What digital source feeds your 552 ?
Posted by: elkman70 on 21 February 2016
There have been many new, highly acclaimed, digital sources enter the market over the past couple of years which for the most part have been relatively inexpensive for the performance obtained. In many cases they are considerably less expensive than the pre amplifier, which I think goes against the conventional wisdom of a few years ago where advice suggested most spend should be on the source, less on the amplifier and less again on the speakers.
This brings me to my question;
What digital source feeds your 552 ?
I suspect that many folk who are fortunate enough to own a 552 use a less expensive digital source compared to the cost of the pre amplifier. If this is the case, do you believe that the source becomes the bottle neck to extracting the best from the music via the 552, or is it just that digital source components are now good value for money and the digital source and 552 can work in harmony without exposing each other's weaknesses.
Regard,
Nick
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by varyat
None 
.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Graham Russell
I no longer have a 552 but it was fed with Linn KDS/2.
Graham
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by LarsDK
i use nds/555dr which i expect will be the case for many (and then your power amp and speakers), its fantastic, lars
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Darke Bear
My CD555 fed my 552 Pre and now feeds a Statement S1 Pre - the bottleneck in my system was not the source.
DB.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by rsch
Mine is a very classic combo fed by CD555, with a view of optimization i moved Rega P3 and Stageline
to my 2nd system
Regards
Roberto
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by ayap1
Like Drake Bear only the CD 555.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Polarbear
The CD 555, Roksan TMS and the Naim Nat 01
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Bert Schurink
It's a 555PS DR powered NDS....
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Allante93
I often hear talk of an upgraded version of the NDS to Match The Statement!
CD555 @ 25K USD
NDS @ 13K
2nd Hand Ndacs, @ about 2K!
Perhaps thats it, just talk!
In a post done earlier this year, Richard Dane pointed out the major differences between The Ndac and the NDS dac section.
Similar Indeed, with NDS going further with suspension boards, and the lack of an internal PS!
I don't know much about Streaming, but it appears the Ndac could be an integral part, if one is seeking an additional source.
Hence, 2 digital sources!
CD555 & Ndac/?
The Armchair QB!
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Darke Bear
I should have said the CD555 has twin 555PS DR.
DB.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by glevethan
CD555 replaced by a KDS/2 (and the KDS/1 before that).
With the ability to stream full CD quality via Tidal and Quobuz it sees as much action as the LP12
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Allante93
As Simon has pointed out, we are entering a new Paradigm, where choice prevails, depending on Music, and Mood.
That's right, The Analog TT, The Digital CD, and Digital Streaming!
2 out of 3 ain't Bad!
The Armchair QB!!!
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by tonym
Chord qbd76hdsd (nice, snappy name..). Replaced a 555, which it bettered by quite a lot. I've since played host to a DAVE, but the qbd's got a less detailed and gentler sound. Never got the 2x555 ps thing on the 555, still sounds wrong to me.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by rjstaines
NDS + 2x 555PS and nDAC for other digital sources (DAT, DAB, CD)
Would love to be able to say CD555, but may have to make do with a CDX2 feeding the NDS DAC.
And then for analogue... Klimax LP12 thro S/L interconnect (OK I'm expanding ElkmaN'S original question)
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Chris Dolan
My little old CDS3/XPS2 - and it sounds a lot better with my 552 than it did with my 252.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Bodger
I have a CDS3 with 555ps. This was after all Naim's top fight system a few years back. I have never had the chance to hear the CD555. I am planning to go streaming with NDS. I have just bought a NAS to rip to. So I have not chosen to explore the myriad alternatives that you allude to. And no, I don't think the source is the bottle neck. I do take your point and it is an interesting question. My weak point is the speakers, 10 year old B&W 803s. Much needed upgrade, long overdue.
Dave
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Hook
NDS/555PS DR connected using SL DIN5.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by naim_nymph
CDS3+555PSDR using HI-Line
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by DaveBk
NDS with a single 555PS. Excellent source IMO.
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Richard Sellicks
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by dave marshall
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by N16SPS
CD555 & ND5XS - both bettered by Analogue sources!!! LP 12 & R2R
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by Sloop John B
2 digital sources at the moment:
CD555 with one power supply.
Squeezebox Touch > nDAC.
In the process of moving the streaming digital source to a Sonic Orbiter SE > Hugo TT (primarily to get a Roon endpoint with the best sonic quality and see what all the Hugo fuss is about [aka Sweaty Betty])
SJB
Posted on: 21 February 2016 by yeti42
CDX2/555ps, not the DR version. The 552DR brought a big improvement even to this player but my main source is still vinyl. I'd need a wall shelf for the Rock if I want a CDS3 or 555; I'm running out of room for records and eyeing up the alcove full of CDs so will try the NDS first but not sure I'll get on with looking through lists on a screen to select the next record.
Posted on: 22 February 2016 by Richard Dane
Well, I've just gone back to the Naim DAC (and XPS DR) as my main digital source on the 552. However, most of my listening is still done with an analogue source...
