ND555 Impressions
Posted by: Bert Schurink on 26 July 2018
The Beast will arrive and will be installed tomorrow morning in my system. So I thought it was a good moment to open up a thread with the fist experiences, also giving others the possibility to share their first impressions with the beast.
I feeel a bit like a little child who has his birthday tomorrow. I assume that even while it will be nice weather during the weekend that I will be a spending a lot of hours with my system.
And as expected my car will not arrive before the ND555.
dave marshall posted:Alley Cat posted:(edit)
sometimes I ask myself if it's better to 'go the whole hog' without interim steps when you know that's what you aspire to.
I do tend to agree with that strategy ............. but it only holds good until such time as Naim decide to launch some new kit which eclipses one's previously "top of the range" streamer .................... "disgruntled of North Yorks." ............ owner of a now obsolete and completely "broken" NDS.
Oh, the shame of it!
I’ll take it off your hands Dave, as a purely friendly gesture to save your blushes.
Alley Cat posted:Sounsfaber posted:Here’s one from left field. I would love to A/B this new nd555 with a cds2 for share musical enjoyment/fun/pRat. I gues the nd55its going to be the winning but at a new car price difference winner? I think Naim Audio have had it very good for a very very long time.
Just in a county where £30,000 is average yearly income and these get picked like a six pack of beer.
oh I’m glad and happy such a thing exists but how much better than a cds2/555ps. Is it really worth it really?
I know people work hard to be at that level, I have no envy only respect. It blows me away to read a form thread like this.
Sorry if you feel I crashed the thread apologies.
Respect
Nice post. The cost of these things is sobering.
20 years ago with a high-specced LP12, and active SBLs I thought I'd pretty much reached the peak of my hi-fi journey. Even with inflation I suspect many of those older items are small change compared to current high-end Naim gear let alone Statement level gear.
I once recall joking the diamond on my LP12's MC cartridge probably cost more than the one I'd bought my partner! This is no longer true I am pleased to say.
I'm fairly sure I could finance an ND 555 and required power supplies, but my older ancillary equipment would probably let it down, but sometimes I ask myself if it's better to 'go the whole hog' without interim steps when you know that's what you aspire to. Equally, would I be better going for 'silly money' LP12 upgrades I'd previously dismissed, but when you have a large vinyl collection and have never really been bowled over by CD or digital audio......
I also wonder how life might have been different had I not spent so much of my disposable income on hobbies - hi-fi, cameras, computers/gadgets since I had a regular wage.
With regard to the last comment, yes the new streamer may be the price of a car, but I've never been that bothered by cars - if it gets me from A to B I'm happy (unfortunately current car is failing so even A to B is doubtful!).
So while some of us may spend our disposable income or credit allowances on dreams, as you get older you really do realise you're only here once, and if something ticks the boxes and provides unsurpassed pleasure and enjoyment perhaps it's money well spent.....
Another edit, but am I alone in wondering why music has such a profound effect on so many of us, but we are ultimately a minority who strive for excellent audio quality - do we enjoy it more or just differently?
Alley Cat, your post could have been written by me, except the part where you gladly admit it's no longer the case that an LP12 cartridge costs more than your partner's diamond ring. My Kandid cart cost way more than SWMBO's damond ring (luckily she doesn't read this forum).
I'm rather suspecting that I'm not the only one who has followed the path in life that you have done... after all, it was a very understandable one. I have to say, though, that I applaud you for committing it to the internet; the effect is that many of us who wondered about our past sanity are now relieved to learn we are not alone 
rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:Sounsfaber posted:Here’s one from left field. I would love to A/B this new nd555 with a cds2 for share musical enjoyment/fun/pRat. I gues the nd55its going to be the winning but at a new car price difference winner? I think Naim Audio have had it very good for a very very long time.
Just in a county where £30,000 is average yearly income and these get picked like a six pack of beer.
oh I’m glad and happy such a thing exists but how much better than a cds2/555ps. Is it really worth it really?
I know people work hard to be at that level, I have no envy only respect. It blows me away to read a form thread like this.
Sorry if you feel I crashed the thread apologies.
Respect
Nice post. The cost of these things is sobering.
20 years ago with a high-specced LP12, and active SBLs I thought I'd pretty much reached the peak of my hi-fi journey. Even with inflation I suspect many of those older items are small change compared to current high-end Naim gear let alone Statement level gear.
I once recall joking the diamond on my LP12's MC cartridge probably cost more than the one I'd bought my partner! This is no longer true I am pleased to say.
I'm fairly sure I could finance an ND 555 and required power supplies, but my older ancillary equipment would probably let it down, but sometimes I ask myself if it's better to 'go the whole hog' without interim steps when you know that's what you aspire to. Equally, would I be better going for 'silly money' LP12 upgrades I'd previously dismissed, but when you have a large vinyl collection and have never really been bowled over by CD or digital audio......
I also wonder how life might have been different had I not spent so much of my disposable income on hobbies - hi-fi, cameras, computers/gadgets since I had a regular wage.
With regard to the last comment, yes the new streamer may be the price of a car, but I've never been that bothered by cars - if it gets me from A to B I'm happy (unfortunately current car is failing so even A to B is doubtful!).
So while some of us may spend our disposable income or credit allowances on dreams, as you get older you really do realise you're only here once, and if something ticks the boxes and provides unsurpassed pleasure and enjoyment perhaps it's money well spent.....
Another edit, but am I alone in wondering why music has such a profound effect on so many of us, but we are ultimately a minority who strive for excellent audio quality - do we enjoy it more or just differently?
Alley Cat, your post could have been written by me, except the part where you gladly admit it's no longer the case that an LP12 cartridge costs more than your partner's diamond ring. My Kandid cart cost way more than SWMBO's damond ring (luckily she doesn't read this forum).
I'm rather suspecting that I'm not the only one who has followed the path in life that you have done... after all, it was a very understandable one. I have to say, though, that I applaud you for committing it to the internet; the effect is that many of us who wondered about our past sanity are now relieved to learn we are not alone
I have a plan - now all I need to do is find a cheap cubic zirconia lookalike, sell the Tiffany ring and I'll have the new streamer before anyone notices 
Thanks to all for your informative and helpful positive feedback. Your efforts to share it with the rest of the forum are very genuinely appreciated. However, I still hate you all .. 
Good job I’m currently fully enraptured by rediscovering my Vinyl !
kevin J Carden posted:Thanks to all for your informative and helpful positive feedback. Your efforts to share it with the rest of the forum are very genuinely appreciated. However, I still hate you all ..
Good job I’m currently fully enraptured by rediscovering my Vinyl !
I'd waited a long time for a Naim streamer/digital player and thought the new Unit all in ones were the answer. Atom was great and well worth more than the outlay. Nova in a different league and probably exceptional value if you want an all-in-one, trouble is I wanted to use my old Naim gear (NAP 250's etc).
The huge change - getting all my LP12 bits out of storage - I'm hooked on vinyl in a way I've not been in the last 5-10 years and it sounds superb via the Nova's digitised analogue input.
Must say, it's getting rather lonely here in the NDS Retirement Village.
Hook posted:Must say, it's getting rather lonely here in the NDS Retirement Village.
Yes, I too am in the NDS retirement home. Indeed, I asked the nurse why she puts Viagra in our Horlicks. Apparently it stops us rolling out of bed at night.
Nighty, night.
nigelb posted:Hook posted:Must say, it's getting rather lonely here in the NDS Retirement Village.
Yes, I too am in the NDS retirement home. Indeed, I asked the nurse why she puts Viagra in our Horlicks. Apparently it stops us rolling out of bed at night.
Nighty, night.
Is there some kind of staff to stiffy ratio in operation?
Alley Cat posted:rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:Alley Cat, your post could have been written by me, except the part where you gladly admit it's no longer the case that an LP12 cartridge costs more than your partner's diamond ring. My Kandid cart cost way more than SWMBO's damond ring (luckily she doesn't read this forum).
I'm rather suspecting that I'm not the only one who has followed the path in life that you have done... after all, it was a very understandable one. I have to say, though, that I applaud you for committing it to the internet; the effect is that many of us who wondered about our past sanity are now relieved to learn we are not alone
I have a plan - now all I need to do is find a cheap cubic zirconia lookalike, sell the Tiffany ring and I'll have the new streamer before anyone notices
Alley Cat, you are sooo close to home, it's scary ! This is one of the sins that will be read out to me by Saint Peter when I reach the Pearly Gates.
Just for clarification, though, this particular sin was committed a very long time ago, even before Julian became interested in electronics. My moral compass is since much improved.
rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:Alley Cat, your post could have been written by me, except the part where you gladly admit it's no longer the case that an LP12 cartridge costs more than your partner's diamond ring. My Kandid cart cost way more than SWMBO's damond ring (luckily she doesn't read this forum).
I'm rather suspecting that I'm not the only one who has followed the path in life that you have done... after all, it was a very understandable one. I have to say, though, that I applaud you for committing it to the internet; the effect is that many of us who wondered about our past sanity are now relieved to learn we are not alone
I have a plan - now all I need to do is find a cheap cubic zirconia lookalike, sell the Tiffany ring and I'll have the new streamer before anyone notices
Alley Cat, you are sooo close to home, it's scary ! This is one of the sins that will be read out to me by Saint Peter when I reach the Pearly Gates.
Just for clarification, though, this particular sin was committed a very long time ago, even before Julian became interested in electronics. My moral compass is since much improved.
I'm only joking of course 
Alley Cat posted:rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:rjstaines posted:Alley Cat posted:Alley Cat, your post could have been written by me, except the part where you gladly admit it's no longer the case that an LP12 cartridge costs more than your partner's diamond ring. My Kandid cart cost way more than SWMBO's damond ring (luckily she doesn't read this forum).
I'm rather suspecting that I'm not the only one who has followed the path in life that you have done... after all, it was a very understandable one. I have to say, though, that I applaud you for committing it to the internet; the effect is that many of us who wondered about our past sanity are now relieved to learn we are not alone
I have a plan - now all I need to do is find a cheap cubic zirconia lookalike, sell the Tiffany ring and I'll have the new streamer before anyone notices
Alley Cat, you are sooo close to home, it's scary ! This is one of the sins that will be read out to me by Saint Peter when I reach the Pearly Gates.
Just for clarification, though, this particular sin was committed a very long time ago, even before Julian became interested in electronics. My moral compass is since much improved.
I'm only joking of course
Ooops !