possible upgrade to ND555 and separate preamp

You can't take your money with you when you die. 

I just replaced the 272 in my 555DR / 300DR system with a nearly new NDS and 252/SCDR.

So not a ND555 but the uplift in everything is astonishing.

Before spending 55K I would suggest visiting a dealer where you can demo — even if this involves a lengthy care journey or taking a flight to somewhere further afield. Only you can answer the question... 

As above. Don't blink until you've had a good listen in advance. I can only speak for the 552 with the NDS. Which sounds so unforced, natural and wonderful that I find it impossible to imagine how the ND555 could significantly improve the presentation. Happily, imagination won't be required for much longer. And to loop it back to my second sentence, I'll be having a good long audition and reverting back to NDS before I make any expensive decisions.

I just went from a five year old 252 to a 14 year old 552 three days ago. I intend to DR/recap the 552 in 12 months time. And then keep it for the next 15 years. At least. 

If money is not really an issue, IMO, the ND555 and 252/SCDR or 552 is well spent money. I also have an NDS and I'm extremely happy with it. I wonder how much better the ND555 can be. But I'm sure the good folks at Naim know exactly what they are doing. 

In my particular case, buying and selling pre-loved, the price difference is very justifiable. If my girlfriend new though, how much my system costs, she would not justify. 

Is it really only an extra $10k to go beyond a 252/sc to a 552?  For me they would be an easy choice but really having a listen for yourself is mandatory

552 first and later either ND555 or used NDS, just demo once ND555 is available 

jsaudio posted:

Current system: 272/PS555 DR/ 300 DR

Would be very interested in having the the new ND555 streamer which will cost close to 20K here in US. Already have the PS555.

I would then need to buy a separate pre-amp either a 252 and SC or a 552 along with associated interconnects and 2 more Fraim shelves.

I'm quite happy with my current system but as most of you on this forum understand, always looking for upgrade.

The cost is very substantial about 45K with the 252 option and about 55K for the 552 option for this upgrade.

Can the likely improvement in SQ justify such a price? Would you do it if you can handle it financially.

Interested in your thoughts

Retail is $22K on the ND555 in USA . Hopefully it is worth it. The Naim NDS was $12.9K  I really hope some day I can compare the two. I own an NDS. How much do you think a 2 1/2 year old NDS would resell for in USA? 

jsaudio posted:

Current system: 272/PS555 DR/ 300 DR

Would be very interested in having the the new ND555 streamer which will cost close to 20K here in US. Already have the PS555.

I would then need to buy a separate pre-amp either a 252 and SC or a 552 along with associated interconnects and 2 more Fraim shelves.

I'm quite happy with my current system but as most of you on this forum understand, always looking for upgrade.

The cost is very substantial about 45K with the 252 option and about 55K for the 552 option for this upgrade.

Can the likely improvement in SQ justify such a price? Would you do it if you can handle it financially.

Interested in your thoughts

Jsaudio what is your current source for music ?

272...

That’s quite an investment you are talking about. I would on the one hand argue you only live once, but for many they would also see other alternative investment opportunities. If any upgrade is worth the money only you can tell. But always let your ears decide and decide after good elaboration. Sometimes people buy on impulse out of a demo room. If you consider such an upgrade path, you also might want to consider a user 552 and a used NDS as the first step in the upgrade path, it would definitely significantly reduce the investment to make.

I had the excat same Setup and now bought a 552, using it with cd2x

i was happy with 272 but 552 is better, i can not say it is wow better yet because it is chancing... but not dissapointed for a second

my rationel into this extravagant upgrade is that this is the final preamp for me, the streaming and DACs will Change faster and faster.....

so i will park my 552 and maybe a future nap500 and play with sources, maybe not even go to top level Digital sources if i can resist...

i am 45 preparing for my end game and feel like 552 is something that i can  pass to my children where a streamer/dac will be like modern cell phones 

also the personality plays big part on this decision other than funds, will you be writing to this forum about 552 in Coupe of years or will you be happly live with your 252

you may as well skip one step of agony and get the 552...

Naim cleverly upgraded NDS, renamed it to 555 and nearly doubled the price, thats how to create profit.

Perol posted:

Naim cleverly upgraded NDS, renamed it to 555 and nearly doubled the price, thats how to create profit.

 

 

I think ND555 will be better than the NDS but it will almost be double the price in the USA. So hard to know if it worth that much more or not . If you want the best it is . Will it be 20% better , 35% better or so much better you can not put a number on it?  I am anxious to hear what people say who get to compare the two . 

S3 posted:

272...

NDS would sound dramatically better than 272 . So the ND555 would be a monster upgrade I would bet .  

jsaudio posted:

Current system: 272/PS555 DR/ 300 DR

Would be very interested in having the the new ND555 streamer which will cost close to 20K here in US. Already have the PS555.

I would then need to buy a separate pre-amp either a 252 and SC or a 552 along with associated interconnects and 2 more Fraim shelves.

I'm quite happy with my current system but as most of you on this forum understand, always looking for upgrade.

The cost is very substantial about 45K with the 252 option and about 55K for the 552 option for this upgrade.

Can the likely improvement in SQ justify such a price? Would you do it if you can handle it financially.

Interested in your thoughts

You already have a stupendously superb system. Yes, the ND555/552 combo will be better by about 10-20% than what you have now,but will require a 800-1000% increased expenditure to replace the 272 with 3 Black super deluxe boxes.

I would do it if the money was play money and would not get in the way of my retirement investment plan. If it was to put me under financial pressure I would avoid it like the plague, and just buy a Chord Music Ethernet cable.

55k would be too much for me. That’s a lot of money. 

My source is 99% local streaming with 272 from QNAP both ripped and 24 bit downloads and Tidal. I do have an old Rega Planar -2 but very rarely use.

I think I will wait to see what Naim does with a 272 successor which I would imagine will be soon. I do agree with KIWI CAT's analysis. The law of diminishing returns is clearly in play here.

I'm also concerned that an update to the analog preamps is in the offing as well. 

Thanks for all the great comments/advice so far.

BTW my ethenet cable runs over 50 feet from basement where my router and switch reside to the room where HiFi lives.

1. Can you afford it?
2. Have you demo’d the 555 - not yet obviously. 
3. When you have done 2 above is it a significant improvement?
4. Will it be worth it to you?

Regards,

Lindsay

Kiwi cat posted:

jsaudio posted:

Current system: 272/PS555 DR/ 300 DR

Would be very interested in having the the new ND555 streamer which will cost close to 20K here in US. Already have the PS555.

I would then need to buy a separate pre-amp either a 252 and SC or a 552 along with associated interconnects and 2 more Fraim shelves.

I'm quite happy with my current system but as most of you on this forum understand, always looking for upgrade.

The cost is very substantial about 45K with the 252 option and about 55K for the 552 option for this upgrade.

Can the likely improvement in SQ justify such a price? Would you do it if you can handle it financially.

Interested in your thoughts

You already have a stupendously superb system. Yes, the ND555/552 combo will be better by about 10-20% than what you have now,but will require a 800-1000% increased expenditure to replace the 272 with 3 Black super deluxe boxes.

I would do it if the money was play money and would not get in the way of my retirement investment plan. If it was to put me under financial pressure I would avoid it like the plague, and just buy a Chord Music Ethernet cable.

An NDS/555DR combo is at least 20% better or more than streaming from 272.  If you want an improvement , there will be NDS streamers for sale soon when the Naim consumers upgrade to ND555.  Get one of those second hand and you will have an excellent upgrade !  There would be a notable uptick in sound quality and it would not kill your budget! 

I am in awe of these guys who can put a percentage on how much better a component (or even a combination of components) is over another, sometimes on a component that hasn't even been heard or launched! How do you guys do it?

One more question, what is the percentage actually a measure of?

Yours, in admiration.

I am getting 85 % of what you are saying Nigel......I look forward to their comments   

I remember years ago in Hi -Fi News and Record Review.Martin Colloms had a percentage scoring factor for what he was reviewing and I think something once hit 105 % on his subjective score.The next edition someone wrote in and said what doe's 105 % mean ? and why can't he mark stuff as 100 % being the top.The new editor seemed to agree and said he found it also baffling.

The small downside to Musicfan’s analysis is that while streaming from an NDS may sound 20% better than streaming from a 272, the result would be 100% worse as the OP would then need a preamp, which goes back to the original issue. I have the same electronics as the OP, and am constantly surprised by how good it can sound. I’ve pondered a ND555 and a 552, but £33,000 less the trade in of the 272 is an awful lot of money. Then there are more shelves, more burndies, extra mains sockets, an SL interconnect. I’ve had a 552 before and it was brilliant, but the 272/555, while derided by some, punches far above its weight. I’m hoping a replacement 272 appears in due course and that it’s a sufficiently big improvement to make a change worthwhile. Even better would be a 372 with no inbuilt power supply and twin power supply sockets. I’ve been thinking that a new streaming preamp might be the box that fills the yawning price gap between the NDX2 at £5,000 and the ND555 at £13,000. A 372 for £8,000? I’ll take it!!

I'm around 35% convinced that we'll see a 372.