The benefits of being a dinosaur

Posted by: MDS on 15 September 2018

I’ve yet to be persuaded to switch my primary listening from CD to streaming. The prospect of all that ripping and the ethernet cables, switches, routers, software and apps stuff. Well, never say, never, but for the time being for my primary source I’m sticking with the simplicity and reliability of what I know: CD.  I admit it. I’m a dinosaur.  

I’ve been enjoying for some years a great performance from my four-box CD set up: CDX2.2/XP5XS/nDac/555PSDR. I even tried a Uniti/NDS/555PSDR against my set-up in the dealer’s one day and still preferred my CD set-up so I haven’t felt I’ve been slumming it. Nonetheless, I’ve been following the ND555 discussions with interest and watched as quite a few members have taken the plunge. Trade-ins to be had, mostly NDSs, it seems. And then recently while chatting to my dealer he mentioned that a pre-loved CD555 head unit was due to be traded-in.  Did I want to try it at home in my system? Well, I had never even seen a CD555 let alone heard one so on curiosity grounds alone I jumped at the chance. 

The CD555 head unit was installed earlier this week. I think it took me about 36 hours to decide it was staying.  Now I’m sure that the merits and sonic characteristics of the CD555 have been done to death on here so I’m not going to try to describe all that but if members who are all-too-familiar with the CD555 would indulge me I’d like to give a few impressions.

First were about the machine itself. This is not another familiar ‘black box’. What an impressive beast! Weightier and bigger than I had expected. And the engineering - wow!  The silence and grace as the lid rises and closes: just beautiful.  Even without listening to it, it was obvious that this is a top-end piece of kit. You can see and feel why the thing cost so much. I think I was half-sold before it was even powered up.

When switched on, right from cold the extra detail from the CD555 was immediately obvious. But it’s there is a more subtle way than I was expecting, not pushed at you, so perhaps a little more laid back than my current set-up.  Once it was properly warmed-up and I had gotten used to it I confirmed in my mind a characteristic that I hadn’t expected. All of my CD set-ups since the mid-eighties have had that digital ‘signature’, especially at the top end. The CD555 is the first I’ve heard where the top-end signature doesn’t feel so obviously ‘digital’. Coupled to this, the music seems to have a pleasing ‘bounce’ that I normally associate with top-flight vinyl (I’m familiar with what a top-flight LP12 can do). In other words I suppose I’m saying that I think the CD555 has something analogue about its nature. A surprise to my ears.

Anyway, here I am having secured a very nice up-lift in my system’s performance, a wonderful piece of engineering, and all for a very nice price. So this particular dinosaur currently has a big smile on his face. 

Posted on: 23 October 2018 by Mr Underhill

Mike,

I love what the single PS555 & CD555 have done to your system. I have NEVER heard a Naim system sound like it, it is superb, period. If the second PS555 had improved on scale and punch and left all else alone then I think it would have been a costly no brainer, that it compromised them makes me glad that you are sticking.

M

Posted on: 23 October 2018 by MDS
Mr Underhill posted:

Mike,

I love what the single PS555 & CD555 have done to your system. I have NEVER heard a Naim system sound like it, it is superb, period. If the second PS555 had improved on scale and punch and left all else alone then I think it would have been a costly no brainer, that it compromised them makes me glad that you are sticking.

M

Thank you, Mr U.

It was also great to catch-up again today.

Mike

Posted on: 25 October 2018 by Tabby cat
Mr Underhill posted:

Mike,

I love what the single PS555 & CD555 have done to your system. I have NEVER heard a Naim system sound like it, it is superb, period. If the second PS555 had improved on scale and punch and left all else alone then I think it would have been a costly no brainer, that it compromised them makes me glad that you are sticking.

M

Mike,

It's a win,win,win situation; system wise for now.You have saved a lot of money going back to 1 555 PS and done the comparison.With regard future Sopra 2's you must scratch the itch for a home demo.A mate sold his 1028 BE's for £ 1600 last year as they where a bit to big for his lounge and he has a home cinema install company so went 5.1 with panel speakers,which blend beautifully into the walls.So you would get a very good price for yours.

Are your 1028's decoupled from the floor on spikes etc ?

My Profil 77's  weren't decoupled from the floor and slightly rocked on touching them.The first couple of months.A mate gave me some plastic resin triangle blocks which worked magic with 4 under each cabinet.No more rocking made a huge lift in performance.They sit on a concrete floor with carpet.It was one of those audio moments when everything comes into focus more. Bass tightened up,imaging sharper.

System Nirvana and Pompey 4 points clear....City looking awesome the only way is up for our teams  

Cheers Ian.

 

Posted on: 25 October 2018 by MDS

Hi Ian.  Thanks for those thoughts. My 1028be are spiked through carpet and into the wooden floor boards beneath so are pretty solid with no trace of rocking. My dealer has installed and adjusted them a few times so I'm confident that they are optimal.

Re the Sopra 2s, I've liked them every time I've heard them in-store.  One of these days I'll look to try them at home. They are big beasts, though, so it's not like popping in and installing  a PSU!     

Yep, City continuing to look awesome. My lot leading the table but must confess they're not looking at comfortable as the league position would suggest.    

Mike