Totally agree
I initially had the CD5XS by itself. Pretty good as a stand alone.
Then used as transport into the nDAC, excellent jump in SQ
Icing on the cake was adding the XPS-2 to nDAC
3 boxes yes but worth it , great enjoyment
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I run my nDAC with an olive XPS that I “borrowed” from my CDX.
I now need another XPS………hmmm, how to swing that past the Finance Director!
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My two cents-
Look for a p.l 555ps (none dr) it’s worth every penny!
I’ve tried the xps olive/2/dr and they didn’t done it to me.
this p.s and the Ndac made to each other
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nDAC on its own is very good. Adding a power supply takes it to a different level.
Like others, I was underwhelmed with the XPS2. The 555PS is simply absurdly priced IMO.
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really?
Never heard of and never would have crossed my mind such thinking , the nDAC/XPS2 makes wonders in an appropriate set-up
You sure it was a genuine, unmolested unit etc?
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I can’t speak to the XPS2(non-dr) but the XPS-DR with a properly “massaged” Burndy is far from underwhelming. (My system/room, brain/ears etc)
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As someone who has been with Naim since 1983, you may safely assume it was set up correctly.
To me, the XPS2 was underwhelming, and relative to the 555PS. YMMV.
Have you changed your mind or still relying on others’ ears?
As my initial query was relating to any requirement for my nDAC to retain a 240v supply @marcusman should I add an XPS 2 then yes my query has been answered as to the ensuing discussion about the merits of adding one and the relative of sound quality improvements compared to adding a 555PS then yes I am confused.
I am not sure what a 555 goes for second hand but I suspect considerably more than a XPS 2 which seem to go for about £1500 on the bay so a 555 would be a bit out of my league cost wise anyway and would probably be overkill in my humble CD5 XS, nDAC, XS2 and Neat Motive SX 2 system.
For what they are worth (and please feel free to comment) my thoughts long term for my system would be to optimise my CD front end (I have no desire to go down the streaming rabbit hole) with the addition of a power supply to the nDAC then switch the XS2 for a new or second hand SN3 and then replace the Motives with something like the Neat Ekstra’s or PMC Twenty5 23i and that apart from some potential upgrades to my LP12 would be me done with what I hope would be my final and ultimate system unless I had a win on the lottery.
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That sounds like a very good approach. The nDAC is still a very capable piece of kit (especially with a PS upgrade) and will work very nicely with the SN3. Also the nDAC, with its multiple digital inputs, still opens up the option of adding a streaming device in the future, just incase you ever want to go this way…
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And the CD5XS sounds pretty great all by itself, if it comes to that.
Nick
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I made the various steps over time: nDAC, then XPS, then two powerlines and then DR update for XPS2. Each step has always improved the sq.
do not hesitate and over time add two powerlines as well: nDAC maintains power for the digital sections and the clock
Same experience here - although I have not got round to DR on the XPS2 yet. A treat in store!
do it as soon as you can, the leap forward is really very appreciable. It takes about two weeks always on to stabilize, at the beginning the bass is very present but with little balance, then everything settles down and I can’t imagine how a 555PS can still improve the system
The digital section of DAC chip and the clock are powered from the external PSU.
A clean power supply to the clock is critical. I wouldn’t be surprised if power to the clock is from a dedicated Capacitor/regulator in the PSU.
I’ve used an olive XPS on the Ndac, sound quality wasn’t improved that much.
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I had nDac + Nait XS + HiCap when adding a preloved 555 to the nDac.
As far as I remember there was an uplift in sound quality, but not as big as to justify the outlay in the context of the system.
I knew I would upgrade the rest of the system over the years, so the 555 was justified in a way, but in case you stick with your amp, I‘m not sure a power supply for the nDac is the best investment.
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This is my next step. Glad to hear adding another Powerline improves things even more.
Please let us know how you get on ?
Good luck
KR
R
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