Out the box the output on Qutest is set to 1v
1 Like
From all the reviews out there, I also assumed that the Qutest would be much better than the DAC in my SuperUniti. After two weeks with it I still can’t tell the difference between them. So it’s not always good to assume. Best to hear it for yourself in your system to see if it’s a worthwhile upgrade.
1 Like
Thanks. Which means that the volume on the 282 should be broadly similar/the same? Perhaps it’s my imagination - often the case when a bit is added/removed from a system (for me anyway!). With regards to the sound, overall I prefer the NDX2 with the Qutest. I’ve found it adds to the instrument seperation and gives a presentation I prefer. It does seem a bit perverse to spend £5k+ on a streamer to then only use it as a digital transport with a nice screen, though.
Thats how my Qutest is set 1v and this gives greater volume control on the 272 but soon to be replaced by a 282 in the New Year.
That’s the rub with the NDX2 when using it as a digital feed you gain a nice screen over the ND5XS2 but thats about it. The difference in price between the ND5XS2 and NDX2 allowed me to purchase an Mscaler, this changes the Qutest performance to a whole new level.
Qutest, Mscaler, ND5XS2 £7100
Qutest, NDX2 £6500
3 Likes
Very good point. I thought, though, that it’s the digital transport and isolation of components that, in part, separates the two models? I thought the internal DACs are identical. In that sense there should be at least a difference in sound, whether substantial enough for an extra £3k.
The new streamers are a great range… each adding over its junior sibling. As you say the ND5XS2 was optimised for the best analogue audio output within its price bracket at the expense of capabilities not key to that function, such as ease of control, direct interactivity, and media info display.
As far as digital, yes it shares the same streaming board module as the NDX2 and ND555, but the digital board implementations do vary ever so slightly in performance such as the Analog Devices DSP and clocking chipsets. (From a fading memory of a presentation given to me by Naim) Whether you would notice that or not would likely depend on you, your environment and connected equipment…
But in short the n5xs2 can be a great way to get on the Naim streaming platform ladder, and for many that first rung may be all that is required.
Good question.
The NDX2 has the larger classic case, a display screen and the facility for the external power supply.
As both the NDX2 and ND5SX2 have the 800 (?) streaming module, what are the main differences under the skin?
Best regards, BF
See above… plus the NDX2 and nd555 are designed with progressively larger and lower impedance powersupplies… which in turn provide a lower noise floor and more stable clock … less coupled IMD.
Thanks Simon. So on the inside, the NDX2 has a better internal power supply, the same streaming boards, the same dac (?), upgraded analogue stage and more control features. Does that capture the essence of the differences?
Hello Simon. I can’t see your system, but reading through the thread it seems like you’ve moved towards Chord and away from Naim, as I am beginning to do. For me, it’s because the individual technology available from Chord is superior to that which you’ll find in Naim streamer. So as @HiFiman points out, if streaming is your thing then it makes sense to think logically about what the components are actually doing and bringing to the party. Perhaps this isn’t the right thread to assert this, but it therefore feels like Naim streaming separates cannot justify their price point.
… always good to light a fire on New Year’s Eve!
Welcome to the Naim forum, Shore.
Best regards, BF
1 Like
Hi all the current streamers use the same NP800 streaming module front ends… these plug into the digital boards that I believe do vary in performance across the range, the digital board provides the transport, clocking and DSP functions.
The power supplies are indeed different … with the ND5XS2 having the smallest.
The DACs are different… though if using the digital signal out, this will be irrelevant.
The DACs are all Texas Instruments devices, albeit carefully selected.
ND5XS2 PCM1791A
NDX2 PCM1792A
ND555. PCM1704K
1 Like
Thanks! I’m not courting controversy (purposefully at least), and in any event I bought an NDX2. But there’s no harm in looking at Naim as a brand objectively. It wouldn’t make sense if they were less expensive. I don’t really believe that the % profit of a Qutest is less than a NDX2, for example, the difference being I do believe with Naim one is paying for the marque.
For me it was not so much price point particularly, but sound character, with theChord products since inception of Hugo just “doing it” for me. So I guess at least to some extent it depends on how someone listens to music or what they expect from it. The same is true of amps, though the demands on them of course also relate to the speakers, and in turn the room.
Oh, for sure. I agree. If the sound matches your expectations, and you’ve the money, then price is irrelevant. I’ve listened to a Zen Mini going through a Hugo2 since buying my NDX2, and I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t be perfectly happy with it if it sounded like that on my own system (which of course you can’t guarantee). But the principle is the same - a quality digital transport (I didn’t like the sound of the Zen using it’s inbuilt DAC) with a quality Chord DAC and you’ve a top quality streaming platform for considerably less outlay.
It’s perfectly okay, I didn’t think that you were trying to court controversy. Rather, you seem to be asking an astute question.
I asked the same one when looking for a streamer to replace the CDS3/555PSDR cd player. Here’s a link to our journey: Search for a good, musical streamer
Without wishing to stray into the emotive minefield of which is “better”, the Naim, Chord, DCS and MSB products each have their own character and there is an aspect of personal preference in any final decision.
I remember @Darkebear comparing the ND555 (with 1 power supply) to a Chord offering and preferring the ND555. I made the same comparison in 3 separate Naim-based systems and preferred the Chord combo. As ever, personal audition is the way to go.
Best regards, BF
1 Like
Hi… I used to be a NDAC/555PS driven by a NDX… that changed when Chord launched the Hugo many years back… that just brought more of what I enjoy… with the slight loss of bass drive.
I have maintained Naim amps, currently a NAC552 and 250.2 … but indeed I might be changing this for Chord amplification which is matching my tastes better right now.
Thanks Simon.
Our own interest would be in taking the digital output, so the dac and analogue output boards are not important to us. Even with digital out, the NDX2 has a better on-board power supply and more capable digital board than the ND5SX2.
All else being equal, we should hear a better sound when using the NDX2 as a streamer into the Chord dacs than the ND5SX2?
Best regards, BF
Well technically the output may well be better… slightly… I think you would need to determine for yourself whether there is any change to the resultant audio that you prefer… as it may well be dependent on environment and down stream system… and whether you use high end headphones etc.
I don’t think one can be totally deterministic about these things when it comes to the variability of human preference.
That has been my finding this year and, for the first time in s long time, I currently own no Naim boxes. I preferred the Innuos/Chord front end over Naims streamers, which personally I’ve always felt were expensive at their level, and was very surprised at how they sounded into s Chord amp. Moving on my Naim five box amp provided enough money to buy it all, with money left over and, for me, an improvement in sq. I’m very happy with my current system
3 Likes