As most use just one output of the 555 PS, can you see Naim revising it?

Nope, there's not enough numbers in it for them. CD's on the decline and we all know the 555 was the last in line for top end CDP's.

I don't think it will change, as it still would need to have multiple inputs for a top device...

That is about as likely as stripping the rec-out loops from the 552, even though their omission probably would further improve the sound quality. It costs money to make something cheaper! Years ago there was some talk about a 'Higher-Cap'...something like a Supercap, but only supplying two dual rail outputs via DIN sockets rather than 7 via a Burndy. Fifteen years later it still hasn't happened. 

I suspect the vast majority of users have only ever used one output. 

Buy yourself an NDS then both come together to deliver sonic perfection. It's taken me a few years to get her but thr 555PS DR hits the spot.

555PS works perfectly well with an NDS. Surprisingly two outputs are used.

For other devices like NDX or nDAC I found 555PS to be an overkill to some extent. To my ears those sound better with an XPS. Perhaps that is why it has one output only.... 

The simple solution is to launch new streaming products that use both sockets. Of course only if this makes sense in terms of gained SQ.

Claus

NDS. Enough said. 

It's called XPS2-dr. The 555ps is waiting for a better source in my system and was bought with that in mind.

As long as there is one device that can make full use of the 555PS (NDS), then there is no reason to change it. And besides, the value of a PS is not in the number of the regulated outputs used but in the overall quality itself.

We've heard this logic before when using the SC on a 282 indicating that the SC is wasted. This isn't true either. As for the 555PS, even Naim advocate the use of 2 555PS on the same head unit as an upgrde option. The value of a PS or whether it is wasted or not should not be measured by how many outputs are in use.

Yes you can use an XPS in place of a 555PS and for things like an nDAC or NDX it may appear that the 555PS is wasted. Just remember it is better PS overall and an XPS is not just half a 555PS.

feeling_zen posted:

for things like an nDAC or NDX it may appear that the 555PS is wasted.

Not when you listen to it

Want a 500 level DAC? Add 555PS. Job done.

I'm now "wasting" two 555PSs on my NDS. Wastage has never sounded so good.

I totally agree, Harry.

If I were to get active speakers with built in dacs (e.g. KiiThrees), would it be sensible to unplug the 555 power supply from the analog side of the NDS?

Dozey posted:

If I were to get active speakers with built in dacs (e.g. KiiThrees), would it be sensible to unplug the 555 power supply from the analog side of the NDS?

Probably not - the NDS may have some self checking mechanism that ensures all the power rails that should be there are there - you've also got other ground paths which are used via the 'analog' Burndy so best leave as it was intended to be connected 

James

 PS - if you had the KiiThrees then i'd also question using an NDS to front it, given that you're not using a lot of the capabilities of the NDS / 555PS combo - but that's another thread. 

I needed a PS for my CDX2 and dealer said skip the XPS and buy 555ps, It made a huge difference, now it is powering my ND5xs, the sound is great with grunt.

Dozey posted:

If I were to get active speakers with built in dacs (e.g. KiiThrees), would it be sensible to unplug the 555 power supply from the analog side of the NDS?

How do the kiithree sound? On the net people rave about sound stage and easy placement but not that much about how they play music. But very interesting ideas behind the speakers.

Claus .

I don't know how they sound yet - I plan to audition them in a few weeks. Worried about the effect of putting an ADC and DAC in the analogue signal chain - hence my question. I will compare the analogue output with the digital output from the NDS. My speakers and power amps are 17 years old and I fancy a change/upgrade.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

But the nds is digital anyway. I really like the idea of small active speakers if they can make music.

You have all right mates. It is true that 555 makes better than XPS. But for those who don't have the chance to own a NDS or CD555, it is difficult to evaluate the reel benefit of this PS. Before the NDS i use to have Ndac/XPS. I had chance to compare with the 555 and yes, the 555 makes better. Once i had the NDS, i felt like the XPS was not enough or the NDS didn't sound "right". So i made the financial  effort for a 555 and yes it was far better. Then upgraded with the 2 burndies and a new story arrived - the right balance was reached.

My opinion is just that yes, you have chance to profit a "X" source with a 555 PS but it is not for what they have been developped and the result is clearly listenable. Now, after all these upgrades, i think a Ndac do not really "need" a 555. Buy it if you plan to achieve with a NDS, otherwise you do not profit of all its capacities.

my 2 cents

Cheers everybody

How much of your computer is wasted?

For me the NDAC only really comes into its own with the 555PS. I really felt it was meh with the XPS2 and more so standalone.. But put the 555PS (and for the absolute best IMO, not the DR) the NDAC just comes alive with its lovely organic sound, simply beautiful with higher end Naim amps... If you have an NDAC, I would go as far as to say the 555PS is essential...kind of like the NAPSC on the 202.

However the NDAC was designed with the 555PS in mind... it is Naim's reference DAC and of course led the way for the NDS streamer, although I nearly always preferred the sound of the former. However put a 555PS on the NDX or CDX2, and everything gets over cooked and we drift away from musical enjoyment into analytical hifi land ... IME best avoided.. The XPS2 reigns supreme with those mid level sources.

Simon

Here is some background on the power rails, search '556 PS for NDS?'

S.