My System is an odd one, but is born out of a limited budget…
I inherited a CDS2 / Olive xps, 2x135s and a LinnLP12/Supex/StagelineS from my dear father (who was a Director of Naim until 2005)
I found a NAC552 und DR PS in 2023 for a song as a dealer was going into retirement (only 10k€ with import taxes etc.)
My Streaming source is an ND5XS + NDAC (bare)
Soeakers; Kudos Super 20
This is obviously a “super-mullet”, but I enjoy my system very much and it “wows” very many people. The Streaming side is mainly used for casual listening, radio and music discovery (liked albums are bought as CD or Vinyl to match available better sources)
Everything is great, but I am thinking of the most cost-effective way to improve the streaming side. I use Tidal and Spotifiy, Quboz I could also subscribe to
I do not belong to the group of “just spend 50k€ and all is solved” group, would just like to get the streaming side to the level of CDS2/XPS as cheaply as possible. I have no experience how the latest products sound…
Best solution would leave me with the nd5Xs /nDac for my second system…
Should i:
1.) look for a 555ps non-DR for the nDAC
2.)Upgrade streamer to NDX2 or NDX2 + 555PS DR
3.) Wait ages for the ND555 to become good value for money and buy later with used 555psDR
4.) Buy NSS333
5.) Buy NSS333 and NPX300
What’s going to be the best “bang for the buck” people?
It’s not that simple. All your options have different sonic signatures and different levels of support, if at all. It also depends on how long you want it to be current , if at all. I went with the bare 333 and love it.
I’d probably suggest a variation on Option 1 by including a used ND5XS2, and then just have the ND5XS left for the second system. That gets you a modern streamer setup that would be close to the NDX2/5555.
Doesn’t look like a mullet to me. 12 years ago Naim would have demonstrated the Ndac/power supply/gen1 streamer with 552 and 300’s.
If you like what you’ve got, just improve it. Buying a modern good quality streaming bridge would be a good and inexpensive upgrade. Then by a power supply.
Nice to have this memory of your father with such classic hifi inherited.
My first reaction is not so much “mullet” but more “3 different incomplete systems”, and puzzled about what you would like to keep, what you’d be selling off, what you really want to end up with in 1 or 2 systems. You have a mix of Olive, Black Classic, LP12, and modern digital. Equipment has to be serviced after 10-15 years max, at a price, not sure where you are on that.
Since your question was mainly about streaming - as you already have the nDac you can build very rewarding streaming around that in the spirit of your stated goal of value for money.
Selling the old ND5-XS streamer and buying a preloved ND5-XS2 successor with a DC1 cable BNC-BNC to the nDac, will get you already at (many say above) NDX2 level. Add a PSU to the nDac and you’re off to new heights.
Not sure about the LP12 after that, but that could also be a wonderful base to work with or to sell. I would guess it will now be at 2nd system level and you didn’t provide further specs. But it sounds like an early basic model and will likely benefit from at least a full inspection at one of the specialists.
Hope this helps, do keep us posted on where this takes you.
Actually, I would say that’s a super system you’ve inherited there.
( Think it’s really cool you have those items after your father. As a sentimental soul, would be inclined to keep your late father’s pieces, adding instead of changing too much. But that’s just the way I think about such things ).
In any case, being objective, as you already have the nDAC, would suggest simply adding a latest Naim streamer. Likely ND5 XS2, either pre-loved or new, as they are still available from Naim dealers, following recent EOL announced.
Alternative would be from Innous stable. Innous are doing some really interesting things with streaming, So worth considering as an option. Again, using one of their streaming products into your existing nDAC.
Keeping it all Naim, genuinely think ND5 XS2 - DC1 - nDAC - Naim psu ( XPS or 555PS ) would be all the streaming you would want or need. Might even surpass the CD source ???
Many forum members consider ND5 XS2 - DC1 - nDAC to be same or similar to NDX2. Adding a psu to either streamer elevates to next level.
If you’re interesting in reading about these combinations, the forum search function is your friend.
Here is a useful resources for you…
Adding XPS DR to nDAC
XPS DR or 555 PS DR, for nDAC
Lastly, FWIW the “ 2nd hand HiFi “ specialists currently have both a 555 PS DR and a 555 PS ( non DR) options available as pre-loved from their website. Hope all that helps.
Thinking about your original question - “ best bang for the buck” ?…
Would suggest pre loved ND5 XS2 ( budget of £1.5k to £2k ) and a non DR version of 555 PS ( budget of £2.5k to £3.0k )
Also, allow for a DC1 digital cable, from streamer to DAC, ( budget of £150 - £195 ).
These would be my suggestions too. The only exception being that I have a couple of coax cables that cost £20 or £30 that are every bit as good as the DC1s I’ve used, as well as haven’t the benefit of being the correct length for my system.
Still wondering, what preamp was between the sources and the 135s in your father’s Olive with LP12 system, and why wasn’t it included?
Selling everything you have to go for a new balanced system 1 and an Atom as system 2 is of course also an option. I’d have the same reservations from emotional attachments as @ratrat expressed, but it sure is a lot more practical.
Thanks for all of the inputs so far! very interesting.
It looks like an ND5-XS2 could be a good option to start with, plus a 555ps.
I would never sell any of the inherited kit - it was all built by my father in his spare time. Too much sentimental value and being “employee-specials” probably of much less value to anyone else. He never had anything on the streaming side - I bought the nDAC and ND5XS myself a few years back. The original system had an 82/Hicap. This is the basis of the second system now
Why not keep your father’s system together with the NAC82, perhaps find an olive Supercap to upgrade from the HiCap, at the very least have it all serviced, that will be a project already.
If you like the LP12, as said a specialist visit to determine specs and condition with a basic service carried out is always a good plan.
Finding a ND5-XS2 and BC1 for your nDac and use that as your streaming source, you can always add a PSU to that later, would answer your original question.
Taking a clean sheet approach to a second system, and see wat you have as surplus gear that could be sold off, would be my recommendation to keep things simple and balanced.
And of course a good rack and power and Naim cabling (these also deteriorate with age) are the fundamentals. Good luck!
The 552 was such an upgrade over the 82 that I wouldn’t consider putting the 82 back in the main system again.
I had a Ryan Sound Labs pre in the second system and that boogied always a lot more than the main system with the 82; this was the reason to take a punt on the 552 (which it took to finally overtake the second system).
Somehow the secondhand market in Germany is quite dead at the moment- on the one hand, when you try and sell things, buyers only want products bought in Germany. Stuff to buy- the last year or so virtually nothing on other
1 more vote for the ND55XS2 as a Naim source for your nDAC plus the best PS for the nDAC that you can easily find s/h.
I would also spend money on the LP12, but whther that is really needed depends on how much you use it.
I too have a CDS2 and I am not looking forard to its demise - there are already CDs that it won’t play. When it dies, I’ll be on the lookout for a Naim Core or a CD transport to feed my NDX2. Your nDAC gives you great options, but you should bear in mind that some spending on CD is coming.