555PS (non dr or dr) for nDAC
Posted by: Winson on 10 February 2018
My current setup is 282 with HiCap dr/250dr/nDAC.
I hv good offer for both 555ps (both dr n non dr). Which is a better choice for my nDAC? Some mentioned non dr is better for the dac but i wonder how a newer dr would not perform better. Many thx for your advice.
What digital transport do you use?
Im using a TASCAM transport.
Winson posted:Im using a TASCAM transport.
As in Tascam CD-200?
If I may suggest one thing - forget the power supply for now and see if you can find a good CD5XS or CDX2.2 to feed your nDAC.
I preferred the non DR 555PS with my NDAC... just sounded more organic and natural... but highly subjective
Update version 4.11.8 made a substantial change to the nDAC signature that may have changed the perceived difference of adding a 555PS-DR vs. a 555PS non DR.
Chag -
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:I preferred the non DR 555PS with my NDAC... just sounded more organic and natural... but highly subjective
Simon, what do you think was occurring to give this outcome?
My (simple) understanding is the PS keeps the toroidal transformer baddies (RFI/EMI?) away from the signal, in essence providing a "pure supply". I presume the DR gives the purer supply (but maybe not).
Seriously interested, not trolling.
.sjb
Not sure.. I think possibly the slightly noisier non DR powersupply added some character to the NDAC that helped provide that organic slightly less than pristine analogue feel. I found the DR powersupply made the NDAC sound too ‘clean’ and ultimately too ‘hifi’ and unnatural to my ears...
At one time I preferred the nonDR 555PS on the nDAC. That was when I tried both versions with my then 282/SC/250.2. The DR version gave more detail but seemed to do too much with the bass being a bit overwhelming and the top being too hard and digital. The nonDR 555PS seemed just right.
However some time later when my system had changed e.g. full SL loom and the 250.2 had been replaced by a 300DR, I was demoing at home a 552DR. Something wasn't as good as the clone of my system I had heard at my dealers. The penny then dropped that the dealer was using 555PSDR and mine was non-DR. My dealer brought round the 555PSDR and then things fell into place. My opinion on which 555PS was better was reversed and I ordered an upgrade to my unit. So, I'd say the non-DR 555PS sounded better for me when there were no other DR components were in the system but the 555PSDR showed its superiority when the pre and power had DR.
As ever, though, it's worth listening to both in your system. That said if the non-DR version is significantly cheaper (as it should be), you can always go with that, comfortable in the thought that you can have it DR'ed later if and when you feel ready.
Simon, that's a great way to explain what happened when I tried a Supercap DR on the 52. Better resolution and "space between the notes", both consistent with a lower noise floor, yet somehow the music flowed better when the 52 was powered by the olive Supercap. Maybe there is something to do with the final tuning stage of Naim product development that creates these anomalies. However, old is absolutely not universally better than new in this respect. The Superline sounded considerably better with a Supercap DR than with the olive Supercap , but then it was developed with the SCDR.
I'm still vacillating over whether to have my 555PS DRed when it comes up for a service, as it works rather well as it is with the CDS3.
Best regards, FT
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:Not sure.. I think possibly the slightly noisier non DR powersupply added some character to the NDAC that helped provide that organic slightly less than pristine analogue feel. I found the DR powersupply made the NDAC sound too ‘clean’ and ultimately too ‘hifi’ and unnatural to my ears...
Interesting, if I'm understanding correctly, the nonDR power supply is adding something (character) that the DR one isn't and you prefer this more analogue sound.
I wonder if someone who hadn't been "programmed" by the vinyl (analogue) sound would hear it differently.
Thanks.
.sjb
I recently borrowed a 555 DR'd power supply for my 555 CD and thought it made a substantial improvement in all areas, and in my case definitely seemed to make everything more organic and musical. Also tried a 552DR supply but would say this was less of an improvement overall. Going back to standard supplies was quite a wrench though!
I've used a 555PS on an NDac with a CDX2
I also prefer my nDAC with a non-DR 555. It’s seems a more natural, organic combo than with 555DR.