CD555 post ND555

Posted by: Bryce Curdy on 13 May 2018

It is clearly in Naim's interest to claim that the ND555 is their best ever source seeing as they no longer manufacture the CD555 which I assume claimed the title since it was introduced up until now.  But if true and not mere marketing hyperbole, where does that leave the CD555 and its owners which include myself?

We obviously own a 555PS and probably most have DR upgraded.  But if the ND555 sounds clearly better, the second hand value of a CD555 will probably take a hit, possibly a big one.  But even allowing for that, switching to an ND555 for me would be relatively affordable and if it sounds better getting rid of all those CDs from my shelves would be appealing.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by The Strat (Fender)

Yes.   

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Bert Schurink

So assuming it’s better, I still belief the CD555 will remain valuable, as some people will still prefer the physical aspect of the CD’s, it will be especially attractive for CDX2 and CDS3 owners.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Emre

Like my self, who wants to change cd2x with a good cd555...

i will always keep a cd player

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Chag...

I am wondering when Naim will issue a PSU switch device so I can alternatively connect my 555DR and go from CD to ND555 on the fly. ????

Chag -

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by yeti42
Chag... posted:

I am wondering when Naim will issue a PSU switch device so I can alternatively connect my 555DR and go from CD to ND555 on the fly. ????

Chag -

Now you know that’s not the Naim way, you’ll just have to get a second 555ps.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Chag...

Indeed, where was I? ????

Chag -

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by rsch

If ever one day i' d go for ND555 or NDX, i'll keep tm CD555 as well, one of most beautiful item, along with Nap 500 ever built by Naim. 

For me the sheer pleasure to use and collect silver discs will never ends. Then if the streamer counterparts will sound better  it will be an added bonus, but i ll never get rid of a cd player. In fact i just bought a  CDX2-2 for my second system.

Regards

Roberto

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by The Strat (Fender)

The whole thing is a bit of a dilemma.  Having the Qb has highlighted the convenience of streaming but I’d be loathed to give up the sheer pleasure of listening to the CDS3.   

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by DaveBk

Let’s see what the ND555 brings. I’m constantly impressed with the NDS so am eagerly awaiting the ND555. Streaming is the way go for me, but then it has been for over 10 years, so no great surprise. 

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Polarbear

The introduction of the ND 555 takes nothing away from the CD 555, it remains a first class CD player and will be desrired by anyone who has a large CD collection they want to keep using.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Bryce Curdy
Polarbear posted:

The introduction of the ND 555 takes nothing away from the CD 555, it remains a first class CD player and will be desrired by anyone who has a large CD collection they want to keep using.

Agreed, but if you owned a CD555 and then purchased an ND555 because it sounded even better, where does that leave your CD555?  When would you listen to it?  Roon potentially replaces the sleeve notes.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Polarbear
Bryce Curdy posted:
Polarbear posted:

The introduction of the ND 555 takes nothing away from the CD 555, it remains a first class CD player and will be desrired by anyone who has a large CD collection they want to keep using.

Agreed, but if you owned a CD555 and then purchased an ND555 because it sounded even better, where does that leave your CD555?  When would you listen to it?  Roon potentially replaces the sleeve notes.

One imagines that you either sell your CD 555 to fund the ND 555 or you simply use them side by side.  I currently have three great sources which I use on a regular basis. I don't see a problem in using the ND555 and CD555 side by side.

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by douglas

Having worked my way up from a fairly early CD555 now on its second laser, plus soft ware upgrades some 18 months ago, I took the decision to add a second power supply. They are both DR, one upgraded and the other bought new. To put my head unit in the loft makes me cringe.

My CD collection is somewhat random which is no big deal for me. Knowing Naim I would expect the ND555 to give the 555 some very serious competition at least.

So  which MIGHT be better out of this combination? CD555 with one or two power supplies or ND555 with  one or two power supply options.

How far do you go?

 

 

Posted on: 13 May 2018 by Sounsfaber

Looking forward to CD555 replacing my much loved cds2, when it finally gives up the goat. 16 years old and still smashing out a layered soundstage that most still can’t complete with. ????

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by rsch
Bryce Curdy posted:
Polarbear posted:

The introduction of the ND 555 takes nothing away from the CD 555, it remains a first class CD player and will be desrired by anyone who has a large CD collection they want to keep using.

Agreed, but if you owned a CD555 and then purchased an ND555 because it sounded even better, where does that leave your CD555?  When would you listen to it?  Roon potentially replaces the sleeve notes.

For the sheer pleasure to listen and use different edition of a certain records you love. For a record collector this is inescapable.

This is a hobby after all. it's not only the ultimate SQ that matters

Regards

Roberto

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Innocent Bystander
rsch posted:

For the sheer pleasure to listen and use different edition of a certain records you love. For a record collector this is inescapable.

 

You can of course have and play as many versions as you wish with digital files, and if ultimate sound quality isn’t important tomyou then online streaming (as opposed to from your own collection) may give you access to many more versions.

Of course, for a record collector (as opposed to recording collector) you need records, and their sleeves that come with them are a fundamental part, ditto for a CD collector, though the sleeve notes are a poor second compared to LP, often barely readable. With the ND555 (or any other streaming solution)  you can, at least potentially, access sleeve images/notes on whatever screen you use, though the convenience and readability varies considerably. The problem is, (or rather was, as it is a while since I used it, though I don’t recall others saying it has changed), the Naim app it did not give access to sleeve notes held on my NAS (scans of LP or CD sleeves), other than showing the front cover image, instead using a third party online resource called Rovi, which did not provide the original sleeve notes, instead providing other info about the album and artist - and did not have all my albums in its database so was not much use. Some on this forum advocate Roon for its info, but when I tried it I found it also didn’t come up with original sleeve notes, at least not readily, and didn’t recognise everything, so not a substitute for the real thing.

Why on earth can’t streamer manufacturers like Naim provide a means of displaying saved images of sleeve notes etc from within the control app? Naim please note! (And apologies if this is an outdated complaint, with it now implemented effectively.)

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Dungassin
Innocent Bystander posted:
rsch posted:

For the sheer pleasure to listen and use different edition of a certain records you love. For a record collector this is inescapable.

 

Why on earth can’t streamer manufacturers like Naim provide a means of displaying saved images of sleeve notes etc from within the control app? Naim please note! (And apologies if this is an outdated complaint, with it now implemented effectively.)

You can just scan your CD notes etc, keep them on a NAS, and then view them using an app such as FileExplorer.  A little cumbersome, but it works.

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Innocent Bystander
Dungassin posted:
Innocent Bystander posted:

Why on earth can’t streamer manufacturers like Naim provide a means of displaying saved images of sleeve notes etc from within the control app? Naim please note! (And apologies if this is an outdated complaint, with it now implemented effectively.)

You can just scan your CD notes etc, keep them on a NAS, and then view them using an app such as FileExplorer.  A little cumbersome, but it works.

I know, and I do, but my gripe and challenge remain - album artwork should be immediately available and visible through any device used to sort and choose music, while choosing and while playing.(albeit a bit limiting if smaller than a tablet).

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Harry

People who own a CD555 own one of the best CD players in the world. Possibly the best. That won't change. You can only do so much with 16/44 material, and some engineers and producers have got miracles out of that format. I own some of them. 

There is no doubt in my ears, that given the inevitable variables (which are not unique to medium res or high res), the musical enjoyment to be had from material at greater than 16/44 is significant. This automatically promotes the ND555 in my little universe, but I prefer the presentation of the NDS to a CD555 in any case.

If CD playback is your drug of choice, I doubt it will ever get any better. Personally, I wouldn't buy HiFi with second hand future values in mind. It's nice to have something to trade in but it's the sound that counts. There are some luxury goods that might give a good return on the asking price. But that's a very risky place to invest money.

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by MDS
Harry posted:

If CD playback is your drug of choice, I doubt it will ever get any better. 

You might be right, Harry, but I'll be interested to hear the ND555 used as a Dac driven by my favoured CD transport. 

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Emre
MDS posted:
Harry posted:

If CD playback is your drug of choice, I doubt it will ever get any better. 

You might be right, Harry, but I'll be interested to hear the ND555 used as a Dac driven by my favoured CD transport. 

what is the favoured CD transport? 

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by MDS

CDX2.2/XP5XS

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Harry
MDS posted:
Harry posted:

If CD playback is your drug of choice, I doubt it will ever get any better. 

You might be right, Harry, but I'll be interested to hear the ND555 used as a Dac driven by my favoured CD transport. 

I didn't consider that. Good point. If rather expensive to implement.

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by rjstaines
Chag... posted:

I am wondering when Naim will issue a PSU switch device so I can alternatively connect my 555DR and go from CD to ND555 on the fly. ????

Chag -

About the same time as they will release a switch device for 180deg DIN inputs  so I can connect more than 6 analogue devices to my preamp.

At the moment I'm using a NAC N272 for this duty, and for similar digital inputs too.  OK, a bit limited but I have now been able to connect all my analogue & digital devices both 'modern' and 'ancient' in one way or the other to my 552  

Posted on: 14 May 2018 by Emre
MDS posted:

CDX2.2/XP5XS

Quite a piece for a transport, i own a cd2x without digital out