I would like some advice please. My current system is a CDS3, 252, 300DR, Graham Audio LS5/9f and my streamer is a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 feeding a Chord Qutest. I am looking to improve the sound of my streaming setup. I initially thought about upgrading the DAC to maybe a Hugo TT2 when funds permit. However a number of people on another forum have suggested my money might be better spent on upgrading the streamer first. I would be interested in any thoughts on the following. Purchasing a Naim ND5 XS 2 and running it with the Qutest or getting an NDX2. I don’t know how the DAC in the Qutest would compare with the NDX2. I have read that the streaming section of the ND5 XS 2 is very similar to the NDX2 so if I wanted to use an external DAC, the cheaper option would be better. Finally Are there any other streamers I should consider with my Naim system?
My advice would be to put most of your money into the DAC. Yes, the streamer can affect sound quality, but I believe that it’s all to easy to get sucked into the area of obsessive tweaking of digital equipment. If you like what Chord DACs do, the TT2 could be a great option, although of course there are many alternatives.
I can’t help with the Naim streamers but if you feel like taking a chance any of the Auralic G or S range of streamers are good value now that the company has closed. Excellent build and sound quality, expensive but now available at knock down prices.
I would focus on DAC ore streaming source: The DAC has a fundamental influence on the sound character of a digital system, far more thn any other component apart from speakers. Getting the DAC as good to your ears as you can is key to maximising the enjoyment of a digital source, in my experience far more noticeable than changes in steaming front end. However, some DAC are particularly sensitive to RF contamination from ource and benefit from additional steps to block if the streaming source doesn’t do that well: the Chord Hugo Mk1 is one, apparently because IIUC its original design was for drive from a phone dictating no galvanic isolation. However this does not apply to TT or Qutest which do have galvanic isolation on inputs (I don’t know about Hugo2).
I have an NDX2 and currently I am playing it through my Hugo2. The sound more detailed than the inbuilt dac in the NDX2. To be fair I do switch between the Hugo2 and the inbuilt dac, both have their strengths.
Just following up on the comment from @Innocent_Bystander I have not hit any galvanic isolation problems with the Hugo2 but (I guess) this might vary from system to system - I am no expert here!!
My next move is to purchase either a TT2 or a DAVE to go with my NDX2. Both work very well IMHO.
The NDX2 is an excellent digital transport, there are forum members using with Chord Dave and other high end DACs.
However, the ND5XS2 (as you say) shares a streaming section with the NDX2 and, as a transport only, forum members have reported no audible difference in performance.
Having auditioned a number of DACs, each manufacturer has a different sound profile. If you enjoy Chord’s approach you might not like what other manufacturers do. Others are recommending the bulk of funds going on a DAC and we would agree.
Also for transports, there are plenty threads running on streamers from Primaire, Limetree and others being used to extend life of NDS/555 DACs. Worth a read, as many of the options are cheaper than ND5XS2.
Nd5 xs2 + qutest is a redundant configuration. NDX2 is the much worse - twice more expensive
There will be no twice bigger uplift in SQ!
The most expensive part of the naim streamers is the DAC, which you won’t use unless you get rid of qutest
I’d suggest you to try some USB transport, as Qutest can be fed via USB input. Aurender, Auralic, Eversolo, Matrix - they have USB outputs that you might be interested in.
For the fraction of the price of nd5 xs2 you can find a decent transport.
Because the streaming capabilities are much worse looking at the cheapest competitors. I have some experience with wiim mini-pro-plus, wxad, cxn v2, eversolo, node etc etc etc.
At the moment I’m running a long running comparizon with primare np5 mk2. Some details I provided in this thread NDS end of life-no longer! Primare NP5 Mk2 - #15 by Pauel
IB I did nt find the Hugo 1 that sensitive to SPDIF frame quality or common mode noise, but that depended on setup as the Hugo 1 is not directly earthed as standard, not like the NDAC was in my experience which was very sensitive to me.
However that is quite different from galvanic isolation (the clue is in the word galvanic…) which is about primarily breaking direct current earth loops, but letting the AC signal pass. With SPDIF typically done with transformer couplers or Toslink.
The NDX2 SPDIF output is galvanically isolated so has no trouble driving the Hugo 1 and other Hugo type Chord DACs without introducing earth loops into the SPDIF connection
Ah, I should have clarified that it was the USB input that has no galvanic isolation and is sensitive to RF, that’s of course being the input that normally would be fed if connected to a phone source. The way I got around it with my H one was with a USB to S/PDIF isolator/converter. ND5XS into Hugo via S/PDIF didn’t suffer - if was when I first tried Mac Mini / Audirvana. Putting a Gustard isolator/converter in line solved it.
Agh yes, I remember talking to Rob W about that, and I told me he believed he had mastered the USB isolation finally on DAVE… but I suspect one might still hear the effect of common mode currents even there. Other than a few experiments from time to time I don’t use USB audio.
