The Future of HiFi Road Show

Posted by: rjstaines on 23 April 2012

The "Future of HiFi" came to Chester at the weekend (to Acoustica) and I had the pleasure of meeting the one and only Phil for the first time, along with Mark from sales.  And a great pleasure it was - Phil is as much a gentleman in real life as he is on this forum!

 

But more importantly for me, I heard the prototype NDS powered by one 555 and feeding a 252/300/600s.  For those who have not yet had the pleasure, it IS a pleasure that awaits you. And by the time you've done the sums and disposed of your nDAC, the price comes somewhere nearer to....  well, who can put a price on the enjoyment of music this player will bring?

(OK, lots of you can) 

 

Typical pre-production scenario though, whet your appetite, show you the goodies and then cough politely when delivery dates are inquired about.  So it's sit tight, save hard and pray that the development team continue to be inspired (quickly inspired, in fact) !

Posted on: 15 July 2012 by Audioneophyte

So this kit was considered a balanced kit by whoever put it together?

 

I thought going to a 552 before going to 600s would be the next step up...   Interesting....

Posted on: 16 July 2012 by rjstaines

I think it was a matter of what's closest to their customers' kit.  I for one was quite happy - I had one 555, a 252 and a 300. Only difference for me was that I have B&W803Ds, not S600s. But what I heard was enough for me to order an NDS and a Fraim Lite.

 

Since then, the Fraim Lite has arrived, the NDS has arrived and a used NAC552 has fallen out of the sky... Christmas really has come early!

 

And the result is now a wonderfully open and dynamic quality of music the likes of which I have not before experienced!

 

The downside, if you could call it that - I had very little time with the NDS plus my 252 before the 552 suddenly appeared, so I'm listening now to changes that result from both the NDS and the preamp, so my comments on SQ would be of very little use to the folks on this forum who want to know about NDS's.

 

But hey ho, how many chances do you get to grab hold of a 552.. for me... ONE.  So I grabbed it !!

 

And as Phil is so often heard saying in Salisbury... "Sacre bleu ! "   (which I think is French for  "that's flippin' wonderful" )  

Posted on: 16 July 2012 by Audioneophyte

I have been looking for a used 552 also...  I can't justify one new...but a used on I am willing to go for if under 17K USD... do you think this is realistic?

Posted on: 16 July 2012 by rjstaines

The used 552s in the UK seem to go for between 7,000 and 9,000 GBP (11,000 - 14,000 USD).  Even adding shipping to the US, you're going to come in under your budget... and it's every bit worth it.

Posted on: 16 July 2012 by totemphile

110V in the US

Import tax?

Local support for UK gear?

 

Best to be clear on them first....

Posted on: 16 July 2012 by Audioneophyte

i appreciate the plug and other items but its great to get at least a comparable...  with a list of 29KUSD new and the ones I have seen range from 17 to 22K USD used...  so its just good to know the comparable, I appreciate it.