DR

I'm in the same place!

And me! There are comments around that I have read about XPS2/XPS2DR, 555PS/555PSDR with the CDS3 but there really seems to be quite a variety of views and no consensus. The view that the CDP is best withe original XPS is not uncommon!

Clive

I imagine the DR upgrade is very good for me it's whether the 555 is viable?   I'll stay at XPS level - you have to stop somewhere.  I think

Yes, mention of the 555PS is purely speculative on my part. I'm a bit away from needing the recap on the XPS but how much is it to DR it?

Cdb posted:

Yes, mention of the 555PS is purely speculative on my part. I'm a bit away from needing the recap on the XPS but how much is it to DR it?

About £1100 GBP.

And to just Re-Cap an XPS is.....? An awful lot less than that.  Just check Class A. 

ianrobertm posted:

And to just Re-Cap an XPS is.....? An awful lot less than that.  Just check Class A. 

Yes ,but it's not the same thing is it. 

Cdb posted:

Yes, mention of the 555PS is purely speculative on my part. I'm a bit away from needing the recap on the XPS but how much is it to DR it?

I'm in the Market for a Pre-loved PS, 555PS/XPS2.

To me, it makes sense to encompass, the benefits of the trickled down DR Technologies.

Pre-Amp--+PS DR--+2012

Amp--+DR--+2015

So the question at hand appears to be, what is the difference between Naim's Top PS, and it's XPS2?

CDS2

CDS3--+Naim's Top CDP top loader.

CD555/555PS--+2007

CDS3/555PS

CDS3/555PS DR--+2012

Assuming your XPS is less than 5 years of age, since it's not ready for a recapping!

Sell your XPS2, go naked until you find Pre loved 555PS, that is due for a recapping. $$$$$$

Then get it recapped and DRed!

Repeat the question at hand appears to be the difference between Naim's Top PS and XPS2?

I would imagine a Larger Transformer!

And what it brings to the table, within your:

SYSTEM!!!!!

I'm sure the Forum can answer the above questions!

JMHO

Allante93!

When I had an CDS3 I tried a 555PS and found it wasn't to my liking. The CDS3 lost the  inviting sound that it's famous form and became a bit too overblown, as if it had been turbocharged. I ended up with an XPSDR which gave a nice balance combining the CDS3 relaxed sound with a bit more energy and grip.

Jonn posted:

When I had an CDS3 I tried a 555PS and found it wasn't to my liking. The CDS3 lost the  inviting sound that it's famous form and became a bit too overblown, as if it had been turbocharged. I ended up with an XPSDR which gave a nice balance combining the CDS3 relaxed sound with a bit more energy and grip.

 

How do you like your duel 555PS's on your NDS?

Are they DRed?

My comments are all pre-DR.

Auditioned CDS3 +XPS, CDS3+555, CDX2+XPS,CDX2+555. 

The CDS3 with both was, to use a well used term, "too laid back" for me, although the 555 was superior.

The CDX2+ 555 was my choice (purchase). More forward,some may say more hi-fi, but that's my choice.

Subsequently went CDX2.2,nDAC/555. Bit like going from 282 to 552. Still had the fun but more detail and depth/width.

Jonn posted:

When I had an CDS3 I tried a 555PS and found it wasn't to my liking. The CDS3 lost the  inviting sound that it's famous form and became a bit too overblown, as if it had been turbocharged. I ended up with an XPSDR which gave a nice balance combining the CDS3 relaxed sound with a bit more energy and grip.

 

How do you like your duel 555PS's on your NDS?

Are they DRed?

I''ve heard the CDS3 and CD555 have a different presentation, and the DRing of the 555PS, tames the CDS3!

Any thoughts out there?

I replaced a CD555 with a NDS about six months ago, both with 2X555PSDR. As good as the CD555 was, the NDS is better overall mainly as it has additional resolution over the CD player and a bit more extension at the frequency extremes. Then of course there are the added benefits of accessibility to music through the apps and hi res, although the latter is probably not that significant as the quality of the mastering is over-riding whether a CD rip or hires download.

The CD555 does have a slightly better sound-staging/perceived depth than the NDS but this is not a significant factor for me. The addition of a second 555PS on both the CD555 and the NDS creates more solidity to the performance so its easier to perceive each instrument in its own space. Note decay is also more noticeable so the sound of a plucked string or piano note hangs in the air that bit longer. Not a night and day difference but nonetheless evident.

 I auditioned the Linn KDS alongside the NDS and while the KDS majors on detail and has an "airy" quality it left me cold in terms of musical involvement. Also tried the Chord Hugo and again not that convincing. The DAVE is an obvious competitor at this price level but manufactures tend to have their own sound signature and Naim is the one I prefer as the most involving (which is not the same as the most resolving).

Jonn posted:

When I had an CDS3 I tried a 555PS and found it wasn't to my liking. The CDS3 lost the  inviting sound that it's famous form and became a bit too overblown, as if it had been turbocharged. I ended up with an XPSDR which gave a nice balance combining the CDS3 relaxed sound with a bit more energy and grip.

 

Thanks Jonn, that's the most enlightening post yet. I share your opinion of CDS3/555PS. I just wondered if the XPS DR would take the CDS3 down the same route. Your description makes me think I'd be in safe territory so I think I'll be speaking with my dealer to arrange a demo.

Jonn - useful insight thank you. 

Jonn posted:

I replaced a CD555 with a NDS about six months ago, both with 2X555PSDR. As good as the CD555 was, the NDS is better overall mainly as it has additional resolution over the CD player and a bit more extension at the frequency extremes. Then of course there are the added benefits of accessibility to music through the apps and hi res, although the latter is probably not that significant as the quality of the mastering is over-riding whether a CD rip or hires download.

The CD555 does have a slightly better sound-staging/perceived depth than the NDS but this is not a significant factor for me. The addition of a second 555PS on both the CD555 and the NDS creates more solidity to the performance so its easier to perceive each instrument in its own space. Note decay is also more noticeable so the sound of a plucked string or piano note hangs in the air that bit longer. Not a night and day difference but nonetheless evident.

 I auditioned the Linn KDS alongside the NDS and while the KDS majors on detail and has an "airy" quality it left me cold in terms of musical involvement. Also tried the Chord Hugo and again not that convincing. The DAVE is an obvious competitor at this price level but manufactures tend to have their own sound signature and Naim is the one I prefer as the most involving (which is not the same as the most resolving).

very interesting review, did you compare all these in Naim 552/500 system?

I've also compared CD555 vs KDS/1 numerous times, on 552/500, the Cd555 has the edge in terms of bass, the Linn has this "analog" like voicing, but both were equally involving to me. KDS/1 is transformer isolated on the RCA outputs, therefore no signal earth connection.

Yes 552/500 into Kudos Titans at a dealers and the Chord Hugo on home loan. It was the KDS/2, but by all accounts the latest version is better.

Just an example of the difference was on a Seth Lakeman track where on the NDS the acoustic guitar had  resonance and body where on the KDS it was like listening a few rows back so although it still sounded like an acoustic guitar it lacked the physicality.

CD555 and NDS use a PCM 1704 chip, a true resistor ladder DAC, which can convert virtually noise free.

KDS still uses delta-sigma chip maybe latest KDS/3 Katalyst is better now...?

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages Analog. No silver bullet to DAC design.