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.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Polarbear
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
Polarbear posted:

For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play. I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

 

But CD has many variables and interactions ... the CD material dyes... Cyanine, Phthalcyanine, Azo Dye, Aluminuim or Gold... all said to sound slightly different.. then there is the disc weight, and spiral groove accuracy, as well as disc balance for micro vibration... it’s true you don’t generally hear of this mentioned apart from the true obsessive, but I think the same tends to be true with streaming as well... albeit more feel more comfortable with streaming to tweak.

I can accept the inequalities of any source Simon. No matter how good the system you can't compensate for bad recordings be it a CD record or poor radio station, what I can't abide by is second guessing what the equipment is doing. I am not a tweaker, i am a simple set it up properly and play forever, albeit with a few tune ups along the way.

 

For me the CDP was a step forward in simplicity of use over vinyl with vinyl retaining ultimate quality but streaming is a massive step backwards into the tweakers paradise that vinyl was.

 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Richard Dane
Harry posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:

 

But I spent quite a bit of time discussing the benefits of the Uniticore vs DbPoweramp.    I have to say I’m impressed with the simplicity of the Core. It performed a perfect rip of one of my classical CDs metadata and all, but equally I recognise the editing capabilities of Db.  

This is interesting. dBpoweramp also does perfect rips and embeds the metadata (which you have full control of pre and post ripping) in the WAV file, not in a separate file which cannot be read by anything except a Naim server. So what is the dealer trying to imply? That a Naim ripper can do something that an application like dBpoweramp cannot? Bullshit alert!

We are each free to use whatever ripping and tagging solution we want. No justification needed. No argument. But when a dealer (or was it Naim&gt tries to justify something by using bullshit, you have to wonder what they are hiding.

Harry, I think you may be jumping to the wrong conclusion here.  I'm not sure I read Strats post the way you did. I'm sure both dbpoweramp and the Core can do "perfect" rips.  I use both myself, but I would guess the discussion was more about the wider issue of an all-in-one no fuss ripper and server solution like the Uniticore vs. the alternative approach using computer, Dbpoweramp, and maybe a NAS with server software onboard.  I may be wrong of course, but then I guess Strat can say for sure...

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by DaveBk
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:

...  I guess audio neurosis has always existed

Exactly.. you name it.. Tuners with exotic aerials and coax, huge amount of variables with turntables, CD types and treatments for CDP ... and then there is streaming... where a bit like turntables many tweaks and things to fiddle with...

or you can set up and then enjoy without fretting... just like I now do with CDP and streaming... it’s probably fair to say my inclination to fiddle and tweak largely went once I got my 552.  

I have a tendency to want to tweak... but, nowhere near as pronounced as some. With the NDS, I found the network set up to be a factor worth playing around with,  but following my ‘pull out the RJ45’ test on the ND555, I am happy that Naim have met the design objective of isolating the DAC stage from the streaming board, so I leave it alone. I’ve been ripping with dBPoweramp and using QNAP NAS’s with Asset for a decade, so really happy here.  On the analogue stack, I have adopted a full Naim approach, with all components and cables from one source. I love the Naim sound, so why introduce loads of new variables? I’m happy to just enjoy the music for a while.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Darke Bear

The middle Melco HD version (N1ZH/2), not the SSD one.
It did enough of what the top of range one did to get suitable good results.

DB.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Harry
The Strat (Fender) posted:
Harry posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:

 

But I spent quite a bit of time discussing the benefits of the Uniticore vs DbPoweramp.    I have to say I’m impressed with the simplicity of the Core. It performed a perfect rip of one of my classical CDs metadata and all, but equally I recognise the editing capabilities of Db.  

This is interesting. dBpoweramp also does perfect rips and embeds the metadata (which you have full control of pre and post ripping) in the WAV file, not in a separate file which cannot be read by anything except a Naim server. So what is the dealer trying to imply? That a Naim ripper can do something that an application like dBpoweramp cannot? Bullshit alert!

We are each free to use whatever ripping and tagging solution we want. No justification needed. No argument. But when a dealer (or was it Naim&gt tries to justify something by using bullshit, you have to wonder what they are hiding.

Harry - I am outraged that you should have so misinterpreted my post.  Simply Cymbiosis demonstrated to me both Core and dB.   They made no recommendation as to which option (if any) I should pursue those judgements are purely mine   Will you please rescind your comments. 

Best regards,

Lindsay 

I'm sorry if I misunderstood what you were saying. And I'm sorry that you took offense. If we're two people separated by a common language, that's just how it goes on forums sometimes. There is no malice in it. 

I have a new streamer to listen to. I'm not going to return to this. Please accept my apologies for any offense unintentionally caused. 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by The Strat (Fender)
Harry posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:
Harry posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:

 

But I spent quite a bit of time discussing the benefits of the Uniticore vs DbPoweramp.    I have to say I’m impressed with the simplicity of the Core. It performed a perfect rip of one of my classical CDs metadata and all, but equally I recognise the editing capabilities of Db.  

This is interesting. dBpoweramp also does perfect rips and embeds the metadata (which you have full control of pre and post ripping) in the WAV file, not in a separate file which cannot be read by anything except a Naim server. So what is the dealer trying to imply? That a Naim ripper can do something that an application like dBpoweramp cannot? Bullshit alert!

We are each free to use whatever ripping and tagging solution we want. No justification needed. No argument. But when a dealer (or was it Naim&gt tries to justify something by using bullshit, you have to wonder what they are hiding.

Harry - I am outraged that you should have so misinterpreted my post.  Simply Cymbiosis demonstrated to me both Core and dB.   They made no recommendation as to which option (if any) I should pursue those judgements are purely mine   Will you please rescind your comments. 

Best regards,

Lindsay 

I'm sorry if I misunderstood what you were saying. And I'm sorry that you took offense. If we're two people separated by a common language, that's just how it goes on forums sometimes. There is no malice in it. 

I have a new streamer to listen to. I'm not going to return to this. Please accept my apologies for any offense unintentionally caused. 

Okay - thanks Harry.  

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by The Strat (Fender)
Richard Dane posted:
Harry posted:
The Strat (Fender) posted:

 

But I spent quite a bit of time discussing the benefits of the Uniticore vs DbPoweramp.    I have to say I’m impressed with the simplicity of the Core. It performed a perfect rip of one of my classical CDs metadata and all, but equally I recognise the editing capabilities of Db.  

This is interesting. dBpoweramp also does perfect rips and embeds the metadata (which you have full control of pre and post ripping) in the WAV file, not in a separate file which cannot be read by anything except a Naim server. So what is the dealer trying to imply? That a Naim ripper can do something that an application like dBpoweramp cannot? Bullshit alert!

We are each free to use whatever ripping and tagging solution we want. No justification needed. No argument. But when a dealer (or was it Naim&gt tries to justify something by using bullshit, you have to wonder what they are hiding.

Harry, I think you may be jumping to the wrong conclusion here.  I'm not sure I read Strats post the way you did. I'm sure both dbpoweramp and the Core can do "perfect" rips.  I use both myself, but I would guess the discussion was more about the wider issue of an all-in-one no fuss ripper and server solution like the Uniticore vs. the alternative approach using computer, Dbpoweramp, and maybe a NAS with server software onboard.  I may be wrong of course, but then I guess Strat can say for sure...

Exactly that - thanks Richard.   I just didn’t want the integrity of the dealer in question brought into doubt because he was nothing but impartial.  

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by yeti42

Anyone remember the hifi critic articles on Flac vs Wav sound quality and its conclusions?

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Harry
Richard Dane posted:

Harry, I think you may be jumping to the wrong conclusion here.  I'm not sure I read Strats post the way you did. I'm sure both dbpoweramp and the Core can do "perfect" rips.  I use both myself, but I would guess the discussion was more about the wider issue of an all-in-one no fuss ripper and server solution like the Uniticore vs. the alternative approach using computer, Dbpoweramp, and maybe a NAS with server software onboard.  I may be wrong of course, but then I guess Strat can say for sure...

Fairpoint Richard. I think that possibly a degree of ambiguity in language has a potential to lead to a discussion whose scope was never envisioned. 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Harry

Straight out of the box, it sounds tight, communicative, well balanced and not as harsh as I thought it might. 

It has given the App a slightly different screen layout which IMO is a welcome improvement. Unfortunately the app is now very laggy when my sleeping iPad wakes up. The NDS didn't do this. I will restart the whole network sometime over the weekend, which may sort it.

The remote is a thing of visual and tactile beauty, and functional excellence.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by ken c

Great Harry... and congratulations …

please keep us updated as the unit runs in...

enjoy

/ken

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bert Schurink
Harry posted:

Straight out of the box, it sounds tight, communicative, well balanced and not as harsh as I thought it might. 

It has given the App a slightly different screen layout which IMO is a welcome improvement. Unfortunately the app is now very laggy when my sleeping iPad wakes up. The NDS didn't do this. I will restart the whole network sometime over the weekend, which may sort it.

The remote is a thing of visual and tactile beauty, and functional excellence.

You will love the remote. With the NDS I never used the remote, but it has changed c9mpletely now. I use the iPad only for the selection of the album. Volume, pause, mute etc all with the remote.

And of course congratulations with your new toy. Will be interested to hear your impressions.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bert Schurink
yeti42 posted:

Anyone remember the hifi critic articles on Flac vs Wav sound quality and its conclusions?

I am not aware about articles. But out of my own experience there was a box upgrade type of difference betweeen Flac and Wav on my NDS. I didn’t retest it with the ND555, but I assume it’s still an improvement to have the transcoding being done on your server and not by the streamer.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Mike Sullivan
Polarbear posted:

HI Gary, thank you for your eloquent repost to my  post, however for me, you go on at length about all the reasons why I don't want to go down the streaming route. 

For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play. I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

The majority of my listening now is from the very simple NAT 01, its so easy and the sound quality, even after all these years is stunning, second is the trusty CD 555 and then the faithful Roksan gets the special listening but even then there are so many variables with the Roksan to second guess and for me this all just takes away from the enjoyment of the music.

 

Sometimes just less is so much more.

This is exactly why I went for a Core though. My Arcam CD player died, and I needed a simple “less is more” solution. The Core does that as a one stop shop solution with the flexibility of streaming. You set it up once, I selected WAV as advised by my dealer (he has more experience than me and is reliable), you rip your collection once, and you sit back and enjoy it without any further analysis. It’s an audio only ecosystem complete within the Niam architecture. Nice and simple.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by kmoldskred

A short but interesting demo of NDX2 without power supply and ND555 with 555PS DR. The difference to my ears was massive, as one would expect from the Naim product hierarchy. It was also interesting that they chose to use 252/250DR and Harbeth shl5+. When listening to the bare NDX2 I thought it sounded pretty damn fine, but then the ND555, as expected, was an altogether different experience. Fascinating!

Edit: After several attempts I finally managed to add a photo. This is in Berlin btw. 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bart
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bart
Bert Schurink posted:
Harry posted:

Straight out of the box, it sounds tight, communicative, well balanced and not as harsh as I thought it might. 

It has given the App a slightly different screen layout which IMO is a welcome improvement. Unfortunately the app is now very laggy when my sleeping iPad wakes up. The NDS didn't do this. I will restart the whole network sometime over the weekend, which may sort it.

The remote is a thing of visual and tactile beauty, and functional excellence.

You will love the remote. With the NDS I never used the remote, but it has changed c9mpletely now. I use the iPad only for the selection of the album. Volume, pause, mute etc all with the remote.

And of course congratulations with your new toy. Will be interested to hear your impressions.

Me too as to both 'I actually use this new remote,' and CONGRATULATIONS, Harry, enjoy your new toy and your music!

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bailyhill
Bart posted:
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

+1 to points 1 and 2.  New to streaming and ripping, so lots of new "not knowing".

Bailyhill

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by MDS
Bart posted:
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

Your point 1 is a very fair one, Bart. I say that as a CD fan. 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by kmoldskred

I have about 1000 CDs. They are currently stored on multiple locations, with about 100 easily available. I do however use Tidal hifi most of the time. If Internet is down (that rarely happens) I play either vinyl or CDs (using a transport into the NDS). Streaming can be simple and done without ripping the collection. Tidal don't have all of my CDs, but quite a lot of them. I use Tidal to find new music and if I really like an album I often buy it on vinyl. 

I do intend to get a Core (or similar) down the line and rip my collection but I am in no hurry to do so. I still like CDs and appreciate the format, but I don't buy CDs anymore. Streaming, internet radio and vinyl. I was also reluctant to streaming but that all changed when I got my NDS (only two years ago). I now view streaming as my way to go, even though I bought about 20 vinyl records the last week. Some of them originals from the 60s and 70s, some brand new releases. I am waiting on my ND555 to arrive and have been for some time. I preordered the ND555 because I think the NDS/555ps is sooo good that what Naim deems to be significantly better must be truly great. Today i got a little taste of what is to come and I am very much looking forward to enjoying music through the ND555! I know it will lead to further LP12 upgrades, but so be it.

I am now enjoying music through the NDS and it sounds just as great as it did before!

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by nigelb
Bart posted:
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

Gentlemen, I get both points of view, I really do. In fact I flit between being totally satisfied with my system to listening out for nuances to mulling over what I should upgrade next to just enjoying my favourite albums and hearing them ‘for the first time’.

Tonight I sat down to listen to music for the first time in a week and I was really looking forward to it. As I queued up the wonderful Kandace Springs, I annoyingly started to think ‘should I upgrade my pre amp or my streamer first’.

And then Kandace started to sing. I was immediately transfixed by how lovely and beautiful this artist sings and how spot on her band were. No thoughts of upgrading, no analysing the performance, no reservations about if things are just right. Just sheer enjoyment and relaxation.

And all this with a broken NDS and a 252 and a meagre 250DR.

Why do I need to upgrade, I simply don’t.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Leith

Absolutely.....no need to upgrade at all.

However, we are weak....we have succumbed to temptation...the order is in!

We shall miss the NDS we have cherished for 6 years.....but we look forward to enjoying the incoming ND555.....

 

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by Bailyhill
nigelb posted:
Bart posted:
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

Gentlemen, I get both points of view, I really do. In fact I flit between being totally satisfied with my system to listening out for nuances to mulling over what I should upgrade next to just enjoying my favourite albums and hearing them ‘for the first time’.

Tonight I sat down to listen to music for the first time in a week and I was really looking forward to it. As I queued up the wonderful Kandace Springs, I annoyingly started to think ‘should I upgrade my pre amp or my streamer first’.

And then Kandace started to sing. I was immediately transfixed by how lovely and beautiful this artist sings and how spot on her band were. No thoughts of upgrading, no analysing the performance, no reservations about if things are just right. Just sheer enjoyment and relaxation.

And all this with a broken NDS and a 252 and a meagre 250DR.

Why do I need to upgrade, I simply don’t.

Which Kandace Springs album is your fav?  I need to get lost in some music.  BTW:  I have Soul Eyes streaming from TIDAL.

Bailyhill

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by nigelb
Bailyhill posted:
nigelb posted:
Bart posted:
Polarbear posted:

[1] For me, there is a simplicity of picking up a CD case, taking the CD out of the case, putting it in the draw and pressing play.

[2]I know exactly what the CD player is doing and there are no unknowns that are going to affect the sound quality of the CDP, what I don't want to be doing is sitting there wondering if WAV is better than Flak or whatever else there is, I don't want to be thinking about what NAS drive sounds better and what ethernet cable I should be using.

I took the liberty of numbering these two points.  Both certainly are valid as they come from your perspective.  My perspective:

[1] I find nothing simple these days about finding the cd I want on a rack of hundreds of cd's, in a dimly lit room.  Nor about putting it away after listening, in precisely the right spot so that I have hopes of finding it another evening, in said dimly lit room.  Or not putting it away, and having a stack, or clutter, etc etc.  Or having to try to read very small text to find the track number of the specific track I want to play.  So, one man's simplicity is another man's nightmare!  Vive la difference.

[2]  This point is REALLY interesting - -the psycho-acoustic effect of "knowing" vs. "not-knowing" what is going on.  And I say that with no derision.  Why did I upgrade to the ND555?  Because knowing that there is a better Naim source out there bothered me.  It did start to impair my enjoyment of the music in my home.  So not wanting to be "thinking about" what's going on whilst the music is playing is understandable.  So if "not knowing" what is going on with this crazy streaming stuff is bothering you and impairing your ability to enjoy the music . . . absolutely, listen to cd's!

Gentlemen, I get both points of view, I really do. In fact I flit between being totally satisfied with my system to listening out for nuances to mulling over what I should upgrade next to just enjoying my favourite albums and hearing them ‘for the first time’.

Tonight I sat down to listen to music for the first time in a week and I was really looking forward to it. As I queued up the wonderful Kandace Springs, I annoyingly started to think ‘should I upgrade my pre amp or my streamer first’.

And then Kandace started to sing. I was immediately transfixed by how lovely and beautiful this artist sings and how spot on her band were. No thoughts of upgrading, no analysing the performance, no reservations about if things are just right. Just sheer enjoyment and relaxation.

And all this with a broken NDS and a 252 and a meagre 250DR.

Why do I need to upgrade, I simply don’t.

Which Kandace Springs album is your fav?  I need to get lost in some music.  BTW:  I have Soul Eyes streaming from TIDAL.

Bailyhill

I was listening to Soul Eyes, her first and only album. There is an EP but her second album is out 7 September. Looking forward to that.

But we digress.

Posted on: 31 August 2018 by French Rooster

Hey Nigel, you have also her first album on qobuz:  Kandace Springs/ Kandace Springs.

Perhaps you know also:  Molly  Johnson : if you know love.   Sabina Sciubba/ Antonio Forcione: meet me in London.   Zara Mc Farlane: if you knew here.    Carmen Lundy: changes.