NDAC vs XPS vs 555PS

It goes more analogue. Loses the harshness at the top end and gains some control in the midrange/bass (or am I just saying it gains control full stop). And that's with a 13 year old CDPS pressed into service as an XPS look alike...

thanks Andy!
Ralf

I ran a 'bare' nDAC for about 3 months. It replaced a CD3.5/HiCap that I had run for 15 years. The nDAC blew me away in comparison. More of everything, resolution, soundstage, everything.

I added a 555PS a couple of weeks ago. This changes the whole tonal character. As Andy said, much more analogue. Things like cymbals and human voices are brilliantly realised. The effect of the 555PS did not blow me away like the nDAC but it really grows on you day after day after day. Bear in mind though that I have only ever run digital front ends so an 'analoguey' DAC is a culture shock for me.

The nDAC is fantastic on its own. The PS is the icing on the cake.

Gavin.

PS. Also gains about 15 degrees on the volume control before you start thinking "it's loud" (or should I say "IT'S LOUD" )

I'm thinking of buying 555PS and guess if it gives the same leap over XPS as the XPS gave me over bare nDAC?

My dealer suggested that it didn't. He claimed that he had a customer who was wowed by the bare DAC->XPS upgrade but thought the XPS->555PS improved it, but not by the same level so didn't buy.

Definitely one to audition yourself based on that I think (and if I had the money/didn't have an old CDPS lying around, I'd have bought an XPS without a home dem).

quote:

He claimed that he had a customer who was wowed by the bare DAC->XPS upgrade but thought the XPS->555PS improved it, but not by the same level so didn't buy.

Andy, I need a photo of this customer ears before I would trust him

Are you keen to do your own demo?

quote:

Originally posted by AMA:
Are you keen to do your own demo?

No. No money available for an upgrade and I'm thinking a home brewed power supply may be an interesting side project (one of my friends is a very well respected pro audio engineer whose day job is keeping studio equipment running and I have a degree in Electronics so we should be able to come up with something interesting between us). Plus it would save an awful lot of money

AMA,

I can't help you on a comparison between XPS2 and 555PS with the nDAC. I got an offer I could not refuse on a used 555PS (less than 6 months old). In addition to providing sterling work with the nDAC I figure it may have a place with any reference DAC that might be forthcoming.

I think it is definitely one to audition if you are buying new.

Gav.

dont believe any differences are worth £5k. if money is no problem then its ok, most of us it is far too expensive. ive finally listen to the psu and the differnces are there. different or better its debateable

quote:

Originally posted by rich46:
dont believe any differences are worth £5k.

That is ridiculous. Are the Naim DAC's differences from others worth the $3500?

-Patrick

We are well within the realms of the law of diminishing returns but the returns were tangible. For me the difference between the XPS2 and 555PS were not small and all good - within this context. It didn't seem this way at first when I had one on loan over a W/E. Yet more detail came out, which was good. The voicing changed in a way it didn't with the XPS2, seeming more forward and less forgiving. It also struck me as over bassed. The latter was easy enough to tune by small changes in speaker positioning.

I just sat back and listened to the music, trying not to be distracted by the changes. Easier said than done. On returning the unit I was in no doubt that it was different but I was not too inclined to thrust my hand in my pocket. It was only when I got home and resumed listening with the XPS2 that I realised a noticeable chunk of the enjoyment had been removed with the removal of the 555PS. There was less musical enjoyment.

I've spent a couple of hours at the dealer with a CDX2-2 plus and minus the DAC. The benefits of the DAC were obvious and compelling. This upgrade is obviously the biggest one and compared to the cost of adding an XPS2 to the CDX2, the DAC is excellent VFM. Having subsequently heard the DAC at all three levels there is no doubt in my mind that each is excellent at it's respective price point. It's just a question of how far you are willing or able to go to ring the last drop of nectar out. For the outlay involved, you can't lose at any level.

The switch throw for me was the trade in value of the XPS2. I had a cost to upgrade point over which I would not step and I had resolved to be very firm on this, even if the difference was a quid (that was the plan anyway). The cost to change was £29 less than my threshold. deal done. The next person who walks into my listening room may well conclude I wasted my money. That's valid. I have no problems with that. It's my money.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy S:
My dealer suggested that it didn't. He claimed that he had a customer who was wowed by the bare DAC->XPS upgrade but thought the XPS->555PS improved it, but not by the same level so didn't buy.

Definitely one to audition yourself based on that I think (and if I had the money/didn't have an old CDPS lying around, I'd have bought an XPS without a home dem).

My dealer also suggested they didn't like the 555PS with nDAC. They preferred the XPS. I just wish I had enough cash to find out for myself!

Seriously, I ran my nDAC for a few days and then a one year old XPS came up on eBay. I bought it and it certainly brings greater clarity. I can't remember what I was listening to but I remember immediately being aware of more detail on the drum kit, particularly the cymbals. I also found that imaging is much sharper and offers greater dimension.