Serious question, for Andrew regarding the Naim HDX

Ashley James:

Andrew - I suspect that much of the cost is for software Licences.

Ashley

Just the point I was making - that there are more costs involved than might immediately seem apparent.

 

I just bought a HD music centre (MusicCast MCX2000)and very very please with the sound (through my DAC). I never ever thought I would go down this route but read some of Forums's posts make me made yet, another compulsive buy!

I could, of course, tell you many dedicated cd players, I used to own, that would out preform my present combo but then they are cost a lot more. As for transports are concern though, this is it....I am converted!

You can always make you own! http://www.mini-itx.com/2006/10/02/the-dos-head-unit

This is a most interesting site for small format PC motherboards, they are very energy efficient and often don't have noisy fans. It's worth studying all the projects.

Ashley

fr0g:

jules153:

HDX -vs- CDP. Isn't it like comparing a DVD recorder to a DVD player at the same price? i.e. different functionality

HDX -vs- Macbook/Dac/etc. Isn't that like comparing a Arcam solo to seperates? i.e. convinience factor

jules.

No. The HDD should be there in order to playback at a higher fidelity, as it is a far better playback mech than a CD transport.

I imagine thats what the idea is. £4500 is hardly 'convenience' territory...

I disagree Frog. The HDD in the HDX is there to give increased functionality - ripping CDs, storing, playing 96kHz files. It also has network functionality, Gracenote etc. etc. These extras are not designed to give better sound quality when playing 16bit/44kHz 'CDs'.

jules.

jules153:

fr0g:

jules153:

HDX -vs- CDP. Isn't it like comparing a DVD recorder to a DVD player at the same price? i.e. different functionality

HDX -vs- Macbook/Dac/etc. Isn't that like comparing a Arcam solo to seperates? i.e. convinience factor

jules.

No. The HDD should be there in order to playback at a higher fidelity, as it is a far better playback mech than a CD transport.

I imagine thats what the idea is. £4500 is hardly 'convenience' territory...

I disagree Frog. The HDD in the HDX is there to give increased functionality - ripping CDs, storing, playing 96kHz files. It also has network functionality, Gracenote etc. etc. These extras are not designed to give better sound quality when playing 16bit/44kHz 'CDs'.

jules.

For £4500 it ought to be.

Thaiman:

I just bought a HD music centre (MusicCast MCX2000)and very very please with the sound (through my DAC). I never ever thought I would go down this route but read some of Forums's posts make me made yet, another compulsive buy!

I could, of course, tell you many dedicated cd players, I used to own, that would out preform my present combo but then they are cost a lot more. As for transports are concern though, this is it....I am converted!

On a lighter note, great new Avatar shot, sir

 

Andrew Everard:

fr0g:

Totally appreciate that... My point is that the HDD playback should be at least on a par, if not better. And taking the price of the unit into consideration, it ought to be on a par with their nearest priced CD player.

And after all, all the company's done is sling in a hard drive. And how much is one of those...?

 

I mention their £3000 player. This unit is £4500 - I understand entirely that its more than 'slinging in a hard drive' (or in fact 2), but that £1500 ought to cover anything they've done... software licences, or whatever.

Again. I would like to hear it very much, although I am obviously not anywhere near its target market. I suspect it will sell to people who either don't have much computer knowledge, or the desire to have a traditional computer as part of a hifi setup...but it still needs to be very very good, for that premium...

I think this is one for die-hard naim fans that bought into their system philosophy and dont want to deviate from the concept. I'm sure as such will do well and sound good in the process. Whether this is good value at over 4 grand I doubt when you see what can be done for much less but then again, for your high end 'Naim'er' this will be of little consequence.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Naim amps and think my investment on them was highly worthwhile. But the thought of spending £4.5k on any source makes me shudder.

fr0g:

jules153:

fr0g:

jules153:

HDX -vs- CDP. Isn't it like comparing a DVD recorder to a DVD player at the same price? i.e. different functionality

HDX -vs- Macbook/Dac/etc. Isn't that like comparing a Arcam solo to seperates? i.e. convinience factor

jules.

No. The HDD should be there in order to playback at a higher fidelity, as it is a far better playback mech than a CD transport.

I imagine thats what the idea is. £4500 is hardly 'convenience' territory...

I disagree Frog. The HDD in the HDX is there to give increased functionality - ripping CDs, storing, playing 96kHz files. It also has network functionality, Gracenote etc. etc. These extras are not designed to give better sound quality when playing 16bit/44kHz 'CDs'.

jules.

For £4500 it ought to be.

Ought to be what? Better than a £4.5k Cd player? That's like saying a Yamaha CDRHD1500 should sound better than a Rega Apollo.

jules.

jules153:

fr0g:

jules153:

fr0g:

jules153:

HDX -vs- CDP. Isn't it like comparing a DVD recorder to a DVD player at the same price? i.e. different functionality

HDX -vs- Macbook/Dac/etc. Isn't that like comparing a Arcam solo to seperates? i.e. convinience factor

jules.

No. The HDD should be there in order to playback at a higher fidelity, as it is a far better playback mech than a CD transport.

I imagine thats what the idea is. £4500 is hardly 'convenience' territory...

I disagree Frog. The HDD in the HDX is there to give increased functionality - ripping CDs, storing, playing 96kHz files. It also has network functionality, Gracenote etc. etc. These extras are not designed to give better sound quality when playing 16bit/44kHz 'CDs'.

jules.

For £4500 it ought to be.

Ought to be what? Better than a £4.5k Cd player? That's like saying a Yamaha CDRHD1500 should sound better than a Rega Apollo.

jules.

Why do people do that (take someone elses point to an incorrect 'logical' conclusion, then put that incorrect conclusion up for scrutiny.!?
Did I say better than a £4500 CD player?
Nope. I originally mentioned around £4000, but if the level is at least at that of the £3000ish CDX2, then I would say it was about right, given the extra costs involved.

But I meant...
"Ought to be" "designed to give better sound quality when playing from the HDD".

Clare Newsome:

Thaiman:

I just bought a HD music centre (MusicCast MCX2000)and very very please with the sound (through my DAC). I never ever thought I would go down this route but read some of Forums's posts make me made yet, another compulsive buy!

I could, of course, tell you many dedicated cd players, I used to own, that would out preform my present combo but then they are cost a lot more. As for transports are concern though, this is it....I am converted!

On a lighter note, great new Avatar shot, sir

 

I think it's a bit unflattering.........

Reading back it looks like was a bad mood yesterday. Apologies.

jules.