Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

Thanks Nick - these must be the “Ripple Light Breeze” interconnects :grinning:

Have you had a chance to evaluate the NDX2 without the XPS? It seems like a bit of an extravagance when using the streamer with its SPDIF out, and removing it would free up space for the 300 if you choose to keep it.

Hi Chris,

Yes I have tried the NDX2 with and without the XPS-DR into the DAVE, and there is definitely a difference in sound clarity (NDX2 (or XPS-DR) is on a Powerline); any advantage of the 555DR over the XPS-DR on digital-out from the NDX2 is minimal (the benefits of the 555DR appear to be on the analogue side of the NDX2) .

This is without a MScaler - I note you and Simon are using a MScaler which may well be why you don’t hear a difference.

I will have a MScaler for demo myself by tomorrow so I will be able to compare again - if I can swap out the XPS-DR that would effectively pay for the MScaler (‘man-maths’).

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Interesting, I wouldn’t have expected the XPS to make a worthwhile improvement (whatever that means!) in such a setup.

I haven’t got an M-Scaler, by the way. I’ve made quite a few changes to my system recently and I like to let things settle down and just enjoy them for a while before thinking about more additions.

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Interesting findings. In my system, the PS555 didn’t improve on the NDX2 in SPDIF out configuration. It just shows again that the same piece of equipment can achieve variable results pending on system, room, ears, etc.

I expect the DR equipped supplies benefit the S/PDIF output more compared to the older non DR supplies vs the internal supply. Whilst an XPS made an appreciable difference to the analogue output on my old NDX, i didn’t feel it benefited the digital output so moved the XPS on when the NDX moved to digital only duties. I’ve been very impressed with the NDX2 in this role so am keeping an eye out for a preloved XPS DR. A 555PS would really be overkill for pure digital duties I think.

Reading yours and @Simon-in-Suffolk views on the NDX2 with DAVE has made me curious about trying another DAVE again, this time fronted by the NDX2 via S/PDIF. Having been very happy going down a different technology route on the amp front for a while and with nothing new of interest coming from Naim in this regard at present, a DAVE / Etude combo for headphone and speaker duties could be a rather neat, high performance solution…

Let us know what you think, if you get a chance to home demo…

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Fot me, a big part of the appeal of Dave/Étude is that I can squeeze more performance into a little 3 shelf rack than I ever could with an all Naim system, so I won’t be following suit and buying an XPS. Still, it’ll be interesting to hear what you think if you try it.

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But does it sound rhythmic like a Naim ?

What the Etude? If so in my opinion more so compared to my previous setup. I would say rhythmic drive, boogie, pace, great dynamics and that feeling of emotional connection are Etude’s strengths. It is a very fast amp.
But perhaps it’s rhythmic drive is it’s strongest card… it makes so many otherwise flattish recordings come alive into your room.

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Yes, I would agree with that. For me it has that grip and control over your speakers that I associate more with a 300DR than a 250. That would be an interesting comparison.

What an Etude vs 300 DR… yes I think you would need matching or appropriate preamps … but it would be interesting. It’s a few months since I have heard 552/300 amplifier… but I feel the Naim and Chord sound have somewhat different characters… albeit there are certain common traits like rhyming drive and emotional connection.
I suspect both are equally capable from a SQ performance perspective and it will fall to personal preference… obviously technically they are quite different designs, as well as the Etude is natively balanced whilst I believe the 300 is an unbalanced design. Etude uses a different feedback design to the 300 (a key defining aspect of audio amplifiers) as well as the 300 uses custom bipolar drivers whilst the Etude uses custom FET drivers… and finally the PSUs are different in number, design and technology between the two products.

Yes, I meant Étude vs 300DR, but of course the choice of preamp is another variable. All just idle speculation for me now, my decision is made.

Sure this is out of curiosity for me as well.

Such an interesting thread. I assume the DAC to power amp solution precludes analogue sources such as turntables?

Keith

The same strength that I find on my Ultima. It’s very fast with great dynamics and the timing of instruments is really apparent. Makes things sound more real and more consistently enjoyable than my 282/250dr ever managed

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Yes the Ultima and Etude are similar designs so I understand… with the Etude being the smaller and less powerful sibling.

Oh dear…. I’m in trouble again financially

I do not want to let go of my Naim’s but this is very tempting

But Ali, if you enjoy your current Naim setup - why change? The grass isn’t always greener as we all know. Curious on your motivation - or is it just curiosity?

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Just curiosity

I am Always open to new technology which gets me more closer to the music

Once I heard the Hugo 1 there was no going back from there …

But the chord Ttoby could not outperform my nap 250 dr