ND555 - It's Here...

congratulations davebk!! looking fwd to more 'impressions' , and pictures, especially in comparison with NDS 4.6 which I know you liked a lot.

enjoy

ken

As promised, here are a few pictures of the installation process earlier today. We decided that a new 500 series source deserved a Fraim restack.

Once we had the stack back together, we listened to a few tracks on the soon to depart NDS, with the new ND555 still safely in its box.

Finally, the time arrived to unbox and position the new ND555. The locking screws, and the protective film from the display were carefully removed.

And the ND555 was carefully placed back on the rack, while Henry unboxed the new Burndies and the remote.

Speaking of the remote, this is probably the best Naim remote I have ever had, so it deserves its own photo.

With the installation complete, this seemed like a suitable test album for my new toy...

The new ND555 is really superb, words fail me, but it certainly deserves its place as the first new 500 series source in over a decade.

Thanks again to James and Henry for the usual top class service.

Dave.

Congratulations, nice photos. I am interested how you will experience the further journey with your new toy...

Congratulations Dave,

How does Spotify sound...sorry mate couldn’t resist!!! 

Great pics and post...more please!

I’m in that James & Henry queue. Great guys and brilliant service. 

Roll on...my turn!!!

So, how many members have ordered and or received their 555’s. I am in the states and expect  to see mine shortly. I have already sold my NDS so I will not have the opportunity to compare. Based on what I am reading I am sure I will be pleased!

Great pictures, Dave. Apart from the ND555, I'm always impressed when I see those big chocolatey Focals. 

M

Congratulations it’s wonderful isn’t it! I am interested to see that you have not placed the ND555 on top of the Fraim stack? Any sonic reason for that or is it because you have a pet?

Michael posted:

Congratulations it’s wonderful isn’t it! I am interested to see that you have not placed the ND555 on top of the Fraim stack? Any sonic reason for that or is it because you have a pet?

 

It is on the top level of Fraim, the layer over it is just Fraim Lite which to my eye makes the rack look more complete. It does also serve to protect the top component from any bumps or nudges.

Michael and Dave , have you benchmarked the Chord DACs like DAVE, and if so ,how do you think the ND555?

Dustysox posted:

Congratulations Dave,

How does Spotify sound...sorry mate couldn’t resist!!! 

Great pics and post...more please!

I’m in that James & Henry queue. Great guys and brilliant service. 

Roll on...my turn!!!

I’ve been too busy listening to some 128kbps MP3s... will try Spotify tomorrow ????

Hopefully not too long to wait... I ordered mine on the day it was announced, so James very kindly gave me the first customer unit to arrive after his demo unit.

Dave.

Gazza no sorry I have no experience of Chord products.

Ok Dave thanks for clarifying that. Enjoy!

Thanks Michael, glad to see the Signals guys gave you a great home demo.......enjoy.

Congratulations Dave, it looks, and I am sure sounds, wonderful. Those chaps from St Albans really are top notch. Wish I was in the queue.

Rumour has it that the requisite Burndies might be in short supply... ND555's good to go, cables not quite ready.

I must be oversimplifying it, but as someone who has put production planning systems into some of the larger European manufacturers, it breaks my heart to see that Naim's manufacturing & labour sheduling system has let them down somehow (that's IF the rumour is true ).  Nonetheless, having seen Burndies being made on my factory tour a few years ago, I can empathise with Naim's production planning manager trying to find, from among his staff, people who can knit wires that well.  (Reminds me of the Shreddies advert.)

Let's hope the expert Burndy knitters come back from their summer hols soon.

Anon

PS - August... isn't this the month they shut down the factory?      I do hope not this year. 

Gazza posted:

Michael and Dave , have you benchmarked the Chord DACs like DAVE, and if so ,how do you think the ND555?

 

 

There's no point in this comparison.

Chord sources play music one way, Naim sources in another quite distinct way.

It's like BMW Vs Mercedes

There's a buyer for both....

Looks great. Glad to see I'm not the only person who likes to have an additional top shelf with no hifi on it.

Dave, well done, enjoy your new toy... I am sure you will 

I think we should run a competition in dealer shorts 

Come on Andy and Alastair the gauntlet has been laid down...

Thanks for sharing Dave.Looking forward to hearing how it settles in and improves further.Glad it's brought much musical pleasure.....enjoy    

Wow great system and a great space! That should sound fabulous - keep us posted ....epic. My room in comparison is very very compact and my 500 system is in a single stack ........ psu's at the bottom half ........ other gear at the top ... I am in the process of finishing the room ....... as I say very humble compared to your fabulous space .... I may pluck up the courage to post a picture....I am sure I would be in for some ridicule....of some sort (I am very sensitive )

Simon.....get a grip, Alistair may get the kilt out!????

Congratulations and best wishes with it. Big fun to come.

Richieroo posted:

Wow great system and a great space! That should sound fabulous - keep us posted ....epic. My room in comparison is very very compact and my 500 system is in a single stack ........ psu's at the bottom half ........ other gear at the top ... I am in the process of finishing the room ....... as I say very humble compared to your fabulous space .... I may pluck up the courage to post a picture....I am sure I would be in for some ridicule....of some sort (I am very sensitive )

difficult to appear ridiculous with such a system....perhaps with 500 series amps and source with bose speakers in a bathroom.

looks like you have some fun times head Dave, enjoy! Much better to be indoors on days like these

My NDS always sat one and a half shelf spaces below my 552 pre.  I note that you've put the pre below the ND55,  the same 1.5 shelf spaces.  Was there any 'official' thinking about ND555 placement on the rack or was this just a means to show the ND555 at its best ?

BTW, congratulations on your aquisition Dave, I am of course jealous 

Roger

French Rooster posted:

Richieroo posted:

Wow great system and a great space! That should sound fabulous - keep us posted ....epic. My room in comparison is very very compact and my 500 system is in a single stack ........ psu's at the bottom half ........ other gear at the top ... I am in the process of finishing the room ....... as I say very humble compared to your fabulous space .... I may pluck up the courage to post a picture....I am sure I would be in for some ridicule....of some sort (I am very sensitive )

difficult to appear ridiculous with such a system....perhaps with 500 series amps and source with bose speakers in a bathroom.

Ha ha was tempted ..... could try a set of Utopias in the toilet!!!!!