I'm reading that the new production HDX is improved, taking it up to CDS3 level.

Are there any specific changes to note?

I heard both versions and the production HDX is clearly better. It is better than my CDX 2.

Not according to non HDX owners.

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
I heard both versions and the production HDX is clearly better. It is better than my CDX 2.

It should, shouldn't it?. It costs quite a bit more.

Do you think it sounds better than a CDS3 - they are more price comparable, (with XPS2)?

Steve

What are the component differences?

Thanks,

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
I heard both versions and the production HDX is clearly better. It is better than my CDX 2.

That's OK as long as its not better than mine, I'm happy

The real question is does the HDX sound better than a Mac and Dac combo ?

quote:

Originally posted by thesherrif:
The real question is does the HDX sound better than a Mac and Dac combo ?

Now that would be interesting to find out

Gregg

Here we go again: Is a Mac/DAC better? I figured out that is discussed in another thread. I would suggest we do not open this discussion in this thread, too.

A friend of mine just added a XPS 2 to his HDX and he says it takes it to a completly new level - I already liked the HDX without XPS 2 a lot better than my CDX 2.

quote:

Originally posted by thesherrif:
The real question is does the HDX sound better than a Mac and Dac combo ?

No it's not, that's just another question. Not everybody wants to turn his rig into a semi PC shop.


I was talking to a dealer yesterday who just setup his HDX and was 'filling' it. He said that the HDX is not able to rip to a NAS directly. Is this true? It has been discussed here too no doubt but I can't find it. That would be pretty inconvenient once the internal drive is full.

I played with the touchscreen interface for a while. I don't know but it didn't impressed me right away. Felt kinda sluggish and not ideal to go through a collection of a few hundred CDs. That would take a PC interface imo. It gets pretty warm too.

Let's wait for the direct A-B comparison tomorrow with the CDX2. Most owners seem to prefer it clearly so it shouldn't be that hard to choose.

Richard.

As far as I know there will be a software update for the HDX in about one month and this enables you to rip to NAS drives.

Have fun comparing the CDX 2 to the HDX!

That would be great.

Let's hope Naim also adds support for a wireless USB adapter to get cover art from the web. Wireless lans are in many houses (at least in NL) so the signal is there anyhow.

Richard.

I would rather use LAN instead of WLAN. Naim suggests LAN for better sonic performance. I have got my HDX connected to my router via LAN. This way it has got its connection to the internet for downloading the metadata and as soon as the software update is available I will hook up a NAS, too.

When you listen to the HDX for the very first time you will probably notice how clear everything sounds. It is more analytical than a CDX 2 and to my ears the PRaT is better, too. If you have the possibility listen to the HDX with and without XPS 2 or even PS 555. But only if this is in your budget - otherwise it is to hard to know what is possible with a PSU

Well if any one wants to hear all the options Dr Peter will be able to dem the lot soon.HDX /lavry and all the other permitations.
Munch

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
I would rather use LAN instead of WLAN. Naim suggests LAN for better sonic performance.

Que? Any 802.11b/g/n WLAN can shift data at a far higher rate than is required by a streaming WAV/FLAC etc. file. If it cannot (e.g. lots of users shifting data) then you will get dropouts, i.e. no sound. Assuming both wireless and wired are performing correctly then there cannot, repeat cannot, be any "sonic" difference.

Unless Naim have re-written the fundamental principles of TCP/IP networking ...

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Well if any one wants to hear all the options Dr Peter will be able to dem the lot soon.HDX /lavry and all the other permitations.
Munch

That's interesting - I'd really like to hear the HDX/555PS compared with CDX2,3/555PS to see if it does sound even better. Be interesting to compare it with the Linn Majik DS too.

Please let me know if there is going to be a big dem day.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Fullerton:
Assuming both wireless and wired are performing correctly then there cannot, repeat cannot, be any "sonic" difference.

Unless Naim have re-written the fundamental principles of TCP/IP networking ...

No, but the laws of radio frequency interference havent changed either.

Do you *really* want a 2.4GHz or 5GHz digital transmitter sat in close proximity of your moving coil phono stage, which deals in microvolts? Compare and contrast to the vastly reduced radiation from well screened ethernet cable.

Jon

So are you saying that folks with expensive cartridges should not have wi-fi in their homes? What about the next door neighbours - ask them to turn theirs off to?

Cheers

Jim

You still can.

But there is a potential that the sound degrade in wi-fi application opposed to hard-wiring.

There is a special commercial paint now available to block a radiation which can be used for a hifi room.

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:
No, but the laws of radio frequency interference havent changed either.

Do you *really* want a 2.4GHz or 5GHz digital transmitter sat in close proximity of your moving coil phono stage, which deals in microvolts? Compare and contrast to the vastly reduced radiation from well screened ethernet cable.

Just done a quick test. Near my LP12/Trioka is a Sonos box (WLAN) and a Cisco Aeronet (WLAN). Just to add to the mix I stood next to it and pressed the PTT on my hand held backup flying transceiver tuned in to 123.45MHz and couldn't hear anything untoward ...

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Jon

So are you saying that folks with expensive cartridges should not have wi-fi in their homes? What about the next door neighbours - ask them to turn theirs off to?

Cheers

Jim

inverse square law applies -- your hdx will be much closer to your turntable/superline/preamp than a wifi unit in another room. Put a wifi unit on a usb socket at the back of the hdx (which wont work, but thats another issue) and the transmitter is inches from cables carrying tiny signals. Go 20 feet away, and compare "few inches squared" to "20 feet squared"

I think wireless is only convenient to get metadata from the web. Not for streaming audio. Plug it out when done. Easy. Especially when it's USB.

Richard

Except, as I said in my post, you cant do wifi over usb on HDX. So the whole discussion is rather meaningless.

Jon

quote:

"few inches squared" to "20 feet squared"

Is difference in sound quality documented or is it a theoretical argument? What about then pesky mains cables that are also likely to be close to the cartridge?

Cheers

Jim

quote:

Is difference in sound quality documented or is it a theoretical argument?

It's best practice not to run reasonable levels of RF near to sensitive audio equipment. Ok its pretty low level from a wi-fi device but i'd still rather keep it away from my Hi-Fi

A bit like running mains cables next to signal cables...

James

I think that wiring in the connection is simply more robust.

There isn't any sound quality difference.

Does anybody know what the changes are between the roadshow and the production HDX?

quote:

Originally posted by darren_m:

There isn't any sound quality difference.

Must be wierd living in such a black and white world of utter certainty.

yes, substantial wiring loom changes and some small component changes for final tuning, not much just about 50% better sound.

quote:

Originally posted by John R.: When you listen to the HDX for the very first time you will probably notice how clear everything sounds. It is more analytical than a CDX 2 and to my ears the PRaT is better, too. If you have the possibility listen to the HDX with and without XPS 2 or even PS 555.

My HDX-CDX2 comparo-game will commence in few hours. Musicality and involvement will be the most decisive factors for me. No doubt a PSU will turbocharge the performance of the HDX but that's the same for the CDX2. Both machines will enter the ring naked. The HDX already has a substantial price 'advantage' over the CDX2.

Richard.

But the HDX has got the advantage of playing back 24bit 96kHz files. Make sure to listen to some of these. www.hideftapetransfers.com offers some interesting free samples to download. They are 24bit 96kHz and FLAC and worth a try.

Report back your findings.