Silver lining?

And make sure that your dealer removed the suspension locking bolts from under the unit when they install it...

I look forward to reading about your experience, Consciousmess, as I hope to do the same very shortly. Having experienced the NAC552 on numerous occasions at Cymbiosis, I am certain that you'll be delighted. 

Richard Dane posted:

And make sure that your dealer removed the suspension locking bolts from under the unit when they install it...

Has that been known to happen on a dealer installation? 

Hopefully it's rare but yes, I went once to visit a customer of a dealer (not in the UK) who had a NAC552 on loan and was wondering where the "magic" was.  I quickly found it as soon as I saw that the locking bolts were still in place and so removed them. Sadly it was probably too late - the customer had already formed an opinion on the 552 and I imagine that the confidence in the dealer was shaken. A great shame, but likely an error that the dealer was never going to repeat.

My experience with an overseas dealer was less than encouraging too. Is their training left to the importers? This one couldn't solder Naim plugs on A5 and was happy to install a system without an earth connection.

If you already have the nDAC, I would not bother going NDS at this point in time considering it is overdue for a refresh.

engjoo posted:

If you already have the nDAC, I would not bother going NDS at this point in time considering it is overdue for a refresh.

That's a bit presumptious, given you do not own neither the nDac nor the NDS...

Your dealer also needs to make sure that the 552 is level on your rack and does not rock. My dealer detected a very slight rocking under the feet of mine and brought a kits of shims to cure it.  

Adam Zielinski posted:

engjoo posted:

If you already have the nDAC, I would not bother going NDS at this point in time considering it is overdue for a refresh.

That's a bit presumptious, given you do not own neither the nDac nor the NDS...

Sure. There is nothing wrong beiong presumptous anyway. This is just simple logic. Unless you can get a pre loved NDS (cheap), it really does not make sense getting one if you already have nDAC. 

It's arrived, installed and playing.  First impressions...

Straight away there is a new layer in the high frequencies, and a greater 3D depth. I can be completely honest though, slightly bright and over rich, but I expected something like that straight away, The speakers have grown in size too. Exciting stuff as I think by this weekend the sound will have settled down. I don't know about you guys but I will leave the 24bit 96kHz albums until then!!

I would play the best sounding album now if I were you

Don't be surprised if it still sounds lumpy even after three weeks! I'm three months in after a big service and it's still getting better. They'll come the night when music is simply breathtaking and you'd swear the instruments are in the room with you. I'm reminded of the words from the matrix that goes...strap yourself in Dorothy 'cause Kansas is about to go bye-bye!

I guess this is a side benefit of having ones life absorbed with work and a 9 month old!  I won't be able to sit down and enjoy until Saturday... where I guess warming up will have got underway.

And yes, it's all the more exciting that sound will astonish me.  Roll on Xmas eh?!!

Apart from the burn-in period, the 552 will take several days to properly warm up and settle.  I'm sure you will notice an improvement by the weekend. 

A quick Friday listen... yeah it's more settled, there is a controlled thump to the bass making the speakers appear even bigger, the voice echo lingers more, there's kind of like more drive - a waking up of the music maybe?

Its mad as I can see what people have been getting at!

I have some great bits of music I'm holding back on, maybe until tomorrow when I have the house to myself!

Consciousmess posted:

A quick Friday listen... yeah it's more settled, there is a controlled thump to the bass making the speakers appear even bigger, the voice echo lingers more, there's kind of like more drive - a waking up of the music maybe?

Its mad as I can see what people have been getting at!

I have some great bits of music I'm holding back on, maybe until tomorrow when I have the house to myself!

Your going to be in for a great weekend, enjoy 

Drewy posted:

The 552 is good but be careful as you might desire a statement. 

What is the price for to have the Statement serviced? Probably more than my entire system....

Consciousmess posted:

Sad but perhaps fortunate dilemma due to recent Grandfather's will...

Presently I am delighted with what I have, wish I could upload a picture:

HDX with 1.5 Tb music  + nDAC + 555 PS

252 + SC2 DR

300 DR

Monitor Audio PL 200s

nVi + nSUB + nCENT + Monitor Audio Studio 20 SE

NACA5 + Powerlines

Nonetheless I am considering two options:

1) Changing the 252 SC2 DR for 552 DR

2) Changing the nDAC for NDS and getting a second PS 5555 (I want to keep my HDX as source).

So maybe the question in the context of my system is... will the sound improvement of 252 - 552 be higher than the NDS + 2 555 PS from nDAC + 1 555 PS?

I guess the NDS has other benefits too (streaming albeit with internet fallibility).

I'm purchasing used so cannot audition in my listening room.

Any pointers?

Cheers!

Just curious why you want to keep the HDX. I can only imagine that is like a ticking time bomb for your system. Do you have the external storage version?

Hi Kevin, I think there's a variable to consider for many hifi enthusiasts who aren't as well heeled as full 500 system and Statement owners. Or maybe it's just me, as alas I don't mix with kindred spirits - the forum is only my means to connect to fellow enthusiasts!

The variable is 'having ripped and downloaded ones own music on it; familiarity with unit; having had it serviced and upgraded; satisfaction with how it fits in' - a bit like a pet dog.

I guess I benefit from not being able to hear systems better than mine as I am oblivious as to what I'm missing out on!!

i've never heard music this good!!

Wow it is settling in! Jeese there's a new system in front of me that I didn't expect. The realism is magnified, voices are clearer - kind of like the guttural timbre of Bob Dylan is increased. Blind Willie McTell for example.

And then there's some outstanding 24 bit 196 kHz. I have a piece - can't stand jazz but this one piece is the highest fidelity I've heard and I recommend you listen on your system:

Rebecca Pidgeon Spanish Harlem

What a piece of equipment. I'm so glad I'm unable to hear any thing better because this sound trumps what I had - and I am confident it will continue!

Consciousmess posted:

A quick Friday listen... yeah it's more settled, there is a controlled thump to the bass making the speakers appear even bigger, the voice echo lingers more, there's kind of like more drive - a waking up of the music maybe?

Its mad as I can see what people have been getting at!

I have some great bits of music I'm holding back on, maybe until tomorrow when I have the house to myself!

Glad things are looking up, as your System is coming around.

Just looked at your profile, nice!

Let's see: Marque Separates

Amps: DR

500

300

Pre-Amps DR

552

252

282

PS

555 PS DR

SC

HC

Well, quite a journey, you have earned your Card. You have experienced an array of Naim's Marque Separates.

HDX>Ndac>555 PS......

Word of Caution:

Don't tune into, Chords Music in Da House!

LOL!

Enjoy What You Have!

It really is Personal!

Allante93!

PS. The Pecking Order is Intriguing!

Wow got to pot again. What a sound!!

i just can't believe it gets better than this. Gobsmacked. I was so impressed with my 252 setup, but that veil and depth - and speaker size! Man it's so real!!

In fact with my system I think it's optimised - although, yes although I have not got the nDAC and HDX Powelined. The power supplies are 552PS; 555PS; 300PS, but hot the nDAC and HDX. What a sound I must say!!!

is it worth giving them both a Powerline???

You could try that

Richard Dane posted:

And make sure that your dealer removed the suspension locking bolts from under the unit when they install it...

Naim noob here... Are "suspension locking bolts" an issue on NAC-N272? NAP 250 DR? XPS DR?

No. The locking bolts are found on the NAC552 because the boards are fixed to heavy mass loaded suspension system. Similar is found in CD555, Superline etc..