NDS

I know what you mean ... just moved to NDS with 555. Lots of extra rhythmic detail ... red book CD ripped to flacs sounds fabulous. ;-)

It's good to see that the old speakers are still going strong. I bet it sounds great with the NDS. 

Nigel - yes!  Ten years now that I have had them, can you believe it?  Sounding superb - better than I could have hoped for, perhaps - but with a pretty classic Naim line up of 52/250/sc/SBLs it shouldn't be a surprise.  

I have been wanting an NDS for around 5 or 6 years now, so this really feels like arriving at a destination in terms of source (a second 555 will wait quite a long while before being considered).  I am probably going to keep the LP12, I think - my wife really wants me to do that (I don't really understand why - it's not like she actually listens to any music!), but will look into a record cleaning machine next I think.  (Although I need to do something about the network and where I put the Unitiserve)

I was so pleased to find an NDS at a trusted dealer - I had budgeted to buy a new one next year but a second hand one at a sensible price is all I could ask for - and the cost saving isn't far off the cost of upgrading the LP12's power supply, so maybe that will happen next year.  Or not!

living in lancs yearning for yorks posted:

I have been wanting an NDS for around 5 or 6 years now, so this really feels like arriving at a destination in terms of source (a second 555 will wait quite a long while before being considered).  I am probably going to keep the LP12, I think - my wife really wants me to do that (I don't really understand why - it's not like she actually listens to any music!), but will look into a record cleaning machine next I think.  (Although I need to do something about the network and where I put the Unitiserve)

I was so pleased to find an NDS at a trusted dealer - I had budgeted to buy a new one next year but a second hand one at a sensible price is all I could ask for - and the cost saving isn't far off the cost of upgrading the LP12's power supply, so maybe that will happen next year.  Or not!

Glad you are so happy and good to see you again Lanks Yorks.

As always just listen and do the demonstration. You will then know the best course of action for you.

KR

Peter

While on the subject of items bought from trusted dealers, if Peter reads this I'd like to say that my SL2s are just as wonderful as the day they arrived nearly two years ago.

Since 'my' SBLs departed for LILYFY then years ago I've had nSats, Allaes, Spendor A5s (disaster), Neat Motive 1s (another disaster), Kabers, IBLs, PMC GB1i, PMC twenty23s, before the SL2s saved me from that madness. There is something lovely about an all Naim system. I've never heard an NDS and very likely never will, but it seems a lovely thing. 

Ha - Nigel - he replied just before you did

So what's the difference from SBLs to SL2s, Nigel?  I don't think I have ever heard SL2s in action - have seen the odd pair appear for sale and then disappear quickly, and Wayne did suggest I could consider a pair - though Peter was pointing to new Kudos super 20s (I think) as being something SBL owners have moved to.  I could maybe get SL2s without needing to hear (if I don't like I can always punt them on without much ££ risk) - did the same for the SBLs and they have been a very good purchase (though I also ought to try out my AE1s again - the 250 and improved front end might bring dividends from them) 

Peter - re power supply I will definitely be listening before purchase - would need to be a big improvement to justify ££s - I do like occasional but very big improvements in quality on upgrades, as you know!

I auditioned SL2s several times as a potential replacement to my SBLs. I found them to be as good but not better and saved the cash that I was prepared to spend on them. Have been using SBLs since '89 and still love them. I found SBLs a little more up front and engaging with SL2s more refined but less enjoyable.

If you do go for SL2s do hang on to the SBLs just in case. It is also easier to get spares currently for the older 'speaker which is strange! Nigel holds the opposite view which shows just how capable both of these speakers are if set up correctly in an appropriate system which you clearly have.

Have fun,

Stu

I had hoped not to read a post praising the NDS as I've got the upgrade itch and it needs scratching. Currently got a bare NDX so NDS & 555 is quite a large £ outlay even with one or both components being used or ex-dem. Recent improvements to my LP and the purchase of a RCM (best £ for £ upgrade I've ever done) have put the spotlight now on the NDX. My amps and speakers are as good as they will ever be.

Do I get a PSU first for the NDX? Do I just bite the bullet and get best NDS 555 combo I can find. Decisions, decisions.

Enjoy your NDS LILYFY ( I too yearn for Yorks as being from God's Own County myself) - mine might be along later this year

Overprint - sorry!  I had an ND5XS powered by 555 (the 555 was bought to power the CDS2) and have only ever heard NDX in a streaming afternoon run by Naim at a dealer - which ran from ND5XS through NDX to NDS, and that was before I got the ND5XS.  My ultimate aim was always to get to the NDS but that dealer had an ND5XS traded in against NDX shortly after that demo and I got it at a very advantageous price.

Therefore I am unable to advise on NDX plus a PS (though I have read on here that adding a 555 throws the NDX off a bit) other than to say it could well be a good idea to try an XPS2, which I think is available used at pretty good prices now and then when you go to NDS you will have the NDX and XPS2 to trade in

Stuart - thanks.  Maybe I should splurge on SL2s when I see some - though that would bring the total number of speakers in my house to a silly number (1. Mission 70 Mk 2 bought in 1985, 2. Acoustic Energy AE1 bought 1990, 3. SBL bought 2007, 4. full n-system bought 2007, 5. nSats in my loft / study) as I have never sold any speakers that I bought!  Am hoping my daughters will express an interest in proper music some day (to pass some of them on) instead of spotify / mp3 but no luck so far!