ND555 Impressions

nigelb posted:

Re-populated with what?......pray tell.

Finally going to some separates - 252/SCDR/250DR.  Slightly unconventional as I always am, but this should work in my space. 

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Re-populated with what?......pray tell.

Finally going to some separates - 252/SCDR/250DR.  Slightly unconventional as I always am, but this should work in my space. 

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

nigelb posted:

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

As mentioned, the SN2 revealed what the ND555 brings.  So no no no do NOT listen at home!

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

As mentioned, the SN2 revealed what the ND555 brings.  So no no no do NOT listen at home!

I had a NDX2 on order till last weekend but after having an unexpected home demo of a ND555/555PS  the NDX2 has been cancelled and the ND555 ordered !!!!

nigelb posted:

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Re-populated with what?......pray tell.

Finally going to some separates - 252/SCDR/250DR.  Slightly unconventional as I always am, but this should work in my space. 

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

Nigel, it’s so easy.......don,t listen to it. I made the mistake......I will listen to the NDX2. But I know the outcome.

Resistance is futile..........

Pcd posted:

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

As mentioned, the SN2 revealed what the ND555 brings.  So no no no do NOT listen at home!

I had a NDX2 on order till last weekend but after having an unexpected home demo of a ND555/555PS  the NDX2 has been cancelled and the ND555 ordered !!!!

It was significantly easier for me, as I already owned the 555DR, and the trade-in was made easy.

Gazza posted:

nigelb posted:

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Re-populated with what?......pray tell.

Finally going to some separates - 252/SCDR/250DR.  Slightly unconventional as I always am, but this should work in my space. 

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

Nigel, it’s so easy.......don,t listen to it. I made the mistake......I will listen to the NDX2. But I know the outcome.

But now things are not so easy at all. If the 252/SCDR/250DR does justice to the ND555, it makes 'where to upgrade next' (from NDS/555DR source) a tricky dilemma. Amplification next or ND555 to go with my 555DR next (bearing in mind my speakers will be attended to)?

Damn you Naim......so many ways to spend our hard earned!

I know.....but the wife is watching. I have a green card for the ND555 but in my mind the NDX2 could be funkier, and I need a preamp to purchase as well which makes it a big expense....it’s probably a forgone conclusion. Deeper assimilation into the Naim collective is happening, resistance is futile. I sold my CDS/82/hicap/250,s into SBL,s many years ago.......I thought a Muso would complete my retirement. I then added a Core for my CD collection, got the music bug

Bought the Nova, added a 250, then my current Nap 300. But I am happy, and seeing so many friends of my age passing away just encourages me to enjoy music more,in all its aspects, boxes or the cd,s etc

Richieroo posted:

Resistance is futile..........

And you realise this in a matter of minutes ?

Pcd posted:

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

As mentioned, the SN2 revealed what the ND555 brings.  So no no no do NOT listen at home!

I had a NDX2 on order till last weekend but after having an unexpected home demo of a ND555/555PS  the NDX2 has been cancelled and the ND555 ordered !!!!

Congratulations! Bet you love it ! 

Gazza posted:

I know.....but the wife is watching. I have a green card for the ND555 but in my mind the NDX2 could be funkier, and I need a preamp to purchase as well which makes it a big expense....it’s probably a forgone conclusion. Deeper assimilation into the Naim collective is happening, resistance is futile. I sold my CDS/82/hicap/250,s into SBL,s many years ago.......I thought a Muso would complete my retirement. I then added a Core for my CD collection, got the music bug

Bought the Nova, added a 250, then my current Nap 300. But I am happy, and seeing so many friends of my age passing away just encourages me to enjoy music more,in all its aspects, boxes or the cd,s etc

 

I hear you Gazza. It sounds like you are sliding down that slippery slope in Salisbury again.

But like you, I love my music and am edging towards retirement, or certainly wanting to slow down and increase my leisure time, a good chunk of which will be filled with listening to great music. So gettiing ever-more enjoyment from upgrading the system is a consideration.

But where do you stop? When do you decide to spend more on music and less on hardware? It is a tricky one and this flippin' ND555 has put the cat among the pigeons and thrown many well thought out upgrading plans up in the air, I would wager!

But in a way, these are nice problems to have as long as you don't over-stretch yourself financially or loose sight of what is really important, like wife, kids and health.

nigelb posted:

Gazza posted:

nigelb posted:

Bart posted:

nigelb posted:

Re-populated with what?......pray tell.

Finally going to some separates - 252/SCDR/250DR.  Slightly unconventional as I always am, but this should work in my space. 

Really interested to hear your thoughts on the final system as the amplification that is filling the gaps in your Fraim is exactly what I have, only I am feeding it with a NDS. So it would be great to hear what the ND555 does with this particular amplification set. Not that I would ever splash out on a ND555.....no, no,....not me.

Nigel, it’s so easy.......don,t listen to it. I made the mistake......I will listen to the NDX2. But I know the outcome.

But now things are not so easy at all. If the 252/SCDR/250DR does justice to the ND555, it makes 'where to upgrade next' (from NDS/555DR source) a tricky dilemma. Amplification next or ND555 to go with my 555DR next (bearing in mind my speakers will be attended to)?

Damn you Naim......so many ways to spend our hard earned!

there was a recent thread:  nd555 or better pre, something like that.   The member had 282/ hicap/ 250 and nds.   But you have the 252...    difficult question, i have the same interrogation.

nigelb posted:

 

But where do you stop? When do you decide to spend more on music and less on hardware? It is a tricky one and this flippin' ND555 has put the cat among the pigeons and thrown many well thought out upgrading plans up in the air, I would wager!

……

been listening to my system into the wee hours lately.  in almost all cases, this starts with 'oh, I haven't listened to xxxx for sometime'  -- and then the xxxx becomes xxxxs -- and the next time I look at the clock, its past 0300hours.

if I were sensible, I wouldn't spend any more money upgrading the system as I don't sit there thinking 'I wish I had more of this and more of that'. I really shouldn't spend any more money on music either as I think I have enough (with sufficient variety) to keep me entertained to my grave.

the punchline, of course, is that I am NOT 'sensible'...

enjoy

/ken

Absolutely Nigel......I have the cash, how long will I live, great pension, enjoy it now.........that’s where I am. And yes elderly parents and what the children will need are a factor......but as the latter keep telling me, stop trying to lead our lives, oh well.

Gazza posted:

Absolutely Nigel......I have the cash, how long will I live, great pension, enjoy it now.........that’s where I am. And yes elderly parents and what the children will need are a factor......but as the latter keep telling me, stop trying to lead our lives, oh well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's the spirit, Gary. Good on you.  

I understand that we cannot save our money but ... could we try to save some whitespace?

Gazza posted:

Absolutely Nigel......I have the cash, how long will I live, great pension, enjoy it now.........that’s where I am. And yes elderly parents and what the children will need are a factor......but as the latter keep telling me, stop trying to lead our lives, oh well.

  

BTW Gazza, my thoughts about future HiFi 'investments' were aimed at myself, not at you, I hope you understand.

Let us know what you decide. Interesting times!

ND555 will have some serious upgraditis effect on this community, that’s for sure. It’s the modern full blown Sondek disguised as a black box...

//Jonas

Nigel...I know, we both have the same interest, but each our own journey, loved ones, and a path to decide on. Though a nice break with lots of fine wine, food and luxury touches seemed to help my lovely wife to enjoy more now, rather than be rich and unable to enjoy our current interests later in life. We are luckier than most....

Jonas Olofsson posted:

ND555 will have some serious upgraditis effect on this community, that’s for sure. It’s the modern full blown Sondek disguised as a black box...

//Jonas

When I had the ND555 on demo last weekend as the first tack was played I actually  said to the installation engineer the musical experience of the ND555 reminded me of the first time I heard a LP12 with a Grace arm and Supex cartridge way back in 1983, you knew you're listening to something rather special.

Same here! I’m a bit shocked to be honest. Very long time since I had “that” experience. 

I would say it’s something like “understanding-the-music-kind-of-thing”. Makes sense?

//Jonas

Gazza posted:

I know.....but the wife is watching. I have a green card for the ND555 but in my mind the NDX2 could be funkier, and I need a preamp to purchase as well which makes it a big expense....it’s probably a forgone conclusion. Deeper assimilation into the Naim collective is happening, resistance is futile. I sold my CDS/82/hicap/250,s into SBL,s many years ago.......I thought a Muso would complete my retirement. I then added a Core for my CD collection, got the music bug

Bought the Nova, added a 250, then my current Nap 300. But I am happy, and seeing so many friends of my age passing away just encourages me to enjoy music more,in all its aspects, boxes or the cd,s etc

 

 

 

 

Hi Gazza, I’ve just upgraded to a Nova from UnitiCute2/NAP100. I’d be interest to hear your thoughts on what the NAP300 brings to the Nova, especially as the Nova is 80W and the NAP300 90W.

Well first, the Nova was never my end point. I did the demo for Nova and asked for a Nap250 just to hear the potential for an upgrade....with the speakers I bought at the same time. They are PMC25.26. The Nap 250 just tightened everything up, added some more control of the speakers. A few weeks after I bought the Nova, my dealer had a second hand Nap 250 dr for 2k.....could not resist. Then a few months later the Nap 300 was an ex demo offer, a few more £K later. I am not great on explaining improvements, but it’s a big step up from the Nova, and Nova with the 250. It’s really effortless, musical, totally in control of these speakers. The output of the Naim amps are deceiving, even the Nap500 is only 140w......but very special.

But as I started out I always had my end point as the new streamers and the Nova was a great way to learn the new Naim streaming system and software, and hopefully be a better trade in than other options I was offered. Depending on what you are trying to do the total cost of £12k for Nova/300 could be better spent. However, the combo is a lot of fun and I have been waiting for the ND555 dust to settle before upgrading, still enjoying the Nova/300. It’s a classic mullet and I luv it.

nbpf posted:

I understand that we cannot save our money but ... could we try to save some whitespace?

What about saving some whitespace by avoiding posting pointless and irritating comments?