ND555 Impressions

Painfully enjoying your pleasure guys......but my Nova is running you a close second for hopefully a short while????

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

Can’t fathom out the delivery schedule of the ND555 when I ordered mine along with a 555PS on the 14th of August people were talking about a shortage of Burndy leads and casings so I was expecting a longer wait than the dealers anticipated 6 weeks delivery.

I was somewhat taken aback when the dealer phoned on the 7th of September to ask if was OK to come over and install the new boxes as they had been delivered that morning.

Lucky old you....just enjoy your good fortune

I aGazza posted:

Lucky old you....just enjoy your good fortune

Gazza, I am you get a very big smile every time you hit the play button.

Michael posted:

To other owners how bright is your Naim logo on the ND555? Mine is very very dim barely visible in daylight and much dimmer than the rest of my Naim kit.

I had the same air of puzzlement over the dim logo on my week old ND 555, but a troll through this thread has come up with the answer.

Yet again, the Borg Collective demonstrates it's value! 

dave marshall posted:

Michael posted:

To other owners how bright is your Naim logo on the ND555? Mine is very very dim barely visible in daylight and much dimmer than the rest of my Naim kit.

I had the same air of puzzlement over the dim logo on my week old ND 555, but a troll through this thread has come up with the answer.

Yet again, the Borg Collective demonstrates it's value! 

here too...

Gazza posted:

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

I am sure getting the finish right on the 500 series casings is tricky but the failure rate must be costing Naim (and hence us buyers as QC costs will inevitably be recouped in the purchase price) dearly, not just in the casing cost but delays and potential damage in reputation due to failed delivery commitments.

Presumably Naim have looked at alternative case suppliers/finishers and alternate finish treatments, but surely this is a problem that has a solution. I, and I assume others, would consider a price reduction in return for an alternative finish. I am a qualified production engineer and it surprises me that such high failure rate processes are tolerated, with the inevitable cost implications.

dave marshall posted:

Michael posted:

To other owners how bright is your Naim logo on the ND555? Mine is very very dim barely visible in daylight and much dimmer than the rest of my Naim kit.

I had the same air of puzzlement over the dim logo on my week old ND 555, but a troll through this thread has come up with the answer.

Yet again, the Borg Collective demonstrates it's value! 

That's "trawl" .............. oops!

dave marshall posted:

dave marshall posted:

Michael posted:

To other owners how bright is your Naim logo on the ND555? Mine is very very dim barely visible in daylight and much dimmer than the rest of my Naim kit.

I had the same air of puzzlement over the dim logo on my week old ND 555, but a troll through this thread has come up with the answer.

Yet again, the Borg Collective demonstrates it's value! 

That's "trawl" .............. oops!

Net or lure, it's still dragged behind a boat, trolling is less damaging to the sea bed and more selective.

Gazza posted:

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

I can wait.
Great that those with their ND555 are enjoying them.

DB.

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

I can wait.
Great that those with their ND555 are enjoying them.

DB.

Hi DB, did you order the new Melco N10 which is a 2 box system with a separate power supply due October. If not you may want to hold back on that part of the deal or talk to dealer, I think it’s £6750 price wise. Not cheap. Though they also have a new N100 at £1800 due in October.

While having the ND555 now for some time I feel it’s time to reflect. I would say it delivered for me on all aspects in sound reproduction. It has it all...., soundstage, detail, bass extension, extension of the high notes, PRAT a lot, authority, slam if needed. For me it plays it’s qualities best on live music and piano music, those are the areas where the qualities are most apparent. 

What improved since the beginning is for me the fact that edgyness of the high is completely gone, air around the notes has grown a bit more. And yes every album sounds better, haven’t heard one where I would prefer my old NDS.

The only let down is for me a bit the app. It very often needs to be restarted to work properly. Also this need for re-selecting the room again, while I have no other naim devices in the same subnetwork is annoying.

The thing which I don’t use is the front screen, it has no sensible function for me. And just show8ng the album art could be nice - but I am not directly straight with the screen, and it might influence also a bit the performance.

The thing which I love is the remote. I use it mainly for the control. And only use my iPad mini for the selection if the album.

For the future I might consider the 2nd ps if I would have the funds, while it also sounds a bit obscene to use two ps’s to drive one device. While I would need to hear the difference first, would not be a blind buy thing.... and perhaps I might consider exchanging the Audioquest Vodka with a Chord Music, while I am not sure if the ND555 will benefit so much as I could hear in the demo before with a Linn Streamer.

Dustysox posted:

As i sit here in the dark listening to “Beyond The Missouri Sky”, I scarcely want to breath so as to soak up every note. It really is that good. The music is wonderful and really breathes almost at a slower pace without losing time. Bravo ND555!

No matter what your preference, CD player, streamer or vinyl how lucky are we all that through Naim we get to really emotionally connect with the music. What a treat.

No commission was earnt by Dusty during the making of this post!!!!!!!!!

 

You just called out what I forgot to mention in my post before. The ND555 creates an immediate emotional connection with the music. Wouldn’t expect that from a lot of other devices as they might sound Hifi correct - but miss the emotional connect.

nigelb posted:

Gazza posted:

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

I am sure getting the finish right on the 500 series casings is tricky but the failure rate must be costing Naim (and hence us buyers as QC costs will inevitably be recouped in the purchase price) dearly, not just in the casing cost but delays and potential damage in reputation due to failed delivery commitments.

Presumably Naim have looked at alternative case suppliers/finishers and alternate finish treatments, but surely this is a problem that has a solution. I, and I assume others, would consider a price reduction in return for an alternative finish. I am a qualified production engineer and it surprises me that such high failure rate processes are tolerated, with the inevitable cost implications.

Nigel, I've posted at length about this in the past.  Unfortunately the flaws usually come from the extrusion process - stitching or roller marks. Annoyingly they can often only be seen once the anodising has taken place.  The roller marks are fairly easy to see ( a faint shadow), whereas the stitching takes a more trained eye, but once seen, never missed. At least, in many cases, the sleeves can still be powder coated and used on the other kit. A solution would involve either moving away from the extruded sleeve construction, or not having an anodised finish.  Thing is, the anodised finish really does look considerably more upmarket than the powder coat, and of course it's a hallmark of the 500 series.

Bert Schurink posted:

What improved since the beginning is for me the fact that edgyness of the high is completely gone, air around the notes has grown a bit more. And yes every album sounds better, haven’t heard one where I would prefer my old NDS.

The only let down is for me a bit the app. It very often needs to be restarted to work properly. Also this need for re-selecting the room again, while I have no other naim devices in the same subnetwork is annoying. 

Same here Bert. Reading your findings very much echo my own. 

It is obvious in my room that the bass is much more detailed, but it hasn't increased in size or extension - which in my case is a relief. It's fascinating to hear the detail, and to think it's been there all the time.

Like you, I haven't looked at the screen once. I must find out how to turn it off.  I also love the remote. Though not mine in particular. It has a movement sensor issue and will be replaced.

It would be easy to go on at length about what a clever trick the ND555 has pulled over the already excellent NDS and how, if this is his swan song, Roy has done it with a skill and style that will be a legend. But I'd rather listen to music and advise any who are interested to get their own ears on one. It's the only way to know for sure. And it;'s the only way to properly appreciate just how good this streamer is, regardless of whether you are moved to buy one or not.  In short, it's a 500 level streamer- and it sounds like one.

Richard Dane posted:

nigelb posted:

Gazza posted:

Darke Bear posted:

Gazza posted:

I wonder Dark Bear if your ND555 has arrived, installed and burning in or are you still waiting.

Still waiting.
But I was expecting it at the end of the month and we are not half-way through it yet so no surprise.
I'm told Naim are still battling with the Casework gnomes to get the required finish-quality and the Melco is apparently caught-up in a Typhoon on a ship... sigh!

If anything happens I'll report.

DB.

Just talked with our dealer.....2 batches of sleeves arrived this week, all were rejected. So nothing imminent. Seems odd to choose a finish that’s near impossible to get right......but we all want it to be perfect.

I am sure getting the finish right on the 500 series casings is tricky but the failure rate must be costing Naim (and hence us buyers as QC costs will inevitably be recouped in the purchase price) dearly, not just in the casing cost but delays and potential damage in reputation due to failed delivery commitments.

Presumably Naim have looked at alternative case suppliers/finishers and alternate finish treatments, but surely this is a problem that has a solution. I, and I assume others, would consider a price reduction in return for an alternative finish. I am a qualified production engineer and it surprises me that such high failure rate processes are tolerated, with the inevitable cost implications.

Nigel, I've posted at length about this in the past.  Unfortunately the flaws usually come from the extrusion process - stitching or roller marks. Annoyingly they can often only be seen once the anodising has taken place.  The roller marks are fairly easy to see ( a faint shadow), whereas the stitching takes a more trained eye, but once seen, never missed. At least, in many cases, the sleeves can still be powder coated and used on the other kit. A solution would involve either moving away from the extruded sleeve construction, or not having an anodised finish.  Thing is, the anodised finish really does look considerably more upmarket than the powder coat, and of course it's a hallmark of the 500 series.

Fair comment Richard. It must be extremely irritating for Naim. I guess extrusion technology and techniques have not moved on in any significant way over the years or the low volumes that Naim require puts restrictions on the extrusion processes used.

Nigel, I was told that making such an extrusion - particularly the large one - to such tolerances and finish is something of a major feat.  Very few places who can do it to the required standard which is why Naim have to go to Switzerland.

The NAP 500 casework looks like it would be a nightmare by comparison to the normal sleeves, to get right. Oh well we just have to wait.

I've been invited to my local Naim dealer today @3pm to have a listen to the ND555 within a full Statement system, I guess I will be able to see what all the fuss is about.

PS my wallet is going to be left at home as the wife has dressed me down not to purchase any thing!!!

HiFiman posted:

I've been invited to my local Naim dealer today @3pm to have a listen to the ND555 within a full Statement system, I guess I will be able to see what all the fuss is about.

PS my wallet is going to be left at home as the wife has dressed me down not to purchase any thing!!!

 

Very sensible descision.

That sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy!

Yep considering the Staement and ND555 combined costs more than my house.

Problem is I never leave the Naim dealer empty handed

HiFiman posted:

Yep considering the Staement and ND555 combined costs more than my house.

Problem is I never leave the Naim dealer empty handed

Taken together with your previous post, one assumes you're going to rob the dealer!

Stand and deliver.

On a serious note I'm really looking forward to hearing Naims masterpiece at work.