ND555 Impressions

nigelb posted:

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?

That's also a good idea but vertical whitespace is much easier to see and avoid. Just scroll down and backwards delete before pressing the "Post Reply" button! What people find pointless and irritating is, on the other hand, more difficult to spot.

nbpf posted:

nigelb posted:

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?

That's also a good idea but vertical whitespace is much easier to see and avoid. Just scroll down and backwards delete before pressing the "Post Reply" button! What people find pointless and irritating is, on the other hand, more difficult to spot.

I must admit, I misunderstood your original post and I apologise for my harsh words. Thanks for the clarification.

it was nd555 false impression....the enjoyment can continue.   

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

Alan, I started where you are, but now I’m using an ND555 and Roon, with 2000 ripped CDs (Initially to Unitiserve) and 500 24 bit downloads, with all the technology which goes with it, and I don’t regret a minute of the journey. Yes, I tore my (increasingly scarce) hair out many a time, but there is a sense of achievement when you get there, and the access to the music is incalculably better once you get even halfway into the journey. I think the key is to take it one step at a time, with modest objectives, and to start with something like the Core to digitise your collection, ignoring those who focus only on price at the expense of convenience.

Fully agree David - there are simple and friendly solutions to go streaming with great music outcomes

LarsDK posted:

Fully agree David - there are simple and friendly solutions to go streaming with great music outcomes

Including having one's hi fi shop do a house call to set it up.

Somewhere earlier in this thread someone compared all of the "fussing" folks do with turntables and cartridges and tonearms to the "fussing" folks do with home networking.  In each case, one CAN do it but need NOT do it.

Bart, I think it was me... and you are spot on... that is what your dealer is there to help you with.

 

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

 

Alan, you have summarised my own sentiments....

David O'Higgins posted:

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

Alan, I started where you are, but now I’m using an ND555 and Roon, with 2000 ripped CDs (Initially to Unitiserve) and 500 24 bit downloads, with all the technology which goes with it, and I don’t regret a minute of the journey. Yes, I tore my (increasingly scarce) hair out many a time, but there is a sense of achievement when you get there, and the access to the music is incalculably better once you get even halfway into the journey. I think the key is to take it one step at a time, with modest objectives, and to start with something like the Core to digitise your collection, ignoring those who focus only on price at the expense of convenience.

Thanks David. Perhaps I’ll give it a try. An ND555 is way beyond what I am willing to spend - but I am glad to hear that people who have invested in it are happy they have. If my trusty CDX2 ever gives up on me then I will probably have a listen to an NDX2 ( or whatever it is by then) - but in the meantime I have a set up I am 100% satisfied with.

Alan/David & Finkfan, 

Some interesting exchanges above as I, while attracted to the idea of using a network player set-up, also find the overall project foreboding re the challenges in set-up and execution allied to the (considerable) financial outlay - my starting point is a CD555, and from what I've read around these parts and heard with my own ears, it's only the ND555 which offers a material performance update over the former. The NDS set-ups I've heard were very good but for me not worth considering any change in direction of music delivery (of course YMMV on this). I find CDs and vinyl convenient to use. 

The cost of a changeover from my CD555 (I will admit I'm emotionally wedded to it given the journey to get it) seems to be some way > the cost of an ND555, given I would be starting from a very low base (no Apple kit in the house/basic internet/a house which doesn't take easily to wiring-up).

As I interpret things, it's great that c.10 years after acquiring my CD555, there appears to be a definitive upgrade path from it(obviously others will have differing views) - but I think I'll await the ND555 mk2 , unless something like a house move arises and some ground-up planning can be enacted. And, of course, in the meantime pray in the direction of Salisbury to ensure they can continue to service CD555s - mine remains with its original transport mech. 

Two or so years ago I was thinking the same as you, I had heard no streaming system that could hold a candle to my CD555, but I dipped my toes in the water and bought an NDX, great for casual listening, but my 555 and LP12 were my sources of choice for serious listening. At least I had begun to rip my large CD collection and the network infrastructure was all set up and working with very few problems.

A month ago I heard the ND555 along with J.N. kindly supplied by Andy at Signals and we all heard that it was a significant step forward doing things that have been well documented earlier in this thread and as one was readily available I jumped at the chance. At this point I am still thinking I will keep the CD555 for emotional and nostalgic reasons so I boxed it up and put it in the spare room,  but after living with the ND555 for a week or so we bonded so well that the love affair with the CD555 was beginning to dwindle and my wife and I both agreed that actually we probably wouldn’t ever use it again, so it has gone.

So newcomers to streaming, don’t be afraid of the technology, if you are not confident, get your dealer or a friend to help you set up a network, like all things it takes a while to understand, like when I went from Sky+ to Sky Q but you do get there and master it... and that old adage from the I.T. Crowd.... ‘have you tried turning it off and on again’ usually works!

Exciting times ahead.

555ps installed on th ND555 yesterday pm, we only had two hours to listen before going out. Started with a bit of Roy Harper from a 75 concert in the BBC tapes series, sound was very clear, even a bit etched but the emotion was coming through very nicely. I’ve not heard digital as engaging as this. A selection of tracks across genres followed and I’m getting the brightness others have found and some stridency that could lead to a headache after a while but even by the end of the two hours it was easing a bit. Left an album on loop, preamp muted while we were out to give it a work out. back to it in an hour or two.

Back on the NDS here. Still sounds wonderful. Still does all the things I love it for. Still one of the best streamers you can buy, now much cheaper. But..... The ND555 has left a hole in the soundscape that the NDS only partially fills. Given the asking price this is of some comfort. We got the deal we wanted on the PX and are looking at early September for the upgrade. We are still feeding hours of fun through the NDS.  Broken it is not.

So far as set up goes, it's just a case of having a network that works and access to an Ethernet point for the streamer. Our first dip into this pool was the HDX. I spent a little time and hardly any effort making sure there was a good connection into the lounge before we spent any money. Our dealer offers expert advice and on site work for network optimisation and troubleshooting. It's all part of the service. Compared to the constant rituals involved in optimising a TT, keeping it in trim, avoiding damage to it, playing vinyl, caring for it, handling it, storing it, not to mention obtaining a specimen of sufficient manufacturing quality to keep, streaming couldn't be easier or more rewarding. I never want to go back to that stone age. But choice is important and must be preserved. That vinyl still exists and occasionally flourishes is to be welcomed. The day when we are all obliged to conform to one format (most likely owning nothing and paying a monthly sub) will be a dark one.

nigelb posted:

nbpf posted:

nigelb posted:

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?

That's also a good idea but vertical whitespace is much easier to see and avoid. Just scroll down and backwards delete before pressing the "Post Reply" button! What people find pointless and irritating is, on the other hand, more difficult to spot.

I must admit, I misunderstood your original post and I apologise for my harsh words. Thanks for the clarification.

No need to apologize! My original post was meant to be a hilarious comment to the posts of of Gazza and MDS from two days ago but it eventually came up much later. Hence the confusion. Anyway, great to hear that the ND555 has so many happy early adopters and followers! I am looking forward to read a similar thread when the NDX2 comes out. Best, nbpf 

This afternoon it’s been Pentangle, Wolfgang Rihm and Tool. The stridency and brightness are no longer evident but the engagement is very much there. I'm surprised how quickly it’s come round considering the 555 and freshly DRed ps have less than twenty four hours on them and it’s only just starting.

What's whitespace?   And how does it affect sound quality?

rjstaines posted:

What's whitespace?   And how does it affect sound quality?

Perhaps it makes inky blackness seem blacker.

MDS, by mixing black and white you could enter a very grey area ?

i heard one day a person saying that black speakers sound better vs white ones.  Inky blackness sounds blacker with black speakers perhaps?   to continue the humor of MDS....

Yeah and of course black NACA 5 always sounds better than white... but hey we digress!

I have everything crossed that my ND555 arrives before this thread hits 1000 replies!!!!!

Naim, are you listening...can you help ????

I fear we have strayed accidentally into the world of psychosomatic effects on our hearing.   Since hearing happens within our brain, and since our sight (the look of things) also happens within our brain, I'm wondering if the colour (look) of our speakers or our NACA5 (...haven't been tempted by SuperLumia yet then Michael?)  has an affect on how we hear them?  Maybe black speakers do sound better than white ones for some folk who have highly developed sensory perception?   Imagine that !

That's why I always go for cherry finish.

Roger 

Dustysox posted:

I have everything crossed that my ND555 arrives before this thread hits 1000 replies!!!!!

Naim, are you listening...can you help ????

I was watching the dwindling resale value of NDS's this evening.  You can pick one up for under three thousand pounds !

Notwithstanding that, I noticed the distinct lack of NDS's offered for sale on that auction site.  There's now just three, all BIN at well above market price.  I was relating that to the number of ND555's being shipped and questioning in my own mind whether Naim are actually shipping this new box in any kind of quantity... or even close to the quantity that have been ordered by our dealers.

There have been two rumours that I've seen... the first about shortage of burndy cables and the latest (can't remember who) about a last minute software change;  each of which being ignored by Naim.  Wouldn't it be nice to hear how fast they are really being shipped and even whether shipping forcasts are being met.  This would be commercially sensitive, of course, but some indication of achieved or anticipated order fulfilment performance would be useful.

I feel memories of the frustration of the illusive HDX software fix* of 2010* (ish?) rising from the ranks of prospective ND555 customers.

* I think it was the HDX, and I think it was around 2010 and I'm pretty sure it was a Naim product. ... but I do remember it was bl**dy frustrating. 

wondering if the colour (look) of our speakers or our NACA5 (...haven't been tempted by SuperLumia yet then Michael?) 

Smiling Roger, that white NACA5 just had to go... replaced by Super Lumina.

some Chord cables are white, it seems strange for me.  Why choose such a color for cables, is it not better for a cable to disappear?    ( from our eyes and also in the reality).

I digress but i follow this thread with a lot of interest.   I hope there will be the ndx2 impressions thread soon also.   cdx2 vs ndx2, ndx2 vs nds, and more nd555 vs cd555 too.