I have an NDX and the screen needs replacement. I cannot use the NDX without a screen since I want to update the firmware (for internet radio) and I need the screen to enter the wifi password after I update.
My options are to (a) get the screen fixed or (b) abandon the NDX and get a ND5XS2. The NDX is over 10 years old.
My questions are
a) How much will a new screen cost? In view of the age of the NDX does it need a service? And how much would that cost?
b) If I switch to the ND5XS2 will I notice much of a change (i.e. drop) in sound quality? I use the NDX with an nDAC and I intend to keep using the nDAC whatever I decide. I am only interested in local streaming of ripped files and internet radio.
[I know the ND5XS2 does not have a screen but I believe I can set the wifi password without one].
I had my NDX screen replaced just over a year ago, it cost £139 + £20 shipping. They did a full function check, some S/W was updated and F/W would’ve been updated if required.
You don’t need a screen to complete the new F/W update unless you want to do a factory reset, which is not nessesary.
I’m not sure what you mean about the need to enter a password, I don’t have a wifi password requirement, but whatever I don’t need to do this on NDX, any passwords are entered on the control devise.
If you run everything through your nDac, I would be inclined to upgrade to the ND5 XS2, for the improved feature set. The nDac will continue to be the device that shapes the SQ in any case as that is the DAC providing the music.
I suspect the nDac has a bigger effect on the sound than the streamer but I never tested it (I had the nDac before I bought the NDX). In any case I will probably keep the NDX since it does not sound like it will be too expensive to get repaired.
How old is your NDX? Have you updated the firmware to the recently released version 4.9, required for iRadio? The earliest versions of the NDX cannot be updated if they don’t have the 24/192 streaming board.
If the above is not a problem for you, then by all means continue to enjoy your NDX. The ND5XS2 does make a better digital source in my opinion, although if you were not using the NDAC I would say that the older NDX still beats it for sound quality as long as you can live with the reduced functionality.
Although as @Mike-B says above replacing the screen is not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things, I would suggest the nd5xs2 is quite a more capable streamer SQ wise and streamer connectivity wise.
I did enjoy my NDX, but when its screen went I traded it in for a NDX2. I used my NDX as a digital audio streamer… I simply didn’t rate its analogue audio output… and that was with or without a separate PSU.
The one area where the NDX beats the later streamers is its control automation.
Mike if he is connecting to WiFi with his NDX, rather than using Ethernet, then after a factory reset, he has to enter the SSID and WiFi password using the front panel display and the remote. You can’t do that from the app.
My NDX supports 24/192 but does not have Bluetooth (which should indicate its age). I am running 4.7 firmware and I would like to update to 4.9 (basically for iradio). I am using wifi so need the screen to enter passwords after an update. I will investigate getting the screen fixed before considering a new streamer.
I have had continual problems with wifi but an ethernet cable is not feasible. (It would involve lifting floors, chasing out walls etc). My router is in a different room and on a different floor to my hifi. So I am stuck with wifi.
I often think (in retrospect) I should have got internet cabling installed when I had the house re-wired, some years ago. But in fact, at the time, it would have been coax rather than cat so it would not have made any difference in the end.
It looks like getting the screen replaced will not be too expensive so I will try to go with that option.
If you decide to keep the NDX, I would suggest that you get a wireless extender, or better still, set up a mesh WiFi network. Put one of the devices close enough to your NDX that you can connect it with a short Ethernet patch cable.
This might have two advantages. First, you are no longer dependent on the mediocre wireless performance that the NDX has. Second, you can do the update without a screen, as you will not need to configure it for WiFi.
In the meantime you could move the NDX nearer to the router and connect to update, then put it back to the listening position. Or, temporarily run a long cable to the NDX, (runs up to 100m are OK) connect to the router to update, then disconnect.
I will investigate getting the screen fixed before I do anything. Maybe after the upgrade the wifi will work better. If not I will investigate wifi extenders and/or a mesh system. Thanks again to everyone who responded.
