Any logic of buying a brand new CD555?

The Strat (Fender) posted:

DULL????!!!!!!

I find it so interesting how ones description can differ so much from so many others. I also find it interesting how some on this forum take some members sonic description of electronics, cables and speakers as gospel, even if it differs from their own opinion.  In fact I know some members who will make buying decisions based solely on other members opinions, regardless of what they hear!!!!

As an example, there are a couple members that have also described the SN2 as dull, yet there is a member who very recently posted that is having a hard time with his SN2 because of the excessive brightness.

Just for the record, I have never heard the 555 sound dull, or have not been hugely impressed when listening to it at my dealer and shows when it was on display, I can also say the same for the SN2, have never heard that sound dull, or have not been impressed by it's sonic presentation. At last years Axpona show, the SN2 was actually one of the highlights, and one of the reasons for me deciding to purchase one!!!

So what's the point of this reply, use your own ears when buying equipment, and take the recommendations and opinions of others with a grain of salt, as their are ulterior motives with some here for whatever reasons only known to them!!!!

I have a CD555 which I bought at a special price, new, a couple of years ago.    People say the NDS sounds better and they may be right, but I did not think it was by such a margin that I wanted to deal with a wired network, a switch, NAS, and the brain damage of ripping CD's, metadata, troubleshooting,  performing the help desk function by phone when I am traveling, etc.  The CD555, once you get it set up, is plug and play, and it will surely be the last CD player we buy.    My wife loves the CD player.   It sounds great and is very close to the vinyl sound.

That said, my son has a UnitiQute2b that he feeds off his MacBookPro via Audirvana Plus,  and it sounds amazing.  I am sure the new Naim streaming products are that much better.  

The CD, like the vinyl LP, is a buggy whip format.  In today's mobile world, you have to scrutinize your commitments, particularly to physical media.  Unlike vinyl, the CD can be duplicated and the duplicate will sound as good or better.  It is hard to justify a new CD555, but it would be harder to get rid of mine and move into streaming.  It might be easier for a younger, singler, man.

Skip posted:

I have a CD555 which I bought at a special price, new, a couple of years ago.    People say the NDS sounds better and they may be right, but I did not think it was by such a margin that I wanted to deal with a wired network, a switch, NAS, and the brain damage of ripping CD's, metadata, troubleshooting,  performing the help desk function by phone when I am traveling, etc.  The CD555, once you get it set up, is plug and play, and it will surely be the last CD player we buy.    My wife loves the CD player.   It sounds great and is very close to the vinyl sound.

That said, my son has a UnitiQute2b that he feeds off his MacBookPro via Audirvana Plus,  and it sounds amazing.  I am sure the new Naim streaming products are that much better.  

The CD, like the vinyl LP, is a buggy whip format.  In today's mobile world, you have to scrutinize your commitments, particularly to physical media.  Unlike vinyl, the CD can be duplicated and the duplicate will sound as good or better.  It is hard to justify a new CD555, but it would be harder to get rid of mine and move into streaming.  It might be easier for a younger, singler, man.

Sounds about right, for us Baby Boomers! 

A quote from a member who sold his Cdx2:

"i too, my cdx2/xps2 is sold, 1 year ago and i miss him ... the best cd player i enjoyed in my life!  and i have listened to a lot like cds3, dcs puccini, esoteric k01, rega isis, métronome kalista...but this cdx2/xps2 was my favorite.  Sometimes i am thinking of selling my nds and buy a cd555...."

Interesting! 

Allante93!

Emre posted:

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? 

you have an ex demo one for more than half the price at: audiodistribution. It is a french dealer, was distributing naim in France one year ago( it is now focal audio which is distributing naim). You can call them at 0491060023 ( France). You go to audiodistribution site then click on destockage then you find cd555.

this player is my dream too, but i finally choose the nds. Sometimes i am thinking that i perhaps made the wrong choice. If i had the cash i would have both...

Hungryhalibut posted:

Every time I've heard a 555 it's been a bit dull.  But what do I know? 

HH, I now seriously doubt if we hear Naim kit the same way.

CD555 is ANYTHING but dull. 

It is the single most engaging CD player I ever heard and to me is the best source that Naim make.

CD555 just has something magical about it, so if you can afford it, you should go for it, you won't regret it.

There is a reason why NDS is called NDS, but CD555 belongs to 500 series.

The CD555 is the best CD player, period.  BUT, an NDS with 2x555 DR power supplies fed by a Uniti Serve w/ a linear power supply and good ethernet cables (Chord Sarum TA) will be a better move.  I've owned both and streaming is a better sounding option, IMHO.  

i think with streamers there will be always a better one around the corner for the half price......  

there will be no streamer end game, but cd555 is a end game for a format that i use and love....

Chris Bell posted:

The CD555 is the best CD player, period.  BUT, an NDS with 2x555 DR power supplies fed by a Uniti Serve w/ a linear power supply and good ethernet cables (Chord Sarum TA) will be a better move.  I've owned both and streaming is a better sounding option, IMHO.  

I notice some members fancy two sources, the old trusty LP 12 loaded, easily 30K, and the inferior CD555!

Others have left the Nostalgic TT, and went Solo CD555.

One gentleman admits his LP 12 is used as a dust catcher, and belongs to the Solo CD555 camp,  accompanied with an S1 Aktiv System.

Just curious, what your take on the TT!

Do you own one?

Drewy posted:

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.

Couldn't agree more.. logic doesn't come into it.. and certainly in the U.K. the price you agree to pay is between you and the retailer .. it is illegal to have the price fixed and enforced by a third party such as a manufacturer or distributor.

Allante93 posted:

I notice some members fancy two sources, the old trusty LP 12 loaded, easily 30K, and the inferior CD555!

 

 CD555 inferior? not to my ears.

CD's are plenty and available.

LP's you have to pay through your nose, and then digitally mastered, it isn't a real analog LP anymore. Why put up with it?

Virtually all recordings are made on digital in 2017.

If anything I would say that Vinyl had it's day, it is over. They should close the factories that make it. There is no point since it doesn't come from true analog tape anymore.

on the flagship Klimax Exakt speakers the Lp12 signal goes through A/D and D/A. That isn't a real analog LP to my ears.

For those with extensive vinyl collections, and there are lots of us, vinyl certainly has not "had its day", and there are some great albums still being released on vinyl that sound better than their digital versions.

I discovered my Chord DAC sounded better than my 555, so there was no point hanging onto the latter. But it's a lovely thing and has a great feel of quality about it.

analogmusic posted:

on the flagship Klimax Exakt speakers the Lp12 signal goes through A/D and D/A. That isn't a real analog LP to my ears.

A good way of doing things. Very accurate RIAA equalisation done in the digital domain. I'm sure Rob Watts would approve 

Surely today you must compare the CD555 with the Chord combo before putting down your dollars.  The CD555 is sort of a legacy item now, the Chords are the cutting edge with their combined million taps etc.

i am not saying one is better than the other, that's a very personal thing.  I am just saying that you need to do your homework and decide for your ears which better fits the bill of the ultimate CD spinner.

i will say that I found my laptop as a digital streamer sounded better when I removed the spinning drive. Isolating the spinner from the conversion, like in the chord, has benefits.  In the case of Naim the off board power supply also has benefits.  Only the purchaser can tell which compromise is most important a delivers most satisfaction.

ps.  Did someone mention ART amplification.  Conrad Johnson ART?  As a CT5 LP70s owner I can only be jealous. GAT II & ART = drool city

If you want it, buy it. Of the CDS1/2/3 era, I much prefer the CDS1 sound. Not sure where I sit on CDS1 versus 555, not having done a comparison for a long time.

A new 555 is not what I would buy -- I would be looking at streaming now. But there are billions of CDs out there, and an almost unlimited quantity of music to enjoy at second hand prices on CD

Briz Vegas posted:

Surely today you must compare the CD555 with the Chord combo before putting down your dollars.  The CD555 is sort of a legacy item now, the Chords are the cutting edge with their combined million taps etc.

i am not saying one is better than the other, that's a very personal thing.  I am just saying that you need to do your homework and decide for your ears which better fits the bill of the ultimate CD spinner.

i will say that I found my laptop as a digital streamer sounded better when I removed the spinning drive. Isolating the spinner from the conversion, like in the chord, has benefits.  In the case of Naim the off board power supply also has benefits.  Only the purchaser can tell which compromise is most important a delivers most satisfaction.

ps.  Did someone mention ART amplification.  Conrad Johnson ART?  As a CT5 LP70s owner I can only be jealous. GAT II & ART = drool city

 

Chord combo meaning new blu2 transport and Dave? Around same money as cd555 actually

Emre - I wish you didn't start this thread 

Emre posted:

i think with streamers there will be always a better one around the corner for the half price......

Surely not half the price if it bears the Naim Audio brand name!

When I purchased mine new several years ago, I also wondered if I was doing the right thing, should I get a streaming system and DAC...etc. In the end I found the sheer capability of the 555 in musical terms won me over and I have never looked back. Every upgrade I have made with this source has revealed just how good it is. I can say that with Statement components I have not found it a limiting factor.

So it depends on what you want. If you want to have the experience that you are getting nearly everything possible from CD in musical terms from a source that has not been bettered, then the 555 is it IMO.

But would I buy one new now? Possibly, but I'd first check-out the streaming solutions to see if they give me what I want. For me they don't give me that sense of ease and confidence I get with the 555. We all have different expectations so it is a personal thing. I want to be impressed by a good streaming solution, I've had a home demo of the NDS with two supplies for a week and it is very good and I liked it a lot - it was the closest to the 555 yet, but it fell-short in terms of clarity and dynamics in a way that meant I would miss the 555 if I swapped. It did other things very well and in some areas possibly better than the 555, but not in terms of zest and life in the music and that engagement that catches your attention and makes you want to listen - this is the mark of a good HiFi source.

So although I would seriously audition whatever else is available, I know that the 555 does deliver.

Also all the comments about it being 'dull' are, in my experience of hearing one not set-up correctly, down to set-up. The 555 throws out a lot of deep bass and if not set-up on its own shelf with all cables, including Burndies, free to move if poked, then it will sound dull every time.

DB.

Get an NDS add CISCO switch, decent NAS and Ethernet cables, rip your CDs and listen to a superior sound to the CD555 at half the price. (Ex CDS3 and CD555 owner).

Jonn posted:

Get an NDS add CISCO switch, decent NAS and Ethernet cables, rip your CDs and listen to a superior sound to the CD555 at half the price. (Ex CDS3 and CD555 owner).

ı have a cisco switch, decent has and ethernet cables..... 272 streamer is just fine, but also cd2x...

ripping 225 mozart cd will be a pain 

you might be right.... 

need to get a very but very good deal on cd555- like a %50 good deal.. 

Emre posted:

need to get a very but very good deal on cd555- like a %50 good deal.. 

Get realistic please

Welcome back to earth

Only used second hand item purchases will be realistic then

analogmusic posted:

Allante93 posted:

I notice some members fancy two sources, the old trusty LP 12 loaded, easily 30K, and the inferior CD555!

 

 CD555 inferior? not to my ears.

CD's are plenty and available.

LP's you have to pay through your nose, and then digitally mastered, it isn't a real analog LP anymore. Why put up with it?

Virtually all recordings are made on digital in 2017.

If anything I would say that Vinyl had it's day, it is over. They should close the factories that make it. There is no point since it doesn't come from true analog tape anymore.

on the flagship Klimax Exakt speakers the Lp12 signal goes through A/D and D/A. That isn't a real analog LP to my ears.

on discogs you can find a lot original lps in mint condition, some even sealed. mobile fidelity and analogue productions are fabulous reissue analogue lps, not digital. 

Emre posted:

Jonn posted:

Get an NDS add CISCO switch, decent NAS and Ethernet cables, rip your CDs and listen to a superior sound to the CD555 at half the price. (Ex CDS3 and CD555 owner).

ı have a cisco switch, decent has and ethernet cables..... 272 streamer is just fine, but also cd2x...

ripping 225 mozart cd will be a pain 

you might be right.... 

need to get a very but very good deal on cd555- like a %50 good deal.. 

have you got my message?  audiodistribution affair?  ex demo for 60% reduction. 

Keler Pierre posted:

Emre posted:

Jonn posted:

Get an NDS add CISCO switch, decent NAS and Ethernet cables, rip your CDs and listen to a superior sound to the CD555 at half the price. (Ex CDS3 and CD555 owner).

ı have a cisco switch, decent has and ethernet cables..... 272 streamer is just fine, but also cd2x...

ripping 225 mozart cd will be a pain 

you might be right.... 

need to get a very but very good deal on cd555- like a %50 good deal.. 

have you got my message?  audiodistribution affair?  ex demo for 60% reduction. 

their web site is not working.... also EU prices of naim equipment are all different affair from UK list..

thank you very much, i will try for sure