NDS, NDX2, 555PS comparison

Hi all.

Has anyone had experience with an NDS with a 555ps dr and a NDX2 with a 555ps dr

I have an NDS powered by a 555ps dr and thinking of swapping it out for a NDX2.

How does SQ compare?

Thanks

I did some years ago. NDS won. Easily. Put a great streamer on the NDS instead :+1:

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The ND5XS2 which has the same streaming board and internal power supply as the NDX2 (as verified by an owner of both - discussed in another thread), could be a low cost way to get the more recent streaming features into your NDS/PS555DR. Probably less cost than the top up to trade your NDS. ie …Connect ND5XS2 to NDS/PS555DR

I use a similar combination ND5XS2/nDAC/PS555DR which is a very musical and relaxing, whilst engaging at the same time.

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I did exactly that - swapped out my 2018 NDS for a 2024 NDX2, both powered by the same 555dr ps. Beggar all difference in my system and certainly not enough that I could care less about. In fact, I found the sound to be less forward and fatiguing with the NDX2. Rest of the system is 282/HCdr/250dr/proac d30rs. Have a read of Andrew Everard’s NDX2 review in hifinews - he had an NDS and felt there was minimal difference.

Good luck!

Django84, given the significant expenditure on your NDX2 and PS555DR resulting in fatiguing listening.

You might be able to overcome this with the marginal extra cost of inserting an nDAC externally powered by your PS555DR, and just use your NDX2 as a streamer only into the nDAC/PS555DR

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Hi Dugby - the foibles of language! I meant the sound was less forward and less fatiguing with the NDX2 (v NDS). Apologies for the confusion!

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This does sound excellent to be honest!

However, as others have suggested if the driver here is to get HiRes radio and Tidal Connect etc. then adding an external streamer to the NDS would be the way to go. Plenty threads about people using WiiM/Primaire/Limetree with NDS. If funds allow, or system automation is important, then an ND5XS2 would do the trick.

We preferred nDAC/555 to NDX2/555 for DAC duties, and I don’t recall anyone stepping back from an NDS to NDX2.

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I agree that the loss of system automation would be a bit of a deal breaker for me.

If the NDX2 has no automation capability, does this mean Naim have abandoned the automation on the newer streamer/amp equipment also?
If so, does it not reduce the app to solely a streaming platform?

NDX2 has automation.

Controls our 252 just fine.

We don’t really use the naim app. Most of our listening is Tidal Connect.

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All Naim streamers have system automation and can control volume and input selection on the preamp. The New Classic (333/332) does it without a cable, and can also turn the power amp on and off using an optical cable.

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Yes, sorry, I misread your message as “unless system integration is important”
:confounded_face:

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