Thanks @IainO . I love the look of the NDX2 screen but I’m using an external DAC. The price difference is quite a lot for a screen and remote.
Yes the ND5XS2 was developed to focus more of its budget on SQ over usability features … fo for a Naim product you are getting more SQ bang for your buck compared with comparable products.
Also there was a lot of learning over the first ten streamers with respect to network and streaming noise mitigation.
The NDX was good for it’s day… but the ND5XS2 would outperform it with the possible exception of only using TOSLInK into the NDX
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We use an external DAC too.
The remote and screen are lovely (and better than having to dig out the app to control) and used NDX2 are falling in price.
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Great points @ChrisSU thanks for your input. I have a remote with my NDX and don’t use it so that’s not a concern of mine.
In my opinion the NDX2 remote is an abomination and best avoided, unlike the original NDX remote. Likewise the screen: it’s a nice idea to have a colour screen but the implementation is mediocre. Get the ND5XS2 and you won’t have wasted any money on either of them, just use the app.
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I do like the screen and I do rely on it a lot. The remote is ok, I don’t like to be tethered to a phone or equivalent. But you do pay for both of those.
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complete tat, sorry Naim, I’ve seen classier gnomes but concede it is handy to quickly pause a track then hide!
I bet your Proac’s are loving your recent upgrades… (Sorry OP for the diversion, I’m a ND5xs2 user if that helps and I love it)
Hi Simon - would that apply to an NDS as well? Would hooking in an ND5XS2 (to the NDS - making it a dac) likely improve TIDAL sound quality in addition to eliminating the legacy streaming gremlins? Many thanks
Well you’d think so but starting to lose patience with Naim tbh. If I can resolve I’ll let you know. Think your set up is fab 
. Enjoy.
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Love your profile picture… Pearl for the Flintstones?
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As a DAC the NDS is an nDAC on steroids, with extra isolation, no transformer etc.
Plenty here use ND5XS2 into nDAC/PSU very happily, we use an NDX2 (mainly because SWMBO wanted a remote).
There are plenty forum threads on NDS/555 vs nDAC/555.
Or NDS as DAC… this thread… NDS a bargain as DAC?
It’s the one itch I might scratch at some point given used prices. Just how much improvement would swapping our nDAC for NDS bring……
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So, I’m guessing from thr system in your sig you rate the nDAC over the DAC in the NDX 2 then?
I’ve posted in detail on this.
Yes, but only just. Very, very close run thing. We preferred the slightly darker, bassier presentation.
In a different room, with different speakers/cables, we might have gone for NDX2/555PSDR.
Both are excellent options. We also like having every component separate, provides an element of future proofing and upgrade ability.
Our current system “clicked” after burn in only last week and we are enjoying it immensely.
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Thanks. Given that it’s close, I am leaning to the NDX 2 rather than an nDAC (or Qutest) with ND5 XS 2, with the later option of a used XPS DR. That will still leave funds to upgrade my amp a little later too.
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Happy Primare NP5 user here too.
Unassuming little box, but works fine. I very occasionally have to restart mine, but it works well into my Hugo, whether I cast to it from the Qobuz app, or stream from local UPnP server.
To my ears the NDAC is a significant upgrade to the DAC in the NDX2. So my first choice here would be ND5XS2 into NDAC or whatever Chord or other DAC you like the sound of.
You will always find a range of opinions on this, of course, so you will just have to listen for yourself and decide what where your preferences lie.
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