Good morning everyone, I wanted the usual impartial advice from you on the forum: I would like to replace my ND5XS with an Eversolo T8 transport… in your valuable opinion, am I making the right choice??? I would like to point out that the Naim was serviced by an authorized service center 5 years ago… thanks and best regards to everyone.
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I was intrigued by this. I haven’t heard either but I’m familiar with Naim kit, having used it for many years, so I know its core strengths. If it were me I wouldn’t be looking to change an ND5XS to anything other than a better Naim box with your Supernait. There is a real synergy between Naim products. At best I imagine it will be a sideways move. But you may prefer the sound of the T8, who knows?
It’s impossible for anyone to tell you if you’re making the right choice, because that depends entirely on why you’re doing it and how you find the resultant performance if you change. I’ve just given you my gut feelings but they’re personal to me. If I were in your position then there’s no way I would do it unless I heard it first and knew I preferred it.
Ask a dealer if you can try one, or buy one online and try it out, you can return within a window if it’s not right based on distance selling rules.
In my own experience it’s not as good as my Auralic Aries G1.1 (which is head and shoulders the best streamer I’ve had) sonically but it is a lot more convenient for others in the house given its touchscreen and app availability…
An ND5XS2 is an excellent choice but no screen.
It’s a big uplift from ND5XS and maintains synergy with Naim.
Many use it with the nDAC and 555PSDR. I used it with NDS and 555PS. So you can pair it with other DACs such as DAVE also.
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Presumably you intend to retain ND5XS as a DAC? T8 will be an upgrade in streaming versatility and functionality for sure, and IMHO also in SQ terms. I own both of these items btw. A better DAC would be my next move.
I have a T8 - M Scaler - Qutest - Nait 5si and the SQ is excellent I couldn’t be happier. Especially with the SFP fibre network connection! The UI is superb too.
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Hi @tarantina5555, I’m not 100% clear whether you are planning to replace the ND5XS (as you say) in which case you will need a new DAC as well as a transport, or use the Eversolo transport into the DAC of the ND5XS. And is your SuperNait a SN1 (which includes a DAC) or SN2/3? And, roughly, what budget do you have available?
More info will lead to more helpful recommendations.
Roger
Sorry if I expressed myself badly, my ND5xs is connected to an NDAC, I would only get the T8 for the new DSD and HD files. Thanks again everyone
Even with an external Naim dac, a non Naim transport won’t give you the Naim sound, even if the results can be very good.
Some said that for the Limitree bridge into Nds, it’s my experience with Lumin U2 mini with Nds as dac.
I however like the sound of Lumin into Naim dac , but I am glad to use my bare Nds to stream local files and have the Naim sound.
All depends if you want to preserve the Naim sound or not.
Some have the Primare NP5 and are happy. Other the Wim Pro.
PS: I know a guy who will not be happy that I quote other experiences, not saying about reviews. 
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If you have an nDAC even more reason to get an ND5XS2. If you can get an XPS2 if you can’t afford a 555 PSDR.
You won’t be disappointed.
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O thought the “Naim sound” came from the amplifier, possibly primarily the pre-? I had an ND5XS, and it sounded very similar to the non-Naim CD player that’s it replaced.
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I tried the Limetree Bridge with NDS and 555PS. It sounded good but not like Naim.
Keeping it all Naim improves synergy.
I tried various things with firmware issues.
An ND5XS2 is a great machine.
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Mate of mine tried the eversolo - didn’t like it
He ended up with a Whim and using it with high end gear ( not Naim)
Try and keep all components as Naim
Another mate has ND5XS2 with nDAC he loves it and I’ve heard it - sounds great - well it would as it was my nDAC ha !!
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I agree with you. It just won’t be Naim. I’m glad you have stuck with your NDS and found ways to get the best out of it!
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He hooked Lumin to it so he’s still unfaithful 
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I find it very enjoyable to have 2 sounding characters. For certain kind of music I wonder if I don’t prefer Lumin as transport. I think they are on the same level, I can’t say one is better, but more different. I have a preference for Naim, but the Lumin is more refined and the details and separation of instruments are clearer. But the Naim has that visceral character more pronounced, it’s more weighty and imposing.
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Which is why I have 2 CDP’s…
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In that case the ND5XS2 would be the way to go IMO and as Dan suggests. The nDAC is sensitive to what is feeding it and staying all Naim makes a lot of sense.
Roger
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