trading your Star might be a good way forward.

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Thanks glasnaim, I also got the Star because I listen to a lot of radio, both FM and DAB, so it was a neat way to get all those facilities in on box. It is a Naim so it sounds good, true could be better, but my set up is very tight so can’t have more boxes. I can only contemplate the NDX2 because it’s a slim box and will fit between the Mana base and shelves above, so it will sit on a decent support! Best wishes Amer

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I understand Amer I have a Nova in one system and have had a Star at one time in another, so I appreciate how flexible these units are, with a great sound also.
I was commenting solely on the basis of you considering a ND5XS2 and missing CD replay, sometimes the best thing is to do nothing.

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