My system is very old and I still enjoy them a lot for combination of CD listening and music streaming: Naim SUPERNAIT/TeddyCap/Naim DAC/Harbeth HL5/Cambridge CXC transport/Chromecast audio streaming Youtube music premium/Tidal/Qobuz/Roon up to 16bit/44.1kHz. I can think of some feasible upgrade options right now, but I wonder which one of these options will give me the biggest improvement:
speakers: Harbeth Super HL5 Plus XD or Harbeth C7 ES3
streaming source: Naim NDX or NDX2
PSU: Naim XPS DR for my Naim DAC
pre amp: Naim N272
power amp: Naim 250 DW
Please let me know your thoughts, thanks in advance!
Good idea! Do you know if ND5XS can support Qobuz natively? and how ND5XS compare to NDX for the steramming part? I think NDX doesn’t support Qobuz natively either and it only supports up to 44.1kHZ for Tidal. Is that the same for ND5XS?
You need the nd5xs2, which replaced the original Nd5xs. There are many on this forum who added a nd5xs2 to an ndac since that seems to be similar or better than the ndx2.
Streaming wise there is hardly a difference between the ndx2 and the nd5xs2.
I listen to a most enjoyable & musically satisfying combo of ND5xs2 / nDAC / PS555DR into 43yr old chrome bumper 72/HC/250
You will be amazed at how foot tapping the nDAC transforms into , when a power supply is added to it. In my experience the Naim DC1 digital cable is an optimum component too.
As you know the nDAC has the pinnacle core DAC technology of the ND555, so adding the pre-DAC section of Naim streamers via the ND5xs2 is a satisfying outcome. With the Naim app on hand, not having a small LCD display on the streamer which is hard to read from your listening position is not missed.
Careful buying, you probably can purchase both the ND5xs2 and XPS for less than an NDX2
If you search the Naim streaming forum as well as the HiFi corner forum, you will find the happy ND5xs2/nDAC/PS threads.
Thanks! I used to have 72/250 the olive version and they are amazing, built for music lovers let you forget about what gear you are using but focus on enjoying the music. I think that combo can go to my “regret to sell list”. At one point I upgraded my system to 82/HC/250 and 52/52PS/135 soon after, but I found myself more stressful since then because I started looking for flaws in my system and busy at moving my equipment and speakers around to find the best spot
What is your thought on adding XPS DR for Naim DAC first? I haven’t seen one ND5XS2 on the market lately, but found couple deals for XPS DR. I like the idea of source first, I am surprised how well my SUPERNAIT holding up after so many years, but yes, a recap is overdue.
I don’t have nDAC but I have a Naim DAC and it really does the magic to transform the music. When I feed my Naim DAC with Wiim mini and Tidal connect, I think it sounds as good as playing my CDP to Naim DAC. I would imagine nDAC can do even much better.
And how the CB Naim pre/power amp perform in your system? I owned the CB NAP 110 and olive NAP 250 a very long time ago, but now I am with Supernait, maybe in the future I will revisit the pre/power amp setup, very curious how different the sound would be compared to my SN.
Apologies, my nDAC, I referred to is indeed a colloquial description for the “Naim DAC”.
There is a significant and very musical upgrade awaiting nDAC owners by adding an XPS upgrade and then even better upgrade again with the PS555 power supply.
Additionally one can even consider the XPS-DR and PS555DR. There are many opinions of non-DR vs DR.
I went with PS555DR as it’s reputation is unquestionable and as living in the remote part of Australia, as we don’t have the luxury of easily swapping exotic Naim boxes, or locating a pre-loved PS555 is pristine condition.
All I can say is that my above mentioned CB 72/HC/250. is very foot tapping musically and relaxing with my combination ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR.
For some context- I play guitar in a large jazz group each week up to 45x per year. So I find much comfort in listening to my above mentioned Naim combination.
Another strong endorsement for adding ND5 XS2. Value for money hard to argue against. Savings vs NDX2 can go towards other meaningful upgrades in the system…
The XS2 platform fully supports hi-res services including Qobuz and continues to get software / firmware support. Many on this forum are using ND5XS2 as streaming transport into very high end DACs.
The screen on NDX2 and remote just don’t add substantial functionality IMO - you’re still likely just using your phone to browse and control the streamer either way.
The Naim DAC (nDAC) you already own has great synergy with the xs2. There seems to be consensus across the forum that ND5XS2 + nDAC is at least on par with NDX2.
Headroom remains adding a power supply in the future. I use the top flight 555dr. XPS is also a logical mate. I chose the 555 because it leaves door open for future NDS or ND555.
The obvious drawback to this approach is 2 or 3 box source vs a 1/2 box solution if comparing against the NDX2 with/without an external power supply.
Upside: I prefer the nDAC presentation over the NDX2. The modularity of the multi component source system leaves you tons of flexibility for the future…
Easy to search and find strong support for the XS2 + nDAC pairing from across this community. It’s a special combination.
My take on order of events is:
Add ND5 XS2 to existing nDAC
Add NAC282 (or other Naim pre) and use Supernait for power stage.
Another alternative to consider is a true dedicated streaming transport.
I’m sure others will bring up the Lindemann Limetree Bridge II. I have not heard it, but appreciate its purpose-built design.
This seems like a great solution to consider since you already have the legendary nDAC. The nDAC has so much more to give if fed a high quality, high resolution digital signal. Comparing against your Wiim, chromecast, etc. I think you will be amazed.
I, and many others added the nDAC after starting with a bare ND5 XS2, so a standalone player with analog output was initially a requirement.
This is a function over form perspective. I do appreciate the visual consistency of a full Naim black box stack.
I think good thing just happened to my system. Last night I switched the 5 pin interconnect cable between nDAC and SN to another 5 pin cable that I found in my storage room, it made a day and night difference! And it’s not even the Hi-Line one! I don’t know what’s the difference between these Naim interconnect cables, they look identical except for the small label on the cable. The sound is so much more open, clear, detailed, punchy, the treble/mid is crisp and sweet, the bass fast and punchy. Maybe it was a fake cable I used before?? Before I always doubted my streaming system, not anymore now! Sounds like a total different system! Sounds just like the Naim signature sound that I know about.
Preamp: Supernait-> Naim NAC 282 w/Naim HiCap DR + Teddy Cap (mixed PSU but they work nicely!)
Power amp: Supernait → Naim NAP 250.2
CD Transport: Cambridge CXC (no change, but now use coaxial cable instead of optical cable)
DAC: Naim nDAC (no change)
Teddy XPS: it is on its way to power Naim nDAC
Speaker: Harbeth HL5 Reference (no change)
Potential upgrade?
Harbeth Super HL5 Plus XD (or Spendor 1/2 ?) : I wonder if it’s worthy to replace my old HL5 Reference speakers (made in 1989), I might visit my local audio stores to check on other speakers too, ATC? PROAC? SPENDOR? FOCAL? I think I want to stay with Harbeth speakers but never says never
Naim NDX2/ND5XS2: I hesitated to do this upgrade first because the second hand price is still high and technology keeps changing, since my Wiim Mini is working extremely well right now in my system, I think I will wait and see for a little longer
Naim CDS3: I have been eyeing on CDS3 before, but I recently read somewhere mentioned the CDX2 transport + nDAC/PSU can give sound quality very close to CDS3, has anyone tried that before? But after all, I am very pleased with my Cambridge CXC CD transport right now with nDAC.
Change the streamer for one that will do justice to your dac and amp - Naim ND5XS2 as a minimum (or something like the Auralic Vega S1?)
Get a decent rack that will allow you to place all the boxes on a dedicated shelf (not necessarily their own shelf) - don’t stack the boxes on top of each other- you’ll be amazed at the difference this can make.
