ND555 Impressions

HiFiman posted:

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

Problem is I never leave the Naim dealer empty handed

I think you need more advanced defenses against the urge to spend, nobody is emotionless after listening to a ND555, with a statement it’s even worse...

Manfred Honeck, has an interesting take on the Beethoven symphonies. His 5/7 are intriguing new interpretations, I also like this 3rd. And of course a good way to take the ND555 out for a ride....

Gazza posted

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.

I've been ripping my CD collection while I await the ND555 to the Melco - it is the present mid-level one with Hard Drives that I liked on my home demo. I need to contain the cost envelope at present for the ND555 and Melco combination so I don't want to be looking to pay more at this point, even if the newer product is better.

I can always upgrade later if I am convinced it is worth the outlay, but at present I know what I'm acquiring through my home demo, so I'm happy to run with that for now. I did also audition the SSD version of the Melco and although I heard some unexpected benefits in HF and mid-band performance, the bass was better-done on the mid-level HD version, so I went for that. I later learned that the SSD version is supposed to run-in and it may be that is what there was a difference.

As to why there is any difference at all - well it is there to be heard and you can even here (and prefer) the Melco hosting the music over the Ethernet even when it is positioned via a switch in the way. I tested the higher level SSD Melco in prime-position into the demo ND555 and then switched to loop-through the HD Melco that was slumming it on the floor via a switch and still preferred some qualities it had musically.

If you actually look at how Ethernet really works as an electrical system and where the timing comes from then it is not totally crazy why this is the case.

In any case - I await my ND555 joy and live off the fumes of other people's pleasure-posts of the ND555 joys.

...and it seems the problems I initially had with the App are still being reported - is this the latest SW version? I want to be hearing it is all sorted!

DB.

On the screen; before the ND 555 was installed I was against it having a screen but after a week or so I have come to appreciate the screen, I am happy it is there. I'm also happy with the remote. I use both remote and screen, and Naim app for control.  I like the feel and look of the ND 555's operation, there is an elegant fluidity to how things work. And I'm delighted with the speed that external USB drives kick in and are ready to play files from. I don't think with the previous nDAC I ever managed to have files play from a USB stick.  The Naim app could be better for sure, I have had one or two odd moments when the device seems to enter a cycle of switching itself on and off, the screen flashes on and off - pressing standby sorts it. And in Roon Radio mode some songs play silently. Stopping and restarting the song usually brings the audio back.

All in all the ND 555 makes me a happier man.

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.

If it causes long delays in delivering the product you got to look at another finish . 

Those perspex ones at the factory look kinda cool.

Just want to say thanks to Darren, Spen and Jack at The Audio Room and Mark from Naim for the chance to listen to the below beast this afternoon, what a system. Please note that's not my hand on the amp.

Plenty of tracks played this afternoon but for me hearing Space Oddity blew me away, never heard anything like it before.

There's a big Euro lottery next week I may spank a tenner on a punt, fingers crossed but for now slumming it with my 272

What speakers were used?

Tell me it was a pair of Linn Kans...!

Some fancy looking Focals in blue cost around 25k not sure of the model  

HiFiman posted:

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

Problem is I never leave the Naim dealer empty handed

Hello HiFi Man--solution is you need to buy more house--just kidding. 

Well I have the same disease.  I had upgraded from my NDX to an NDX2 based on faith.  Well, because of the great feedback here on the Forums, I went big yesterday and upgraded that order with a ND555 and PS555.  Source first.  The problem I have is I am a pre-ampless guy and am using a very nice DAC V1 as a volume control.  I realize that this is going to limit the ND555 SQ--albeit very good I am sure, and the best I have ever heard.  That is set in stone--I am getting it.  My dealers knows about the DAC v1 constraint, and he was completely honest with me.  Now I want to upgrade from the DAC V1 to a proper "Volume Control/preamp for my ND555.  I assume that the remote does not control the outputs of the ND555 such that I can go directly into the power amp.  So since my purchase of the ND555 was an act of faith based on the words of my dealer, and very important, the words of the Forum, what is the most reasonable preamp, hopefully Naim, that I can purchase and get most of the benefit of the ND555.  I am not afraid of pre owned/loved.  I also know that I should listen.  Probably this will be a final purchase for me, so I would not want to be locked into an upgrade path that involved trade ins in the future--but you never know.  Other constraints is no vinyl, have a Unity Core to RIP CD's, and my speakers are One Ohm Apogee Scintillas and a Krell KSA-80B power amp.  These are sacred at this point.  So what preamp will suit the ND555 for me.  Music migrates to Vocals in several genres. 

All will argue here that 552 is the answer, possibly 252 as an intermediate step. But you could consider Allegri+ and still be spared since you are with a non Naim amp. Now, will your knees allow it?   

Chag -

Chag... posted:

All will argue here that 552 is the answer, possibly 252 as an intermediate step. But you could consider Allegri+ and still be spared since you are with a non Naim amp. Now, will your knees allow it?   

Chag -

I would give you the same answer, while also a poweramp would be good to have to have the direct naim sound. For other brands I wouldn’t know what combination to suggest to justify the qualities of the ND555

Bert Schurink posted:

Chag... posted:

All will argue here that 552 is the answer, possibly 252 as an intermediate step. But you could consider Allegri+ and still be spared since you are with a non Naim amp. Now, will your knees allow it?   

Chag -

I would give you the same answer, while also a poweramp would be good to have to have the direct naim sound. For other brands I wouldn’t know what combination to suggest to justify the qualities of the ND555

We did pursue the Poweramp idea with Naim, and they said they did not recommend using it with a speaker with a 1 ohm impedance.  So the Krell constraint remains. 

Bailyhill

Was it ever said  to anyone how long complete burn in or break in is for the Naim ND555?  I heard 3 weeks but others said 4 weeks . My dealer said he guessed 4 weeks . Bert has had one the longest I think . Have you found it getting better sounding after 4 weeks ?  I know my NDS kept getting better for at least a month. The Naim 555DR Power supply takes even longer than a month . 

musicfan51 posted:

Was it ever said  to anyone how long complete burn in or break in is for the Naim ND555?  I heard 3 weeks but others said 4 weeks . My dealer said he guessed 4 weeks . Bert has had one the longest I think . Have you found it getting better sounding after 4 weeks ?  I know my NDS kept getting better for at least a month. The Naim 555DR Power supply takes even longer than a month . 

I have found that’s nit so steep as with other devices, perhaps as also the main factor in the equation was already burned in (ps). I didn’t find big differences after a couple of weeks, which doesn’t say they didn’t happen. 

A normal rule of thumb for run in is 200 hours of play. I guess haven’t achieved that point. Once with my 252 in about close to half a year I once heard a big step up in the performance, so everything is still possible. But perhaps those with more selective ears can chime in with their impressions.

As I posted earlier back. I was told 4 weeks. Like the NDS, it doesn't seem to have had many big ups and downs, although it does sound more extended and insightful than it did when it arrived. I suspect the PS(s) make a significant difference to this. Mine are well used.

Anybody know how to stop Internet radio playing using the Naim app? 

Jonn posted:

Anybody know how to stop Internet radio playing using the Naim app? 

Jonn, you can go into settings and put the ND555 into standby trust this is helpful.

Thanks that works but before on the NDS there was a “stop streaming” option when listening to a radio track which appears to have disappeared with the ND555.

In the main screen, tap the bottom bar on the main screen to bring up the Now Playing window. Tap on "Stop Stream"

Harry posted:

As I posted earlier back. I was told 4 weeks. Like the NDS, it doesn't seem to have had many big ups and downs, although it does sound more extended and insightful than it did when it arrived. I suspect the PS(s) make a significant difference to this. Mine are well used.

The ND555 has 13 DR circuits in it according to the literature, something the NDS or CD555 did not have , I would if they have a longer burn in time .  I know when I sold my old 555 power supply and got a new 555 DR power supply it took about 8 weeks or more for it fully burn in. Sounded significantly better after two months then it did out of the box . 

Jonn posted:

Thanks that works but before on the NDS there was a “stop streaming” option when listening to a radio track which appears to have disappeared with the ND555.

Jonn, same with my NDX after the ND555 has stopped playing if you tap the ND555 part of the App and wait a few seconds it will restart playing the last station that was being played.

Harry posted:

In the main screen, tap the bottom bar on the main screen to bring up the Now Playing window. Tap on "Stop Stream"

There does not appear to be the “Stop Stream” option now using the ND555 although it was as  you describe on the NDS. Have you still got Stop Stream with your ND555?

Otherwise it means using  standby as suggested by PCD which isn’t as convenient.

Jonn posted:

Harry posted:

In the main screen, tap the bottom bar on the main screen to bring up the Now Playing window. Tap on "Stop Stream"

There does not appear to be the “Stop Stream” option now using the ND555 although it was as  you describe on the NDS. Have you still got Stop Stream with your ND555?

Otherwise it means using  standby as suggested by PCD which isn’t as convenient.

I can see the stop stream when playing ripped CDs but not on the Internet radio screen?

Pcd posted:

Jonn posted:

Harry posted:

In the main screen, tap the bottom bar on the main screen to bring up the Now Playing window. Tap on "Stop Stream"

There does not appear to be the “Stop Stream” option now using the ND555 although it was as  you describe on the NDS. Have you still got Stop Stream with your ND555?

Otherwise it means using  standby as suggested by PCD which isn’t as convenient.

I can see the stop stream when playing ripped CDs but not on the Internet radio screen?

Yes same here.