ND555 Roadshows

Thanks for the heads up - for those like me who don't do Facebook it's best to Google Facebook Naim Events as it doesn't show up when you just get the home page.

Nothing in the South West of England yet...

I was told it was by invitation only, and did receive an invitation by email from my dealer? Might explain the lack of information on this, very curious.

you can just click on the event to say you are going - might be in trouble if I need an invitation and show up without one 

Yeah, I’ve seen a few notifications on FaceBook about these... Grahams Hi Fi are suggesting the ND555 arrival is imminent:

”The ND555 is the first of the new range of network players that will be released this year.  It will be available in June and will cost £13,000.”

Not sure what available means... other sources suggest this date is wrong.

Signals has sent out invitations

I've accepted...

Pev posted:

Thanks for the heads up - for those like me who don't do Facebook it's best to Google Facebook Naim Events as it doesn't show up when you just get the home page.

Nothing in the South West of England yet...

Nothing new there then. 

FYI - There's a related thread in 'Hi-Fi Corner'.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...nd555-roadshow-event

John.

Dates now announced:

https://www.naimaudio.com/even...&utm_term=Events

Have booked for Friday afternoon session at Graham Hifi.They will be comparing the Nds against ND555 with 552/500.

I will be very interested to see everybodies reports on what you experienced. How you compare the NDS versus the ND555, hope to do the comparison as well soon...., and of course get my own ND555

Bert Schurink posted:

I will be very interested to see everybodies reports on what you experienced. How you compare the NDS versus the ND555, hope to do the comparison as well soon...., and of course get my own ND555

As they are having demos at dealers now,I”m sure you’ll get yours very soon,then you can compare the ND555 in a home environment and you’ll be in a better position to report how good is the ND555.

hope to get to the [@mention:1566878603906177] one in August

antony d posted:

hope to get to the [@mention:1566878603906177] one in August

It will be an interesting evening for sure

KR,

Peter

Visited Graham’s yesterday for the NDS vs ND555 demo, hosted superbly by Jason from Naim.

System comprised of a 552/500 with NDS/555DR / ND555/555DR playing into a large pair of B&W’s (didn’t note model).

I wasn’t sure what to expect really, as I am very happy with my current NDS/555DR setup and wondered in what way it could be improved upon, but... WOW, this is definitely a significant step-up in performance. The difference was not subtle.

As expected, various tracks/styles were played (sourced via NAS) initially on NDS, then switched for a replay via the ND555. All I can say is that for me the ND555 sounds more together/focused, with better timing. My very initial impression was on just how ‘analogue’ it sounded, and I can say that I noticed my foot tapping along to the music throughout the ND555 demo.

Following Jason’s demo, I was fortunate to be left alone in the demo room having full control of the iPad and volume ????. I spent a good half an hour listening to a mix of some of my favourite tracks/artists and got completely lost in the music.

Without question, a superb afternoon in N.London. 

Thankyou for the update, as I have a demo next week, something special to look forward to.

adm95 posted:

Visited Graham’s yesterday for the NDS vs ND555 demo, hosted superbly by Jason from Naim.

System comprised of a 552/500 with NDS/555DR / ND555/555DR playing into a large pair of B&W’s (didn’t note model).

I wasn’t sure what to expect really, as I am very happy with my current NDS/555DR setup and wondered in what way it could be improved upon, but... WOW, this is definitely a significant step-up in performance. The difference was not subtle.

As expected, various tracks/styles were played (sourced via NAS) initially on NDS, then switched for a replay via the ND555. All I can say is that for me the ND555 sounds more together/focused, with better timing. My very initial impression was on just how ‘analogue’ it sounded, and I can say that I noticed my foot tapping along to the music throughout the ND555 demo.

Following Jason’s demo, I was fortunate to be left alone in the demo room having full control of the iPad and volume ????. I spent a good half an hour listening to a mix of some of my favourite tracks/artists and got completely lost in the music.

Without question, a superb afternoon in N.London. 

 

I fully agree with you that theND555 is a great improvement over the NDS but for me I have to compare it with the CD555 (a bit difficult because dealers don’t have this player in store anymore) and if there is big improvement I might make the switch. By the way,that speakers are B&W 800 D3.

it’s nice to meet forum member even though it’s only a short moment.Glad you enjoy the remainder of the time listening to your favourite tunes.Put in an order yet.

Will the ND 555 (and the NDX 2, ND5 XS2) actually be able to replay from locally connected USB drives or will they be pure streamers only?

ayap1 posted:

adm95 posted:

Visited Graham’s yesterday for the NDS vs ND555 demo, hosted superbly by Jason from Naim.

System comprised of a 552/500 with NDS/555DR / ND555/555DR playing into a large pair of B&W’s (didn’t note model).

I wasn’t sure what to expect really, as I am very happy with my current NDS/555DR setup and wondered in what way it could be improved upon, but... WOW, this is definitely a significant step-up in performance. The difference was not subtle.

As expected, various tracks/styles were played (sourced via NAS) initially on NDS, then switched for a replay via the ND555. All I can say is that for me the ND555 sounds more together/focused, with better timing. My very initial impression was on just how ‘analogue’ it sounded, and I can say that I noticed my foot tapping along to the music throughout the ND555 demo.

Following Jason’s demo, I was fortunate to be left alone in the demo room having full control of the iPad and volume ????. I spent a good half an hour listening to a mix of some of my favourite tracks/artists and got completely lost in the music.

Without question, a superb afternoon in N.London. 

 

I fully agree with you that theND555 is a great improvement over the NDS but for me I have to compare it with the CD555 (a bit difficult because dealers don’t have this player in store anymore) and if there is big improvement I might make the switch. By the way,that speakers are B&W 800 D3.

it’s nice to meet forum member even though it’s only a short moment.Glad you enjoy the remainder of the time listening to your favourite tunes.Put in an order yet.

I made the switch (CD555 to NDS) almost 4 years ago. At that time I judged that NDS was different, but not necessarily inferior to CD555 on 16 bit material, and that availability of 24bit, together with a huge increase in convenience and accessibility of the music made it a ‘win win’ change. I think that the recent firmware change for NDS has reinforced that, so I am hearing the 16 bit material better than ever, and maybe better than CD555, but it is now irrelevant for me to compare those two. The only comparison now is ND555 v NDS.

Thanks for the review. Sounds like big fun ahead.

Has Martin been sent a burnt in demo yet? I can't wait to read his review in HifiCritic.

Chag -

Booked in for my dem of the ND555 on 7th July at Naim Open day at Billy Vee in Lewisham, hosted by Jason Gould and Dan Raggett from Naim.  Dem will be on 500 system with B&W 803 D3 speakers (same as my system) and compared with NDS.  Have also asked to hear the ND555 with both one and two 555 PSUs.

Would be great to say hello to any other forum members there.  Anyone planning on attending the event?

ATB.  G

A brief post to thank Alastair and Andy for hosting such a super comparison of the ND555 and NDS streamers this evening.  Thanks too to Doug and his colleague from Naim for hauling all that kit around the country, unpacking, demonstrating and re-packing it.

The system consisted of a Uniti Core, ND555/555PS, NDS/555PS, 552, 500 and Focal Maestro Utopia Evo speakers in metallic forest green (as far as I could tell), all connected up with Naim superlumina wires.  While the overall character of the system was dominated by the speakers and their interaction with the room, the demonstration was very effective at highlighting the comparative strengths of the two Naim streamers.  Doug naturally selected music that would test the two streamers and the folk piece was superb at revealing the additional capabilities of the ND555. 

I find most streaming systems tend to sound a bit relentless and fatiguing in comparison with our CDS3, which is why we have not yet made the switch.  The NDS shared this slightly fatiguing characteristic today.  However, the same track played through the ND555 enabled my ears to just relax and let the music in.  It's a funny thing to say but that is how it feels.  The background noise level drops, enabling subtle cues about the texture of notes to come out and reveal themselves to the listener.  Bass lines time better too, with more dynamic, punchy bass yet with less boom.  Instead of the singers striking a slightly discordant, competing note during harmonies, they sounded more practiced, together and complementary.  Groovy music grooved better, boogie music boogied more and was more enjoyable, natural and involving.

So whether considering bass, midrange or treble quality, rhythm, timing, involvement, spacial imaging or simply how natural the music sounds, whichever assessment criteria you use, the ND555 was a solid step up from the NDS in the demonstration this evening.

Gulp...

Best regards, FT

Thank you for posting that. Much appreciated.

Foot tapper posted:

A brief post to thank Alastair and Andy for hosting such a super comparison of the ND555 and NDS streamers this evening.  Thanks too to Doug and his colleague from Naim for hauling all that kit around the country, unpacking, demonstrating and re-packing it.

The system consisted of a Uniti Core, ND555/555PS, NDS/555PS, 552, 500 and Focal Maestro Utopia Evo speakers in metallic forest green (as far as I could tell), all connected up with Naim superlumina wires.  While the overall character of the system was dominated by the speakers and their interaction with the room, the demonstration was very effective at highlighting the comparative strengths of the two Naim streamers.  Doug naturally selected music that would test the two streamers and the folk piece was superb at revealing the additional capabilities of the ND555. 

I find most streaming systems tend to sound a bit relentless and fatiguing in comparison with our CDS3, which is why we have not yet made the switch.  The NDS shared this slightly fatiguing characteristic today.  However, the same track played through the ND555 enabled my ears to just relax and let the music in.  It's a funny thing to say but that is how it feels.  The background noise level drops, enabling subtle cues about the texture of notes to come out and reveal themselves to the listener.  Bass lines time better too, with more dynamic, punchy bass yet with less boom.  Instead of the singers striking a slightly discordant, competing note during harmonies, they sounded more practiced, together and complementary.  Groovy music grooved better, boogie music boogied more and was more enjoyable, natural and involving.

So whether considering bass, midrange or treble quality, rhythm, timing, involvement, spacial imaging or simply how natural the music sounds, whichever assessment criteria you use, the ND555 was a solid step up from the NDS in the demonstration this evening.

Gulp...

Best regards, FT

LA, LA, LA, LA….can't hear you!!

Seriously, nice write up FT. Does this mean you now might consider streaming? 

I too was at Signals and would also compliment Alistair and Andy and the Naim guys, thought it was amazing that 50 people would be attending. 

This is the second time I have heard the ND555, both with Focal speakers, neither of which are my cup of tea. There is a definite step up in performance from NDS to ND555. But the only time I got a sense of WOW was when a known track was put on from Pink Floyd, where I could hear aspects of the recording that I had not heard before. Only to find out it was a high res file, probably a different mix as well. I have heard Linn systems sound pretty poor until they reviewed a high res file, so this kind of mutes my enthusiasm a little. It should sound great in a £100 k system with £45k speakers and high res music.

In conclusion, I don,t think many with a Chord dac are going to rejoin the Naim digital cause. For me the ND555 is really good but was too close to the NDS for my money. I will wait for the NDX2 to see how it compares, and then make a decision.