Advice on using the ND 555 in a non Naim audio system?

i have the nds/ 555dr connected in din to rca to my all tubes preamp.  For me it works wonderfully.

Excellent vote of confidence. Thank you.

Burn him at the stake ????

You don't say what your system is, but there are quite a few people on the forum doing so ...

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

JOERINID - I've been a Naim sheep too long so apart from the Audio Research I've never heard of them, I am  sure someone else can help.

But I do look forward to hearing you Naim journey, always nice to get views from non Naim or mixers, that said most just get caught hook, line and sinker with Naim ????

I’ve owned the SN2 and miss it. May buy a friend’s SN2 In the future.  I want to go whole hog Naim, but unlikely for a while if ever. Full boat Naim can get pricey. Not like everything else is cheap but the journey to the top of the Naim stack is a little prohibitive right now. 

I’m hopeful that the ND 555 and Naim’s flavor shines through my current gear.

Joe

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

i have seen demos of audio research electronics with dcs source, why not naim....  

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

I'm sure the ND 555 will partner your existing system very well indeed.

However, if you are thinking of moving from the D'Agostino mono-blocks to Naim amplification, I assume you have the Statement power amp in mind?  

The Bricasti dac certainly gets very good reviews.  At these price points I'd recommend a listen before committing!  

French Rooster posted:

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

i have seen demos of audio research electronics with dcs source, why not naim....  

That was my thought also. No law against mixing and matching.

Hmack posted:

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

I'm sure the ND 555 will partner your existing system very well indeed.

However, if you are thinking of moving from the D'Agostino mono-blocks to Naim amplification, I assume you have the Statement power amp in mind?  

Only if I win the Lottery. 

Bart posted:

The Bricasti dac certainly gets very good reviews.  At these price points I'd recommend a listen before committing!  

I find no fault with the Bricasti, but was thinking of trading in some gear towards the ND 555. A demo before hand will be difficult at best.

joeinid posted:

Hmack posted:

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

I'm sure the ND 555 will partner your existing system very well indeed.

However, if you are thinking of moving from the D'Agostino mono-blocks to Naim amplification, I assume you have the Statement power amp in mind?  

Only if I win the Lottery. 

dagostino monos are perhaps on the same level as statement.  The reference 10 is a hell of amplifier.   Why change that?      Only the m1 is not on the level of your electronics.   Have you heard the m12?     you have also ch precision dac/ streamer or linn klimax ds3.    And of course the nd555, which would be my choice.     You have already 100k electronics, so at this level is it really a lottery problem?       

French Rooster posted:

joeinid posted:

Hmack posted:

joeinid posted:

 

Hahahaha 

Audio Research Ref 10 pre, D’Agostino M400 monos, Revel Studio2 and JBL 4367. Current dac is a Bricasti M1se but has a network upgrade available that I’m thinking of not doing in favor of the ND 555.

I'm sure the ND 555 will partner your existing system very well indeed.

However, if you are thinking of moving from the D'Agostino mono-blocks to Naim amplification, I assume you have the Statement power amp in mind?  

Only if I win the Lottery. 

dagostino monos are perhaps on the same level as statement.  The reference 10 is a hell of amplifier.   Why change that?      Only the m1 is not on the level of your electronics.   Have you heard the m12?     you have also ch precision dac/ streamer or linn klimax ds3.    And of course the nd555, which would be my choice.     You have already 100k electronics, so at this level is it really a lottery problem?       

At this level, all the gear is good but the flavor is different among brands. Maybe the retail price is that high but purchase price and selling price was and will be much lower. Buy in for Naim will already be higher, so outlay will be more as well unfortunately.

I find ch precision lean/dry. I find Naim extremely musical and meaty.

Joenid, i am not sure to understand.  Are you disappointed by audio research ref 10 and dagostino monos?     Are you sure that an all naim system will be what you dream of?

For myself, i find an all naim system lacking something.  There’s a bit of edgyness or hardness sometimes.  I am searching a more refined sound, with the quickness and prat of naim.   But i have not heard the statement level.

I use an ear yoshino 912 pre, which give me more textures, colors, and fluidity vs the 252 i had before.  And the phono inside is wonderful too.   The dynamics are on top too.

Not disappointed but my original thinking was to add the ND 555 to add some Naim flavor and experiment from there.

 I was not originally planning on replacing everything at once. I was interested in just trying out the ND 555 to start.

Joe

ok Joenid, i understand, and i hope you will enjoy the naim beast.

joeinid posted:

Not disappointed but my original thinking was to add the ND 555 to add some Naim flavor and experiment from there.

 I was not originally planning on replacing everything at once. I was interested in just trying out the ND 555 to start.

Joe

 

Hi, I have NDS/555PS DR + SuperLumina DIN to RCA to Avantgarde Acoustics Integrated & Duo XD speakers. I can confirm that source first thinking is working and you can get Naim characteristics into the sound. Of course Naim amps are bringing different flavour with many speakers but like in my case 1 watt is enought and I can get something out what I cannot get with Naim. I used to have full Naim setup earlier.

I have also tested MSB Diamond and Linn Klimax and liked NDS more.

Interesting I'm toying with the idea of a valve phono stage as my existing one is not Naim anyway so I thought why not?

Thank you for the replies so far. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the ND 555.

Sticking my neck out saying this:I would try both ND555 and dSC Rossini... similar price points (factoring in the power supply) but a more committed strategy from dSC when it comes to digital technology... whether the attention to detail from NAIM when it comes to the analogue stage  is suficient to tip the scales in favor of ND555 is something I am rather curious about...

i have read on some reviews that the streaming section of the rossini is inferior, in sound quality, vs its cd transport.  Some even connected the dcs bridge to it to lift the sound in streaming.

I’m sure at this price point there are many options. The “problem” with digital is the rapid pace of advances and manufacturers trying to keep up.

French Rooster posted:

i have read on some reviews that the streaming section of the rossini is inferior, in sound quality, vs its cd transport.  Some even connected the dcs bridge to it to lift the sound in streaming.

I have read the same (CD playback been better on Rossini) but I have some friends who consistently  “hear” the same with my NDX being used as DAC fed by a transport...

off topic: ND555/Rossini levels being out of reach I will seriously consider the newly announced Bartók dSC streamer (which is at the NDX2+PS price point) as next step for me 

there is also the Weiss medus streamer/dac, for 22k.   Review by Jason Kennedy on hifi plus, free on google.

Audiomat maestro 3 reference, i heard it, very good, but a special look.

Msb dacs, with streaming card option and stratospheric prices.