NAC 272 and PS555

Reading some replies from before it goes appear the 555 has the edge over XPS, would be interesting to find out myself as this same upgrade for my 272 is pending.

This is very much a query rather than a statement, but is having a PS that costs almost twice the pre-amp totally sensible? 

For instance how would those who have actually have the pleasure of comparing say a 252/super cap with a 272/555 ( cost is similar) judge my query.

Belfast Taxman posted:

This is very much a query rather than a statement, but is having a PS that costs almost twice the pre-amp totally sensible? 

For instance how would those who have actually have the pleasure of comparing say a 252/super cap with a 272/555 ( cost is similar) judge my query.

That's an interesting comparison. Someone needs to do this!

That's exactly my set up. 272, 555PS & NAP300

For me the 555PS is simply the best power supply naim make.  

These power upgrades are aways difficult to justify as they're subject to the law of diminishing return.  But there really is no alternative if you want to hear the 272 performing at its best . . .

Charlie +1 for the 272  - I am loving mine and I agree completely with the analogue side of things. My only regret is only one DIN analogue input. I have the LP12 on that so my Cdx is relegated to RCA's

I can't answer what it'll do for a 272 but a 555PS on my nDac was a bloomin revelation!

I'm keen to try a 555PS (DR or non-DR) on the 272 although one poster recently tried this I think and found it a lot better than XPS, and another felt they were quite close. 

Also I think someone tried the XPS2 v XPS-DR, then 555PS and 555DR, not sure on that but would be a good comparison if anyone has gone that far into testing?

As posted in other threads - I had an XPS (nonDR) on test on 2 occasions with my 272/250DR and both times didn't really feel the uplift in quality justified £3.6k. It was the same unit on both tests so it may have had an issue - although the first time I brought it home it blew 2 fuses and had to go back to Naim and I believe it had a full service before it was returned to me. I kept if for a couple of weeks, feeling it had made a difference but then when I removed it I didn't feel there was a big downgrade in SQ.

Having read so much about how great the XPS (UsuallyDR) is with the 272, I borrowed the same unit again (my dealer only has a non DR XPS) but again felt the improvement was not commensurate with the price.

I happened to see a used 555DR for sale at a local dealer and he agreed to let me take it on a trial basis - the uplift in SQ was immediately very night and day. To Taxman's point - it is difficult to justify spending (almost)  twice as much on a PS compared to the 272, however as the price I paid for the used 555DR (inc power line) was slightly less than a new XPSDR + Power line it seemed like a no brainer. Having said that - having heard what the 555 can do to the 272, I would have waited until I could have afforded / convinced the Mrs to spend over £6k on a PS as I feel the uplift in SQ is worth the price.

I run a gyrodec and I have to say, the uplift in SQ with that has been breath taking. I have also found myself using Tidal much more since adding the 555 as it has taken it to a very enjoyable level of sound quality. 

Thank you for the update Harty, yes I remember your thread now so apologies I may have been referencing that in the post above yours.

You did mention the 555DR added more and was night & day compared to the XPS and the deal you got sounds excellent also. I'm intrigued to try a 555PS non DR version (with DR upgrade plus service done later) to spread the eventual cost. 

It does appear odd mind to pay near £6K for a PSU on a £3.5K pre/streamer but then SL cables and so forth. 

In your opinion was the 555DR doing the overall package improvement as in air around the playback, better defined bass, high frequencies ringing out longer and digging out more layers, better noise/quieter/inkier blacks or was it a more feeling and mood improvement, foot tapping and just better for you and what you listen too?

No apology necessary Dan - my reference to a previous post was more out of concern for sounding like I'm repeating myself and sounding like I'm just banging on about how great my setup sounds.

I'm not very good at putting into words the improvements I get through the various upgrades I've made over the years. However, I would say that what you list above is much the case. (Good) live recordings sound much more live - sound stage, space around instruments etc is much more defined as is the bass control and the fine detail in the top end. 

With a tip of the hat to the fishy one, it is more toe tapping and head nodding. I think the best compliment I can pay the 555DR is that I have spent far more time listening to (and enjoying) music since installing it than I ever have in any incarnation of my system in the past.

Obviously I can't comment on the 555(non DR) in terms of the 272, but for what it is worth, when I was running a SN with CDX2 I tried an XPS and 555 (both nonDR) and whilst I felt the XPS made some difference to the CDX2, the 555 was an enormous step up. I use a Nitin Sawhney track from Beyond Skin - Homelands as a reference track and with the 555 on the CDX 2 it transformed what was a fairly 2D sound stage into a sea of drummers stretching out to about 3 houses down the road. There is much the same and more with the 555DR on the 272.

So Harty sounds like I will be saving the Xps for the Cdx2 and bunging the 555 onto the 272. You couldn't lend us £10k could you

Belfast Taxman posted:

So Harty sounds like I will be saving the Xps for the Cdx2 and bunging the 555 onto the 272. You couldn't lend us £10k could you

In truth, I'm so shocked I got the 555 purchase past Mrs Harty that it could be worth a shot asking on your behalf - especially if our tax office happens to be in Belfast 

Thanks Harty, I went through a similar experience with SN2 and HCDR, opening more layers to the sound. Sounds as though the 555DR with 272 just opens the taps more, and as you mention the fishy one in the sense more tapping of the foot and nodding of the head. 

I do find as well that there is a point of evaluating the playback and quality of it that you just sit there and think, well there you go, thats what I mean (or thats what it means to me), and its good when those moment arrive. Worth the journey as such.

I had an SN1 before the 272, for about 8 years. I had a Hicap (non dr) on it from about a week after owning it and thought it transformed the amp. Loved that combo with the CDX2. Only let it go as I wanted to move into streaming and had heard so many good things about the 272/250 conbo.

Slightly off thread, but I was nervous about ditching my CDP and relying purely on streaming and vinyl but I have not missed the Cd playback at all and have started listening to much more of my library since having it more readily accessible.

Thanks for the valuable comments. I now feel that going to the 555PS with the 272 is not "over the top" especially since there may be a higher end pre/streamer without an internal power supply  offered in the future.

jsaudio posted:

Thanks for the valuable comments. I now feel that going to the 555PS with the 272 is not "over the top" especially since there may be a higher end pre/streamer without an internal power supply  offered in the future.

That's a good point - I should have mentioned that was another factor in my decision. I felt that if I upgraded my source in the future then I wouldn't need to think about upgrading the power supply. Until Naim release the 666PS 

I will visit a dealer next week to listen what's the improvement from naked 272 against 272/555PS next week hopefully

Mine is getting better and better as it beds in.

I'm very, very pleased I took the plunge with the 555DR.

Stefan Vogt posted:

I moved from 282/HiCap to 272/XP5XS with only a very occasional look back.

S.

 

EDIT : Sorry ignore this is a 555 thread not looking to hijack the OP....  Hi Stefan, just seen your post, I hope you don't mind me asking but how has the XP5XS worked out with the 272? I'm still looking for the PSU upgrade but still deciding, but price is a factor so a XP5 could be the best pound for pound answer? Thank you.

Maragoo, you're in for a treat. I've just purchased a mint 555DR complete with Powerline and Burndy for significantly less than a new XPS DR and I'm absolutely delighted with the results so far. Much more detail and clarity than a standard 272 with deeper bass. The music just seems more real and just makes sense.

Aaaaaarghh!! It's been over a month already since I paid for my xps DR and still none arived. Don't even get me started with all this 555 talk. 

Russt posted:

Maragoo, you're in for a treat. I've just purchased a mint 555DR complete with Powerline and Burndy for significantly less than a new XPS DR and I'm absolutely delighted with the results so far. Much more detail and clarity than a standard 272 with deeper bass. The music just seems more real and just makes sense.

Good work!! I thought I'd got a good deal at slightly more than a new XPSDR!

Agree with your summation of what it does for the 272.

Olek_K posted:

Aaaaaarghh!! It's been over a month already since I paid for my xps DR and still none arrived.

Feel for you Olek - it sounds a long time to be waiting. The least your dealer can do is cancel your order for the XPS and get you a 555 for the same price