Xpsdr or 555dr?

First the electronics than the cables in time, funds permit, is my motto

555dr is very good, it made me believer to power supplies magic

It transforms the 272 to something else, but maybe the xpsdr does that well, i have not had the change  to compare them

But ıf after 8 months you will start to think about an upgrade, go for the 555dr

I auditioned both and went for the 555 DR. It sounds more natural / musical to my ears. As Emre pointed out, the SL can come later.

Are you able to demo both to see for yourself whether the additional cost of the 555 DR is worth it to you?

Thanks guys. Yes , local dealer in Wellington is excellent so will audition. Was hoping against hope xpsdr/SL would be as good as bare 555dr/ lavender as the former is less expensive.

The XPS with SL may well sound better than the 555 with Lavender, I auditioned in the store with SL only and at home with the standard cables (I got my SL later). To me the 555 was worth the extra cost when auditioned with the same cables.

I'd say get the SL DIN/XLR first, then see (hear) if you need any power supply upgrade.

I'd only get the cables once you've sorted out the boxes, and I'd only get the din to xlr if I was getting the SL speaker leads as well. The XPS is a transformational change. The 555 is doubtless better, but I've not heard it. 

Nice dilemma to have  

555. 

I would also suggest to go for the 555DR and leave the SL for later, perhaps a nice Christmas gift for yourself. Why as already mentioned more natural, more tonal beauty, more refined. Something which is always not completely obvious until you detach the 555 and replace it again with the xps.

Chris Dolan posted:

Nice dilemma to have  

Yes, I have spent the last 2 years gradually paying off the 272/250 and realise I am lucky to be able to have done so. I was like a python swallowing a pig, it took a long time to digest, so to speak. An XPSDR will be like swallowing  another metaphorical pig, the 555 like swallowing a baby hippopotamus! But it is my retirement system, so at age 57,now is the time to do it.

Go for the baby hippopotamus!

Don't forget to add the burndy cable cost if you go for the 555

Doesn't it come with the big fat lead?

The last page of this review expresses a relevant opinion...

https://www.naimaudio.com/site...im%20NAC-N%20272.pdf

I think they come with a powerline but no burndy. 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Doesn't it come with the big fat lead?

No.

555 with SL din to xlr - you don't need SL speaker cables, I auditioned them against Chord Epic Reference and chose the Chord. Some believe in SL synergy, I say trust your ears with your system, in your home. Enjoy whatever you choose.

Tim

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Doesn't it come with the big fat lead?

No so add around £500 to the 555 cost. Who knows the OP may have his/her eye on a used 555 that has the burndy thrown in.

I'll be interested in the differences you hear between the 2. I have XPS DR and SL IC. Never considered 555dr but with all the talk on the forum about it who knows what the future could bring. I'm not using SL SC for now either. That could change later also. Think I'll get a quality audio rack first of next year and then possibly SL SC unless the 555 dr proves to be a better option. 

Huge posted:

The last page of this review expresses a relevant opinion...

https://www.naimaudio.com/site...im%20NAC-N%20272.pdf

Thanks very much Huge, an excellent, relevant article. I will be auditioning the 2 power supplies next week and report on my findings.

Yoh Kiwi Cat, I've tried the lesser Naim PSU's and ended up with the 555--frankly wish I'd bought it in the beginning --saved a lot of angst--moving on the lesser units/etc

It is the holy grail of your Naim system--accept no substitute !

Good Luck

D41

The 555PS is undoubtedly good, I loved mine on my NDAC and an NDS I borrowed for a time... and many seem to enjoy on their   N-272, however I have found it not automatically better than the XPS2 on all components...  to my ears my 555PS did not have good synergy with my NDX, CDS3 or CDX2...  it's certainly not the holy grail of a Naim system... that accolade goes to the NAC... and even some at Naim suggest the heart of the system is based around the NAC. (In whatever guise it takes)

But if the Nac is powered by the 555 maybe it's different. This is the only case where the 555 can power a nac rather than a source, though of course here it powers both.