NDX vs NDX2?

[c2photo]

I assume there is a difference but is it worth the price difference?

I have an XPS which was used for a CDX2 which I’m thinking of selling….

[Blacknote]

Personally I’ve never listened to the NDX, but as far as I remember most members here have said that there’s quite a difference between the NDX and the NDX2. Personally I would buy the NDX2 but if you want to spend less you might want to consider the ND5 XS2 which is a great streamer as well.

Do you have the XPD-DR? If so, it could be a nice addition to an NDX2 but you can’t use it with the ND5 XS2.

[mikehughescq]

There are significant differences in usability, the underlying software platform and sound. I’ve had long and repeated demos of both. Didn’t think the NDX was the best of what Naim can do. It was a first go at streaming and it showed. Thought the people who believed it was in the same arena as my CDX2 and XPS2 had serious hearing or neurological issues. It was nowhere near.

The NDX2 is a very different beast. Whilst it wasn’t for me, after at least 3 very different auditions, it was a big step in the right direction on every front. As ever, owners of each will sing the praises of each but at this point in time the NDX2 was way ahead.

[Blacknote]

This might be useful for you @c2photo , this is what @JonathanG said when he reviewed the NSS333 and compared it to the NDX and NDX2.

Ndx to Nds or Ndx2

For what it’s worth when I reviewed the NSS333 for Soundstage a while back the uplift from my NDX was absolutely gigantic - much more air, space and transparency to the sound. The gap was so wide I actually stopped unpacking the rest of the 300 system just to listen to it into my 82/250/HiCap ATC SCM40 system. It left me realising just how much streaming sound quality has improved in recent years and that was just comparing Tidal at 16/44 on both devices. The NDX runs a bit closer to the NDX2 if…

He basically concluded this:

@JonathanG

I couldn’t afford the NSS333 though and so decided to make the move to NDX2 as the “next best option”. When I arrived I was genuinely surprised just how good it is and how close it gets to the NSS333. It’s always difficult to quantify anything by percentage uplift in sound but if the NSS333 was scored 100% I would put the NDX2 at 85% and the NDX at 50% of the performance.

I’ve personally tested the NSS333 and the NDX2, I would agree with what he said.

[c2photo]

I’m also assuming that the XPS would uplift the NDX 2 quite nicely?

[mikehughescq]

Wouldn’t listen without it.

[Blacknote]

Yes, the XPS will improve the NDX2 for sure. Personally I find the NDX2 perfectly fine even without any PSU, but some members do think it’s absolutely necessary. I suppose it depends on the system and expectations you have.

As you already have the XPS, I would surely enjoy it coupled with the NDX2, no doubt about that.

[ChrisSU]

As long as the XPS isn’t the older (olive) version which isn’t compatible, it’ll be a great upgrade to an NDX or NDX2. There are lots of different options to choose from with streaming, but the quality of your amp and speakers is certainly good enough that you shouldn’t be cutting corners on your source, and a bare NDX/NDX2 would fall a bit short.

[seakayaker]

I owned a NDX for a short while and enjoyed the music. When the NDX2 was released I arranged a home demo through my dealer. It was clear that the NDX2 was worth the extra the money to upgrade. I did recieve a nice trade in allowance on the NDX since I purchased from the same dealer. A year or so latter I also added the XPS DR power supply and did find that to be a nice uplift to the sound as well.

There have been others who choose a different route as far as model of streamer and the addition of a power supply. So nothing is cast in stone. If you can demo at home with your system and room. It is the best way to insure you will be happy with the sound.

Good luck with your decision.

[LindsayM]

I can’t speak for the NDX or 333 but the NDX2 is a truly high end music maker.

[BrendanD]

I tried an NDX in all combinations possible with my NDAC/XPS/252/SCDR/300/S400 system when it first came out out, thinking it would be an improvement on my Audirvāna- Mac Mini- Toslink source. It was a huge disappointment all round. It only had a negative impact wherever it was put.