So what I thought were recent categorical statements that Naim could no longer service any Superlines and may not be able to repair no -working ones must have been imaginary…
Indeed ! I had the xpsdr running with ndx but the ndx2 / xps dr is much better
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Okay I haven’t met Dave or much of the other stuff mentioned on here but I repeat I’ve had the NDX2/555 for 4 months now and for the first time I’m enjoying digital replay on equal terms with vinyl.
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I think that message in April was warming us up to the final message about not servicing superlines and NDSs
I’ll check back - you may well be right. In an event, and without wanting to redirect this thread unhelpfully, the situation is not quite what the above quote suggests.
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They have certainly not said that they cannot repair. Indeed, they have said quite the opposite, that they CAN repair. It’s just there’s not a set service routine as per some other Naim items where all certain components are swapped out regardless. Just the components that are faulty or out of spec get changed. This is to minimise the higher risk of PCB track damage that can occur with removing so many components on these products.
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I have no idea of the merit or otherwise of statements from Naim, I do know that my once solid confidence in spending large sums of money on Naim is somewhat eroded by their actions seemingly after blending with another company…
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This thread makes for interesting reading. Like the OP, iahve an NDX and have been mulling over the idea of going for the NDX2, largely for improved Tidal Connect integration and improvements outlined by @Simon-in-Suffolk.
The discounts being offered in the UK for what is now discontinued product, would make the switch appealing. Except here in NZ those who have stock are still selling them at NZ$13,300 (GBP6k), which is hard to accept considering (a) the pricing being offered in the UK and (b) the current status of the brand in NZ.
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Don’t get me started, remind me of buying CDS3/XPS, following empty wallet and soon after a doorstop, a very expensive one.
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Do it. I doubt you’ll regret it. Money is meaningless in the grand scheme of things… 
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I never had the NDS or the NDX, but I went from an ND5xs2 to an NDX2 and the XPSDr power supply and I felt the SQ improvement to be significant. I also moved to the Chordc EpicX level of cables which added even more improvements.
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A2A have them listed for $9,299 on their web site, though they were lower than that a while ago.
Till now you have made service to avoid damage and repair. Now you wait till it fails and then you repair.
The tantalum capacitors inside say NDS seems to have quite a long life span.
Perplexity AI says:
Tantalum capacitors have a relatively long lifespan, but their longevity can vary depending on several factors:
Operational Lifetime
Tantalum capacitors can last for a considerable time when used properly:
Polymer tantalum capacitors can achieve an operational lifetime of up to 20 years. Some users report tantalum capacitors functioning well after 37 years in audio equipment. It’s important to note that while tantalum capacitors can last for decades, they are not immune to failure. Some engineers have observed that even dry electrolyte tantalum capacitors may have a lifespan of about 30-40 years, similar to other types of electrolytics.
One can also wonder what Naim will do if ONE cap blows up. Will they try to swap all tantalum caps then since they are reaching EOL or just the one that broke.. There are a few inside.. (all yellow ones)
Thanks Richard. I think mine was serviced in about 2017, which may partly explain my memory failure.
On a more relevant point for this thread, I can agree that ND5XS2 is a good streaming source, but can be improved (see nDAC comments). ND5XS2 works well with 82/HC/250 - several of us felt the NDX2 was only marginally better, but it was better. If buying at today’s prices, I would probably have NDX2 instead in this system too.
I can also agree that NDX2 is noticeably better than ND5XS2 if using 52/252 or 552, as we do in Wimbledon, and that some reckon the difference well worth paying for even if using ‘only ‘ an SN3.
Adding the XPSDR to a NDX2 makes it better still - as with swapping the streamers themselves, the difference was clear with 52 and bigger with 552.
I still have not compared the PS options.
Servicing and SQ are not the only differences to consider. ND5XS2 has no screen or remote control (not that I care). More important perhaps is that the older platform will become harder/impossible to update eventually and that it does not include Qobuz. Whether that matters will depend on how you use your streamer.
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The current Naim maintenance policy for most items aims to prevent failure and restore them to their design conditions.i.e. routine service. However, their inability to service some items is due to inadequate or poorly conceived design.
For some items, this is beyond their direct control, such as a lack of supply of CD mechanisms. However, in the case of the SuperLine, the PCB design does not easily allow desoldering. I also understand that some early SuperLine PCBs become brittle and are easily damaged.
I understand that Naim can repair broken items, but many customers are willing to pay to prevent failure and maintain their equipment as close to its original design as possible—a key feature that attracted them to Naim in the first place.
It’s an intresting question you pose. Fix the defect or fix the defect and the others that are due to fail next? The latter is bordering on preventative maintenance.
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You will run out the door shouting “Start the car” when you look carefully at the A2A prices. That’s why I chose an ND5xs2 over the NDX2 for my existing nDAC/PS555DR.
Even better was that my local dealer price matched and gave me the full 2yr Naim warranty.
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Yes, I saw that. However, the price needs to be taken in the context of the red “one year warranty” and “only available online” words that appear next to it. Even then I still feel it’s expensive, especially given the history.
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as per my previous append -
Even better was that my local dealer price matched and gave me the full 2yr Naim warranty.
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How long ago was that, and who was the dealer?
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October 2024 - Surround Sounds Perth