Any logic of buying a brand new CD555?

Posted by: Emre on 06 April 2017

I like cd players and my cd2x,  still buy cos,  specially I think it is a perfect time for classical fans for cd ownership, all those excellent box sets with good prices..

I own a 9 year old CD2X, that I bought brand new, using it with a tpxs and chord sta din to din, connected to my 272 which I am pretty happy..

But I always got my eyes on cd555, it is like a teenage dream something that a I can only dream of when it first released but now maybe I can, if I don't go to vacation or not buy any food for the family at least couple of years, still it can be done...

I know the second hand prices are low but not that low and cd players are not like amps they have moving parts and it will be a nightmare for me to buy a lemon one

Also not being in uk I have to find one there and pick it up, can not send by post etc, no second hand electronics can be imported to Turkey

Anyway second hand is a risky endeavour and they are not very cheap as well

So will it be a crazy thing to buy a cd555 brand New?  Can I get a very good discount for It from Naim, I am sure Turkish distributor will help but is Naim also discounting cd555?

I already have a 555psdr connected to my 272 that I can always use it and use txps with 272 for a year or two..

Sometimes I want to go for it and then I think are you out of your Mind?  

They are lot of good new cd players launched in the market with good reviews and 1/5 of the price of cd555 Hegel Mohican is interesting for example 

I also think buying a brand new cd555 and use it till one of use die.... it is a collectors item, a legend..

Am I being romantic on an old technology of reading 0/1?

What do you Think? 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by elkman70

I wouldn't buy new.

Why not buy second hand... if you really have to.

Personally I think the CDS3 sounds better.

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Polarbear

Well I bought the very first CD555 outside of Naim employees and I still use it for many hours every day.  

I am still on my fist transport and I still have one reserved with my name on it in the factory. I have heard nothing that compares with it CD wise and have no plans to sell it or swap it for anything else. 

I seriously plan to own it and enjoy it for a couple more decades.  Would I buy a new one now if I didn't have mine, yes, beyond any doubt!

 

Regards

 

PB

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

Let's get one thing straight and I say this as a CDS3 owner the CD555 is a night and day better player - far more resolution, greater dynamics and soundstage, just a better musical experience.   If I had a sizeable jump in income I'd buy one tomorrow wherever I lived.   

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Drewy

If you want one then buy one. Just make sure you're going to keep hold of it as if you sell it that's the time you've wasted your money. 

I've just bought a 552 and you don't "have" to pay full price. The retail price is just that.

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by hungryhalibut

I think the CDS3 is much nicer than the 555. That's what I'd get. 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

In what way HH?

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Polarbear

Yes, please expand HH?

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by hungryhalibut

It's just more musical and engaging. Every time I've heard a 555 it's been a bit dull. It may have been the overall systems of course, but it's odd that every 555 I've heard has had the same impact. A well known Naim dealer once said to me at the CDS3 was the most musical player that Naim had ever made, so it's not just me. But what do I know? 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

DULL????!!!!!!

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Polarbear

Pop round Nigel and then see if you think a 555 sounds dull? 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

Or HH take say Kleiber's DG recording of Beethoven V and play that on a CD5555 - it's breathtaking

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Clive B
The Strat (Fender) posted:

Let's get one thing straight and I say this as a CDS3 owner the CD555 is a night and day better player - far more resolution, greater dynamics and soundstage, just a better musical experience.   If I had a sizeable jump in income I'd buy one tomorrow wherever I lived.   

Regards,

Lindsay

I know this isn't your thread or your question, but have you ever tried a 555DR power supply on your CDS3, Lindsay? I think you'll find that closes the gap quite considerably. And it may produce the ideal balance between what you like about the CD555 and what Nigel prefers about the CDS3. Worth a home demo if you've not ever done it.

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

The day I demo'd the CDS3 I heard it with both PSUs and yes the 555 is clearly better particularly for dynamics and resolution but I'd still go for a CD555. 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Foot tapper
Polarbear posted:

Pop round Nigel and then see if you think a 555 sounds dull? 

Ooh, ooh, can I come too?

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by The Strat (Fender)
Foot tapper posted:
Polarbear posted:

Pop round Nigel and then see if you think a 555 sounds dull? 

Ooh, ooh, can I come too?

I tell you FT it's  rather good!

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Polarbear
Foot tapper posted:
Polarbear posted:

Pop round Nigel and then see if you think a 555 sounds dull? 

Ooh, ooh, can I come too?

You're more than welcome FT, you could hear my new ART's. 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Drewy
The Strat (Fender) posted:

DULL????!!!!!!

I dunno if he is right about the cd555 but he's right when he says the 252 is dull. 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by james n
Emre posted:

 

Also not being in uk I have to find one there and pick it up, can not send by post etc, no second hand electronics can be imported to Turkey

 

Lovely bit of kit but on a practical level, if it goes wrong (and judging by the posts over the years on the forum they can be a bit temperamental) can you get it repaired in Turkey ? The cost of sending it back (safely) to the UK to Naim HQ might be prohibitive if you did buy one and it needed some TLC further down the line.  

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Emre

Common guys, the question is "brand new" cd555 because is a risk and big hassle to buy an used one for me, cds3 will be far more risky

anyone could compare it with new line of players? Other makes? Or even with my humble cd2x?

does it make any sense in the digital age of streamers? 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by james n

Have you listened to one ? That's the way i'd decide whether i wanted to spend 15k on a CD player head unit. I'd also take a listen to an NDS too just to be sure as that's quite an investment to make in a legacy format.

Whether a CD555 is the right thing to buy in 2017 only your ears (and wallet) can really decide...

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Emre

I will be in uk for a couple of days, hoping to find one to demo in london area, any good dealer suggestions? I listened NDS with statements but not cd555

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by james n

Grahams, Audiovenue, Infidelity, KJ West One - Enjoy 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by Christopher_M

Assuming they    ^^^^    stock the CD555, Emre please ask them to play it back through a N-272.

Chris

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by hungryhalibut
Polarbear posted:

Pop round Nigel and then see if you think a 555 sounds dull? 

That may be a possibility, now our Henry is at Loughborough Uni and I can drive again. It's always good to meet someone who shares the worst name ever. 

Posted on: 06 April 2017 by wenger2015

EMRE, as a general rule, I would always buy new, unless you know the history of the Black box.

Their are I'm sure a number of dealers who would give you a good deal.

But of course demo first, and if you like what you hear, trust your own ears and buy.

Ps  I'm more then confident, Lindsay knows what he's talking about.