Trying to get going with a ND5 XS 2

Stephen_Tate · February 4, 2020, 6:07pm

Thank you. That sounds the best advice on me at this time. I shall visit Bristol, hopefully find conversation and hear what is there and conclude afterwards. No rush. Thanks

Stephen_Tate · February 4, 2020, 6:11pm

Thanks for sharing Chris, much appreciated.

My Grado SR325e are truly awesome from my XS2 amp. If only I could replicate this from my speakers? I would very happy if that were the case.

Christopher_M · February 4, 2020, 6:15pm

Not at all. I’m hoping you are going to find some speakers to go with your Nait XS2 that are going to give you back the pleasure you once had with your slimline olives and active Credos. My money is on some sealed boxes.

Stephen_Tate · February 4, 2020, 6:21pm

Yup, my money is on sealed boxes too!

Christopher_M · February 4, 2020, 6:24pm

Did you ever get to hear some small ATCs with a Nait XS2?

frenchrooster · February 4, 2020, 6:28pm

It won’t give you what you are searching for. It will give a bit more opened sound, more refined, more fluent. Not the adrenaline you are looking for.

Orac · February 4, 2020, 8:21pm

Been following this thread for some time. Having done in store and home demos I settled on the ND5XS2 and SN3. Boxes have now arrived and I am running them in. Whilst I was pleasantly surprised with how my Neat SX2s sounded when connected to the new boxes during the home demo I did an audition at a different dealer with PMC Twenty5.23 which impressed. So the speakers arrive tomorrow and I will continue the burn in process. Also succumbed to a chord epic din-din interconnect. No more upgrades now apart from re-enabling the Qobuz subscription.

Crashwilliams · February 4, 2020, 8:39pm

Thanks @seakayaker I’ve got the ND5XS2, having explored further, I don’t believe there’s any upgrades for that, bar Qobuz upgrade…

Didnt think I could do the HiCap DR, will. Look into this

marcusman · February 4, 2020, 9:23pm

You can’t upgrade the ND5XS2 with a power supply i.e (flatCap or HiCapDR). You can however upgrade the Streamer(ND5XS2) with a Powerline or Hi-Line/SuperLumina interconnect if that’s what you meant to say.

ChrisSU · February 4, 2020, 10:10pm

There is no PSU upgrade option, but you can upgrade it with an external DAC, and the ND5XS2 makes a very good digital transport when used in this way.

Orac · February 4, 2020, 10:15pm

Quick question if I may for those with ND5XS2. Recall some mention of box clicking (relays?) when coming out of standby. My home demo box did not do this but the delivered one does. Any tips before I contact Naim.

NigelB · February 4, 2020, 10:19pm

I would be guided by Naim on that one, but you might just want to run it past your dealer first. If you are not satisfied with their answer, then go to Naim.

Mhitchi · February 5, 2020, 4:55am

I hope this thread never dies.

Crashwilliams · February 5, 2020, 7:07am

Thanks @ChrisSU for the suggestion - would the DAC go DAC - Streamer - Amp or Streamer - DAC - Amp?

Probably a bone question but I’m new to all this!

ChrisSU · February 5, 2020, 7:12am

I meant putting a streamer between the digital output on the ND5 and the input on your amp. There’s no analogue input on the streamer to add a DAC in front of it.
This was a popular upgrade with the old Naim streamers, and for some of us, with the new models too.

igahman · February 5, 2020, 4:34pm

Please keep us updated on progress with streamer and I would also like to know how you get on with speaker placement. Pics would be nice

Stephen_Tate · February 6, 2020, 5:47pm

I wouldn’t worry. Enjoy your ND5 XS 2!

Stephen_Tate · February 6, 2020, 5:53pm

Hi Chris,
no not as yet.

I’m trying to build up my finances at this moment, things have been tough since Christmas but all is well and the building is under way. I am going to the Bristol Show first of all, then I shall explore with my dealer on some stand mounts. In the mean time, I’m just stabilising. No rush. Thanks!

Stephen_Tate · February 6, 2020, 6:12pm

I’ll tell you what - One Cisco PD 2960 switch (no nutty cascading), all Blue Jeans Cat 6a is no bad thing. It can be hidden and easily disguised. Tidal loads up quicker through the Naim app and the music sounds terrific. In my ‘set-up’ grand scheme of things, it’s tolerable.

DanielH · February 7, 2020, 3:30am

Stephen, are your speakers still bothering your neighbours with bass? Maybe you can try putting Gaia III footers from Isacoustics under your speakers. I installed some on mine. They isolate the speaker from the floor. Maybe less bass will get through and your neighbours won’t mind as much. They also improve the sound!