555 and 555DR on NDS

The DR version is far superior. But I think you need to give it some time to unfold it's qualities. The richness and flow takes a bit more time to fully shine. And then at the end you are of course left with a difference of how the music sounds with and without. I believe to remember that Simon in the past preferred the plain 555ps on a NDAC as it had a more "rough" approach.... 

Perhaps he can comment that audible difference in his own words.

Hi Yorkslad

i hear your dilemma and can give you the answer. I recently changed my CD555 for a NDS. During the evaluation, my superb dealer left me his NDS & DR 555 PS. All weekend I compared the two setups. Obviously my CD555 & non-DR 555 PS, were well run and his NDS cold. At first, the CD player had the edge. As days past, the NDS warmed up and got better & better until it sounded better than the CD player. The clincher was playing a couple of sample FLAC 24/192 files I got from Linn Records. The difference was astonishing. So the decision was made. Look to the future and go for the NDS. Since I intended to sell my CD555 and keep its 555PS as a second power supply for the NDS, my dealer lent me a second DR555 PS to try on the NDS Before returning it to him. This second DR555 PS transformed the NDS . My music (ripped CD's mostly) were taken to a new level of musicality. Open, detailed and mellow. The aforementioned FLAC files just became something to behold. I was hooked. I sold my CD555 and ordered a NDS & DR555 PS. Naim had already said, use the DR supply on the analogue input and my old 555PS on the digital side of the NDS. That I did. As soon as I plugged it all in, something was amiss. It's cold I thought. Give it time. After a week nothing had changed. I was so disappointed. My dealer kindly lent me his second DR555 again. I used it to replace my non-DR555. Even cold, that astonishing sound was back! After a couple of days, it was phenomenal. Suffice it to say, I now have two DR555 PS on my NDS. It has now been a few months and it has grown to be something to delight. My music has been transformed totally. Since that time, I have collected and replaced a lot of my favourites with FLAC 24 bit files.

To conclude, I would even go so far as to say the NDS only comes into its own with two DR555 PS. I can't understand why Naim don't sell this feature. They must have tried this experiment. Apart from anecdotal stories, there is really no mention on using two power supplies on the NDS. I hope this helps you decide.

Garrybierdieman, I believe that the NDS+ 2*555drps  is unbeatable, on 24bit. On Cd v 555 it's a lot closer but the convenience is incredible and I have had no regrets trading CD555 for NDS - quite the reverse, I'm listening more than ever.

I wasn't expecting much when I tried our NDS with a second non DR 555PS. I thought I was far too old, cynical and spent too much to be capable of falling off the sofa in surprise any more. Having established what a crock that thinking was, I spent a very enjoyable week with it, exploring my new music collection. The non DR 555PS was hooked onto the digital side. The dealer was adamant that a DR PS on the digital side was the way to go, but he would say that wouldn't he? I'm glad I went that way because although musical memory is unreliable, I believe that running the NDS with two DR 555PS has resulted for me in a better texture and flow. But your mileage may vary.

It took a long time to all settle down and bed in. Months. As already suggested, it might be that what you need most at this stage is time and a little patience. But I don't know if that's the case.

+ 1 to what Harry said.

I ran my NDS for a long time with just one 555PS. As with all Naim gear the condition known as "what if" kicks in. I added a 2nd one late 2014 and I have never looked back. I can without a shadow of a doubt recomend it funds permitting. One other point to add, at this point powerline order into in my case Musicwork block and stacking order on Fraim should be carefully considered.

I've got that block too Dusty. We're not by any chance using the same system in parallel universes? Stranger things have happened.

All

Thank you very much for the comments and insights

I sense that the take away from this is to basically give it more time and get the second 555DR in place to get the most of the NDS

Will keep listening to it as is and keep notes over the coming days/weeks

i will post update once things change/happen if anyone is interested how things progress

M

Interesting point above I forgot to ask more about

Items on rack and their positioning

I would appreciate ideas re the following Fraim configuration

Integrated amp on top (has to be due to dimension)

Then I have the following to fit on-

Phono stage

NDS

555 non DR

555DR

Suggested order please

M

You really need two Fraims. Put the NDS and phono stage on one, and the power supplies and amp on the other. You need space both above and below the NDS to get the best from it.

Thanks for the suggestion

However I have reduced from 3 full racks of previous gear down to 1 of the current system and do not want to expand again

Sticking to one Fraim only

M

What is this porker of an amp?

Rega Osiris

If it would go further down the rack, the NDS can go on top. If it can only go on top, I guess the ideal is Osiris, gap, NDS, gap, phono stage, then the two power supplies. This assumes that the phono stage is mains powered. But it's a tall Fraim, and two lower stacks would look and sound better, though I can see why if you've downsized you don't want two.

Hmm

Interesting you add in the gaps

Will review and see where I end up

Thanks again for the suggestions though

We used to run this arrangement with one PS on the NDS.

With two PS, we went with this.

Like you, we don't have sufficient space for more than one rack.

PS forgot mention our stacking order:

NDS

552

500

500PS

555PS

555PS

552PS

This was the order suggested by Naim's Jason, who also kindly came round (with our rebuilt 552) and set it up for us, with Ian from our local dealer, Audience Bath. It was a fun packed morning. They also located an HDX off Fraim. Said HDX is no longer with us.

I agree, with the short time I had the NDS in my system I put in on the top shelf using the large Fraim level on top of the next level down. (Which for me was a 555PS). Though care was needed with the Burndy so it hung in free space.

Simon

Well gents I took the plunge and had a move around

2 mini Fraim racks 3 shelves high each

lhs has NDS on top, tt power supply in middle and phono stage on bottom

rhs has integrated amp on top and 2 x 555 below (1 DR 1 non DR)

early days but hearing a difference

second 555DR here in a week so will update then

I wish there was some way I could split mime. Congrats and enjoy. That second PS is going to be fun as well.

Thanks for the encouragement

will post again as things progress

UPDATE

As promised, here are some further notes -

Ran DR555 and plain 555 together since the above comments and today introduced second DR555. The second DR555 has only been plugged in for 2 days so please bear this in mind

After swapping over between the new and previous configurations its clear that the pair of DR555 are in a different place than the non DR version

Really opens up the soundstage and maintains a really natural balance and tone to every aspect of the music irrespective of kind/style (i listen to a massive range of music)

More to follow once its settled in a little more

I run my NDS with a pair of 555's... one is DR, the other is not.  I get the best sound with the DR on the digital side of the NDS.  The music flows better in this config. I never liked the CD555 with two power supplies, but the NDS benefits greatly from the dual power supply setup.  

Although naim doesn't officially state it, there are reports of further improvements to be had, beyond a dual 555PS setup, by just stacking a few additional 555PS in the vicinity of the NDS. The NDS seems to benefit plainly from the proximity of these weighty power supplies (DR or not is secondary here). Effects are audible, particularly at low frequencies, even when the additional 555PS are not connected to the mains - with the nice side effect of this being energy-neutral!

Cheers,

S,

Interesting that people are getting different opinions were to put DR & nonDR. So far I have been in assumption that DR to analog side, based on comments & if I remember right one dealer was recommending that as well. Now Chris said the opposite. Any other views or what setup what you have?

Stefan - are you saying that having the extra mass from a couple of un-connected 555PS supplies on the same rack is making a difference (so the same could be achieved with a load of bricks, lead weights etc...)

James