NDX2

Gazza posted:

Don,t worry it is wonderful......Just don,t listen to the ND555....if I had never heard it and followed up in this demo.....I would be over the moon with an NDX2. The NDX2 bare is a significant step up to my Nova......I just had planned to go further if need be.

Good plan. Enjoy your new kit Gazza - looks like you'll be having a lot of fun !

James

nigelb posted:

Oohhh....Gazza, forgot to ask. Are they now giving away a pair of those fetching green Naim underpants with the ND555. That could just swing it for this fashion-conscious Naimee!

Sorry forgot to ask.......was just trying to get out with the shirt on my back and the “troosers”.....

nigelb posted:

Great feed back Gazza and thanks for the detail, just the comparisons I am interested in.

It seems rather clear that you much preferred going from NDX2 to ND555 (with a 252/SupercapDR) than going from 252 to 552 (with a NDX2/555DR). That is a surprising result but not entirely unexpected.

Can I ask, did you listen to the ND555/552 combo?

Bet you can't wait!

Nigel I could afford it.....but I am the sort of person, if I hear it and it’s jaw dropping there is no going back. This step up from Nova is so significant......I decided not to go there. And I am glad I did  not... got a nice deal.

Gazza posted:

nigelb posted:

Great feed back Gazza and thanks for the detail, just the comparisons I am interested in.

It seems rather clear that you much preferred going from NDX2 to ND555 (with a 252/SupercapDR) than going from 252 to 552 (with a NDX2/555DR). That is a surprising result but not entirely unexpected.

Can I ask, did you listen to the ND555/552 combo?

Bet you can't wait!

Nigel I could afford it.....but I am the sort of person, if I hear it and it’s jaw dropping there is no going back. This step up from Nova is so significant......I decided not to go there. And I am glad I did  not... got a nice deal.

I understand Gazza.

Enjoy your new system, but it would seem impossible not to!

Pcd posted:

Gazza posted

Yes excited.....but the moment the first note was played on the ND555 was “oh dear” or words to that effect.

Gazza, glad you had a good demo I'm using a NDX with a XPSdr but had a home demo of a 555PS on the NDX with a view to changing the NDX for a NDX2 and then a ND555 at a later date. (I did have a NDX2 on order)

The dealer then swapped the NDX for a ND555 and like you my jaw dropped, that was three weeks ago and I don't think its closed properly since.

Just counting down the days till the ND555 and 555PS are delivered will be using it with much the same as your purchase today.

Naim seem to have cracked it with the ND555 it is something rather special ?

 

A number of us questioned the old dac technology at the time when they announced it.......me more than most...apologies to Naim staff. I struggle with demo,s with no musical reference point......now with hearing the ND555 with music I like, it’s very special. But per previous posts the NDX2/NDS with power supply are still amazing.

Gazza great news!!!

Good that you were able to do the full comparisons along the upgrade path and have gone for the ND555, hardly a surprise!!!

Hope to meet you at the Audio East show later this year. Enjoy your new kit when it arrives.   

Thanks Michael must say it should be awesome in your 2 x ps and 552/500 system. By the way speaking with the guys your cd555 ended up in China.......the world Is getting smaller.

Nice one Gazza. I’m staying well clear of any dealers. If your Nova is broken, I’ll have it for my media room ????

Gosh gone to China!!! 

If you are ever up Norwich way do call in.

Thanks. Michael

Thanks for sharing the report Gazza; I have been waiting all week to hear your conclusions from this fascinating demo - I think I am now looking down both barrels of an ND555 through my 272 on pre-amp duties for a couple of years! Could mean no new pre-amp or speaker update for a while and the plans for an RP10 have just gone to the moon. I was resigned to having to get a 552 to make this work but you have given me hope!

Gazza posted:

Well I have just returned from my demo. We started with bare NDX2 into 252/Nap 300 PMC 25.25 with superlumina interconnects and NACa5 speaker cable. It really has a lot of detail and was enjoyable across a lot of music. I played a couple of tracks to remind me of how an NDX sounded a few weeks ago. Then for them to come alive needed a power supply, the NDX2 did not with the same music

We then put on a XPSdr.....it gave a significant uplift in performance, greater weight, dynamics and female vocals really seemed to be much better controlled at the high end when “belting” it out...read Linda ronstadt etc. We then swapped the ps for a 555ps....it gave a little more control, weight and authority, but if I was not intending on further upgrades I would stick with a XPSdr. At this point we had a quick chat about the merits of the NDX2....it really is very good, but does present music differently to the NDS. In their opinion and my very limited experience of the NDS.....it probably is still ahead of the NDX2. And at current prices a bargain.

We then swapped out the NDX2 for the ND555 and replayed the same track I had been playing by Dr John. It only took the first few notes and unfortunately my jaw dropped in front of my dealer. Although I had heard the ND555 a few times before...all were less than ideal. I then played a variety of music and it’s ability to retrieve detail and pull it together musically amazed me. I had so wanted to like the NDX2......but it’s very difficult to unlearn what you have just learnt.

Still I had one last request...try NDX2/555ps into a 552. With the same music I lasted less than one track before I gave up on that idea. I was listening to a Gary Clark jnr track, before he was very much alive and in the room......but now he had faded away somewhere behind the rear wall.

we then tried a second 555ps on the ND555...again an improvement but not earth shattering. So in summary I have ordered an ND555, and will partner with ex demo 252/supercap and trade my Nova in. Expensive even with a good deal......but something I have been planning for the last year.

Both the NDX2 bare, with PS or the NDS are by no means broken.....but the ND555 is a big step up to my ears.

Very interesting post - I’ve only just read it as I have been travelling. Good that the often overlooked XPS gets a thumbs up. I had a similar experience, pre DR days, when I purchased my CDX2. I’ll be honest - I couldn’t hear much difference at all. Your experience with the NDX2/552 v ND555/252 illustrates that the source is still the most important component - and that the 252 ain’t that bad (spoken as an owner of one of course). Happy listening to your new kit.

Gazza posted:

... got a nice deal.

If only all dealers were so competitive. I would feel disloyal to go elsewhere after a home demo etc. but some don’t offer any price reduction. 

I had a roadmap in my head which I shared with dealer ...I would get a power amp for Nova, happened to end up as 250 then 300.....did that...while waiting for new streamers.  Futuring as best I could...Nova should be unaffected by ND555 for trade in. Perhaps I was lucky I was starting from scratch, and the dealer near Felixstowe is rather special.

My ND555 stopped working a few weeks after I bought it Ex dem from my dealer so is now back with Naim

my dealer gave me my NDS back which I am using with 2 PS555 and is sounding great

i am having a loan of their NDX2 ( picking up Saturday just before they close) so will have 2 evenings with it to see how sounds compared to NDS with one PS555 then I will put 2nd PS555 back on to NDS and will do a post on Monday 

I need to ask my dealer how long my Nd 555 is going to be at Naim for the fault in the display to be sorted.

as when it worked it was amazing with one ps555 but with 2 I found it to be awesome.

Ex-dem?? Its only been available for 5 mins..?

went back to [@mention:1566878603906177] today (mainly to listen to LP12 and arms) but I did get the opportunity to re listen to thier demon NDX2, which they have had for a week

what a transformation from last week when fresh out of the both - focus, detail musicality blown away to be honest, rest of system was 252,SCDR, 250DR into the NEW demo par Kudos T505 - which are spell bindingly good - musicality on another level!

put on High res of Genesis Firth of Forth - WOW the music came ou focus soundstange - the Piano was detailed and focused, love this track and it just came alive! 

If you are in the market for some new stand speakers these must be added to your list and as for NDX2 - brilliant uplift in a week 

“their demon NDX2” 

conjures many an interesting picture in my imagination. 

.sjb

Sloop John B posted:

“their demon NDX2” 

conjures many an interesting picture in my imagination. 

.sjb

LOL!  Well it is  sounding really good now

How does an NDX2/555PS sound verses an NDS/555PS or is I still too early to say because no one has a fully run in NDX2?

Keith

Tony, you bought an ND555 ex demo?? It's only just come out...

KRM posted:

How does an NDX2/555PS sound verses an NDS/555PS or is I still too early to say because no one has a fully run in NDX2?

Keith

I recall reading somewhere that it can take up to 500 hours for good cables to burn in, which is about 3 weeks if left on 24/7. After that we can start to judge the true performance of the NDX2.

Crispy posted:

KRM posted:

How does an NDX2/555PS sound verses an NDS/555PS or is I still too early to say because no one has a fully run in NDX2?

Keith

I recall reading somewhere that it can take up to 500 hours for good cables to burn in, which is about 3 weeks if left on 24/7. After that we can start to judge the true performance of the NDX2.

Doesn't the NDX2 revert to its switch mode power supply when not in use ?

Will this effect its burn in time ?

Crispy posted:

KRM posted:

How does an NDX2/555PS sound verses an NDS/555PS or is I still too early to say because no one has a fully run in NDX2?

Keith

I recall reading somewhere that it can take up to 500 hours for good cables to burn in, which is about 3 weeks if left on 24/7. After that we can start to judge the true performance of the NDX2.

I think the house number is 200 hours of burn in. Obviously when your power supply is already used, the effect of the burn in of the Streamer will be less prominent...

Rattlesnaic posted:

Doesn't the NDX2 revert to its switch mode power supply when not in use ?  Will this effect its burn in time ?

I suspect it might.  When its not needed (night times & when house empty) I would not put it into standby & point it at an iRadio service & leave it on that 24/7.   With the pre-amp on & muted all the NDX2 circuits, incl output stage, are working.   200 hours is just over 8 days.     

Also remember if its used with an XPS or 555PS the SMPS low standby power feature is not used.