slowly looking to retire (or upgrade) my Bluesound Node N130, which is not that bad as a performer, but it feels like there could be a more Naim-style way to stream. The thing has optical and coaxial outputs to attach additional DAC, which also could be an option. I wonder, if someone tried using old Naim streamers like NDX, ND5, etc as DAC only, I assume they should have a great sound signature and if fed from a just a digital streaming device, could make a nice music machine as a result, or I’m wrong here?
The Naim “Streamers” are actually network enabled DACs by another name, so you can definitely use them that way. On the old ND5XS , NDX, and NDS, you have three s/pdif inputs - one coaxial BNC, one coaxial RCA, and one optical TOSLINK.
However, don’t forget the Naim DAC itself, which is a superb unit and well above the performance of an NDX. That has many more digital inputs and can be bought for similar or even less money these days. Furthermore, you can take advantage of the older Olive CDPS and XPS power supplies, which can offer a very cost-effective upgrade.
The BlueSound Node is very good, and I would be more than happy to use it with older Naim kit using the DAC function.
In fact I use a UntiQute in that way , I was very surprised when I used the Bluetooth on my Sky Box feeding into my UntiQute in the way Richard is mentioning.
I had the Bluesound Note (into my SN3) for a few weeks, was not very happy and replaced it by a ND5XS2. These are bargains these days, you may want to give it a listen.
Yeah, second version would entirely replace node as it’s got AirPlay what I need at home, but it’s not very affordable, it’s like £1200 second hand? While the old NDX or first edition of ND5XS can be £400 if lucky, that’s a massive savings that buy more vinyl records : )
Thank you, that’s a good advice, Ive seen Naim DAC once in the wild, they’re probably very rare, definitely would love one as Ive read about specs inside it looks like very well engineered device, i believe its still should sound fantastic and definitely would outperform the built in DAC of a Bluesound Node
There are workarounds to get Airplay onto an old streamer. For example, an old Airport Express from eBay connected with a Toslink cable would do it cheaply. There’s a reason why these old streamers are cheap though. There are some spares that Naim can no longer obtain, so there’s a risk of it becoming unrepairable if it fails.
If you decide to do it anyway, I would look for an NDX rather than an ND5XS, as I found it to sound much better.
I had one of the early nDACs and very good it was, too. Well worth hunting one down, I’d have thought. And it responds very well to adding an external power supply.
Ahhh the ND5XS isn’t that great, looked closer to it, the screen always fails, optical port is limited at 96/24, it’s dated, honestly, if I would need to change streamer I would just get XS2 or just get a separate DAC like nDAC, but that budget is like nearly 4 times of the worth I have paid for my Bluesound Node N130 (came from an auction for 180 British). This time I went for a bit of alternative, just ordered FiiO K13, which will be something better than built in chip in the Node, for now Why? Because it is so hard to find anything that sounds good Like, for example:
Dacmagic - new version uses ESS Sabre chips, just can’t stand the character.
Rega DAC-R or whatever it’s called, good Wolfson chips but unaffordable
Audiolab M-DAC2, again Sabre chips and that, dry, squeaky sound signature. Also, it usually costs a fortune unless secondhand.
There are older ones with BurrBrown or Wolfson chips, but they are dated, made in 2010, like Musical Fidelity M1 (which I believe is an excellent device and very nicely laid out inside), but it’s a SMPS inside and it’s over 15 years old so not sure how good that would sound.
Maybe it’s just my tastes, but even digital music should sound analogue to me, I just don’t enjoy the latest trends (or latest music in general)
It took an ND555 to dislodge the great sound I was getting from my Node, nDAC and 555 power supply. I found the Node responded extremely well to all the known streaming tweaks and easily allowed you to hear the differences but yes, you are right, the weak point is the internal DAC. If you want the Naim sound the nDAC is the way to go and you can run it without the external power supply.
Yeah nDAC is amazing, it just costs like three Nodes minimum : ) For now got a FiiO DAC, which will be an upgrade for the Node as Node is just a small computer really, which sends streaming data. Aaaand now i’m thinking about a very scary thing - will FiiO be able to deliver PRaT?
Alrighty, I took the plunge and got the FiiO K13 R2R with linear regulated power supply. This thing is interesting, as just like Naim devices, has internal power supply and allows to be powered with an external one.
The sound? That’s a good question. I’ve A/B’d it against Blueosund Node N130 and CD5i.
Against Node N130: node is very careful, has about same rhythmic capabilities, but darker, the K13 is brighter but still has well defined bass.
Against: CD5i - i was surprised here, CD5i sounds worse. Vocals are more recessed, shut in on the CD5i, guitar string texture is more “imaginary” than “defined by texture” like can be heard in K13. Didn’t expect this.
Overall signature of a K13 is a bit unusual, “congested” i would say, but this thing is very forward sounding, definitely similar to Naim character, a lot like BurrBrown chips, but more revealing, sometimes bit on the edge of technicality:)
Remember seeing some posts here so thought might others find this useful
Like, for example:
