XP5XS to 555DR

Yes, I never quite believed what a top notch power supply could do and why the hell they are so expensive…..until I swapped my XPS for a PS555DR on my NDS.

To quote the fab four….now 'I'm a believer'…..

wasn't that The Monkees?

There is not a trace of doubt in my mind that it was The Monkees. There is also not a trace of doubt in my mind that the 555DR is a fantastic upgrade for the 272. 

I'm just finding this out feels that the excellent 272 has just come alive with introduction of 555DR my Tabs are responding well and the next few days should be interesting.

Correct, it was the Monkees. Yes, I was daydreaming. You could say I am a Daydream Believer.

Good save, don't you think!

Enjoy the 555DR.

The ND555 should help you hear the difference between the fab 4 and the Monkees  Nigel, perhaps we can chat at Audio show east????

Gazza, that is below the belt. I thought I extracted myself rather well. Clearly not!

BTW I am going to the show on the Friday, which day are you going?

Approaching two weeks in with the 555DR and everything has opened up even listening to Radio Paradise in 320 mp3 is very  enjoyable.

Switch to old red book CDs ripped to flac and this is where the system starts to perform, Proac Tab 10 signatures delivering a wonderful performance and just disappear, decay of instruments, female vocals it's the full package.

Fully agree. I auditioned the NAC 272 with the XPS PS but bought the 555 without ever hearing it based on reviews written on this forum and glad I did. Will now get to use it with a near future ND555. I'm actually concerned that the step up in SQ may not be that great in my current system. Hope I'm wrong.

The 272/555 and 300 is extraordinarily capable. To move to an ND555 and a 552 costs an extra £30,000. That’s a lot to me. I wouldn’t bother with a 282 or 252, it’s a 552 or nothing. So nothing. 

If you happy to slum it like me...a move from 272 to used NDS and 252 is a nice step up..

Hi HH

I thought you might respond to my post. I agree completely regarding 552 or nothing in moving to the ND555. The cost is insane. But if I can somehow justify this, will it be "amazing"?

A 282/Hicap/250 is a nice system too. Doesnt have to be 552/500.

jsaudio posted:

The cost is insane. But if I can somehow justify this, will it be "amazing"?

Only you can decide that. 

jsaudio posted:

Hi HH

I thought you might respond to my post. I agree completely regarding 552 or nothing in moving to the ND555. The cost is insane. But if I can somehow justify this, will it be "amazing"?

I’ve had a 552, and it’s brilliant. But the 272/555 is really not that far behind. This night and day stuff that people trot out is just bollocks. I wouldn’t say the difference is amazing, no. I was thinking a few months ago of getting an ND555 and a 552 and decided to stick with what I have and spend the money on a car. My 272 is maxed out with dedicated mains, SL wires and a Fraim and it’s quite good enough. Others may think it’s a heap of crap. Only a good listen will really tell you. It’s easy to get caught up in the gottohavethenewthing when what you’ve got is more than good enough. 

Yes it isn't far behind. In fact I listened to an ND555/555 with the pre-amp section of the 272/XPSPS. The speakers were Sopra-2 and the amp was a NAP 250DR and it wasn't quite as good as my existing 272/555,NAP300DR and Sopra-3 although I think room acoustics played a significant role. I'm lucky to have a room with very good general acoustics. This why I'm a little concerned that step-up in SQ may not be that great. The 272/555 is really a winning combo.

Gosh, the 555 power supply must make a hell of a difference! I’ve not heard a 272 sound anywhere close to a 552.

I suppose it’s how you define close, and whether you think it’s worth spending £30,000 to move from one to the other. It’s both subjective and personal. 

If you just cast your eyes over the Audio show east thread.......people respond to Hifi and music differently. You have to listen for yourself. Some people thought some Hifi rooms great, others not as good to awful. Hifi dealers see the different responses by people every day to Hifi kit. Most of us never get to hear such a range of product. Find a good dealer to take you through the upgrades you are thinking about, they may even have some other ideas.

hungryhalibut posted:

This night and day stuff that people trot out is just bollocks.

 I have to heartily agree (and I have a 552). Really at a certain level you are moving more into nuances than we probably care to admit. 

.sjb