Naim NDS vs CD555

I don't think this is right.  24/192 is of a far higher resolution than CD's 16/44.1.  To my ears the high res file I heard played through NDX/555PS/nDAC/XPS2 was very close to 555.  So NDS should take that on some way.

Mixed metaphors I think Jon.

First off what has radio broadcast quality got to do with streaming or replaying CD music. There is no connection.

The CD555 maybe one of the highest peaks of CD player quality but again it is not held back by standard CDs since that is all it can play. There are no other formats it can reporoduce.

AS JWM points out streaming DAC setups can play 96/24 and for that matter 192/24 music files created using mastering equipment which has these capabilities. These formats have significantly higher resolution potential than 44.1/16 the standard CD format. 

For these reasons together with your correct comment that there do not need to be any wirring parts in a streamer/DAC make them a significant step to higher quality music replay than the CD555 can obtain.

I preferred the CD rips to the hi-def stuff played briefly on my demo of the NDS. No idea why. I know several others in the demo did too.

At Bristol I didn't think the high-res Steely Dan track offered anything over the standard CD rip which was excellent in itself.

Strat

Provenance and mastering is the key. The sound quality of a Hi-res rip is dependent upon these factors. Ownership of a high quality CD player such as a CD555 has me and others I know, seeking out old/original CD's because quite simply, they sound better (in the main) than modern ones or remastered old ones.

Recording quality is sadly in decline. Modern recordings are generally optimised for playback on Lo-Fi equipment and mp3 players.

One hates to come across as 'stuck in the past', but I hear very litte new material which sounds anywhere near as well recorded as it was in the late 1950's through to around the year 2000. There were of course plenty of Turkeys (in terms of sound-quality) from this era, but not as much compression and limiting was applied, which gives those older recordings greater dynamic swing and a much better sense of 3D ease, space and presence.

Ergo; I'm not too excited by modern Hi-res offerings if they are derived from what I consider to be a poor master.

John.

And to touch on the OP's point about radio; wonderful new hi-tech DAB sounds inferior to good quality FM transmissions. The lunatics have most definitely taken over the asylum.

So yes Jon; your post does indeed make sense to me.

John.

Spot on Strat. Exactly my feelings too. I don't think I have heard any hi-def stuff sound good except the latest PG album, which I have only heard in hi-def [and good old infinite-def [vinyl] too]

That reminds me Julian. 'Classic Albums' - PG 'So' features on BBC4 TV on Friday evening.

I'll wang a post in the music department.

John.

Hi,

I am thinking about an NDS + UnitiServe to replace CD555 [ 552/500/PS/B&W802D]. After downloading Linn Studio Master Legend Marley album in WAV form via PC, iPhone [AIFF], Arcam dock and 552. I was taken aback by the sound which should have been shiite after that tortuous route to my ears but it was great!

So either the sheer amount of information provided by the Linn WAV file served to outweigh the limitations of the route taken or and some would say my ears deceived me and I just cant tell the difference between good and bad sound. or something else is going on-  the "unknown unknowns" to quote Rumsfelt.

I may be deluded but I think the CDs hegemony is all but over as a dumbed down LoFi medium  born of the demise of Vinyl is usurped by Hi Def HiFi digital downloads or I could be talking shiite here.

And another thing should I wait for the DRs ?

Probably.

By the way, the Linn KDS sounds fabulous and the software works well. That's where my money would go if I was going to stream