ND555 Impressions

Posted by: Bert Schurink on 26 July 2018

The Beast will arrive and will be installed tomorrow morning in my system. So I thought it was a good moment to open up a thread with the fist experiences, also giving others the possibility to share their first impressions with the beast.

I feeel a bit like a little child who has his birthday tomorrow. I assume that even while it will be nice weather during the weekend that I will be a spending a lot of hours with my system.

And as expected my car will not arrive before the ND555.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Richieroo

Bert are you using super lumina interconnects to 552????

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
Richieroo posted:

Bert are you using super lumina interconnects to 552????

Yes of course I do.....

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink

Next thought. The soundstage is so much improved that you are not listening to the music but you are part of the music you are the middle of the music. Soundimaging is much more forward. Or other people might call it more 3D. Makes you also better experience the difference between a live recording and a studio recording.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Consciousmess

Studio recording better??

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by BPhotographer

I hope that the new streamer is going to sound like a good CD player, not an improved version of the relatively dull NDS.
I find the NDS very monotonous, like a black box of which all music sounds "the same".
With a good CD Player, all music is much better defined and I get exactly what's going on on the disk, everything is much better: focus, highs, bass, 3D, etc.
The streamer has more "layers" and a seamless presentation but it's dull for a long time-listening (even a single full time [80min] CD).
The turntable and the CD player catch my attention, while I get disconnect from the music, many times, with the streamer (it's worse with classical music genre).

BP.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by fathings cat

Nice to see ND555 getting some feedback. For such a flagship release I thought the conversations post the roadshows were relatively “light”  

I’ll be interested to have a listen at my dealers but a little  too costly for me at the moment but never say never!

Gary

 

 

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
BPhotographer posted:

I hope that the new streamer is going to sound like a good CD player, not an improved version of the relatively dull NDS.
I find the NDS very monotonous, like a black box of which all music sounds "the same".
With a good CD Player, all music is much better defined and I get exactly what's going on on the disk, everything is much better: focus, highs, bass, 3D, etc.
The streamer has more "layers" and a seamless presentation but it's dull for a long time-listening (even a single full time [80min] CD).
The turntable and the CD player catch my attention, while I get disconnect from the music, many times, with the streamer (it's worse with classical music genre).

BP.

Just do yourself a favor and have a listen to the ND555 - you will realize that it’s far from dull and a very engaging player, but in addition it does do so much more detail which a CD player never could do. So win win.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink

Notified two small flaws which might not even ND555 related. When pausing the play will sometimes with a longer pause not resume or just resume for 5 seconds and then drop out. Perhaps it’s also related to the option stay connected in the app which is not on in my case.

The other one I just saw when posting that I had to restart the app on my iPad to see the bit depth reflected.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Richieroo

Early days Bert this will be sorted no doubt....enjoy!!!

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Dustysox

Wow o wow Bert..CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Its a real treat to read your thoughts and reflections on Naim’s first reference streamer product. It looks like they have not disappointed , they have a lot to live up to with comparisons to the mighty NDS which has been a terrific ambassador for Naim. 

PS..unaccustomed as I am to buying blind I have also ordered an ND555 four weeks ago. I am currently on holiday and with everything crossed I am hoping that I will be somewhere near the front of the queue on my return. 

I’m really enjoying this and over the coming weeks more good reports on Naim’s new Reference Streamer..well done to all @ Naim..top work people!!!!

In Naim I trust!!!!!

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Harry

It's going to be interesting to see how perceptions develop over the weekend.  Our NDS didn't seem to need a run it. I wonder if the ND555 will be more humpy?

Something that has been very striking with the NDS fronting 552/500  is how you can see into the stage depth. You can walk into it and as you approach it the 3D illusion seems very real.  If the ND555 takes this further, without over egging it, it's good news.  I think it may be more a trait of the 500 which the NDS and ND555 exploit, providing the information is in the recording.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
Harry posted:

It's going to be interesting to see how perceptions develop over the weekend.  Our NDS didn't seem to need a run it. I wonder if the ND555 will be more humpy?

Something that has been very striking with the NDS fronting 552/500  is how you can see into the stage depth. You can walk into it and as you approach it the 3D illusion seems very real.  If the ND555 takes this further, without over egging it, it's good news.  I think it may be more a trait of the 500 which the NDS and ND555 exploit, providing the information is in the recording.

It definitely takes the 3D aspect much further. But not over the top. Now I am listen to Brahms 2nd Symphony by Barenboim, and again the feeling of a relaxation comes accross with still giving you all the details you ever wanted. 

With regards to run in, I have the feeling that’s not such a big deal as with other components. Yesterday afternoon it became a bit edgy, but that was gone again in the evening. So let’s see if it further develops.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Dustysox

Exactly Harry, that’s my thoughts. 

I’ve waited along time for Naim’s reference streamer as when I brought into Naim they didn’t have a streamer available so I elected to stay with my Logitech Transporter which is a wonderful product. We had a very young baby back then and we decided to keep CD’s and vinyl hidden away from young inquisitive and sticky hands!!! 

The reference streamer could be my Naim journey end... that’s what I keep telling the wife!!!!

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
Dustysox posted:

Exactly Harry, that’s my thoughts. 

I’ve waited along time for Naim’s reference streamer as when I brought into Naim they didn’t have a streamer available so I elected to stay with my Logitech Transporter which is a wonderful product. We had a very young baby back then and we decided to keep CD’s and vinyl hidden away from young inquisitive and sticky hands!!! 

The reference streamer could be my Naim journey end... that’s what I keep telling the wife!!!!

Just take her to a listening session and things will be sealed....

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
Consciousmess posted:

Studio recording better??

Yes of course. Detail rendition, PRAT, authority, soundstage etc. while some aspects of soundstage even benefit more when listening to live recordings. For live recordings you just need to close your eyes.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Gazza
Bert Schurink posted:
Harry posted:

It's going to be interesting to see how perceptions develop over the weekend.  Our NDS didn't seem to need a run it. I wonder if the ND555 will be more humpy?

Something that has been very striking with the NDS fronting 552/500  is how you can see into the stage depth. You can walk into it and as you approach it the 3D illusion seems very real.  If the ND555 takes this further, without over egging it, it's good news.  I think it may be more a trait of the 500 which the NDS and ND555 exploit, providing the information is in the recording.

It definitely takes the 3D aspect much further. But not over the top. Now I am listen to Brahms 2nd Symphony by Barenboim, and again the feeling of a relaxation comes accross with still giving you all the details you ever wanted. 

With regards to run in, I have the feeling that’s not such a big deal as with other components. Yesterday afternoon it became a bit edgy, but that was gone again in the evening. So let’s see if it further develops.

I guess if you already had a 555ps which was already run in, then that’s probably the one that needed the running in. If you bought both from new then it would be a much longer settling in period.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Dustysox
Bert Schurink posted:
Dustysox posted:

Exactly Harry, that’s my thoughts. 

I’ve waited along time for Naim’s reference streamer as when I brought into Naim they didn’t have a streamer available so I elected to stay with my Logitech Transporter which is a wonderful product. We had a very young baby back then and we decided to keep CD’s and vinyl hidden away from young inquisitive and sticky hands!!! 

The reference streamer could be my Naim journey end... that’s what I keep telling the wife!!!!

Just take her to a listening session and things will be sealed....

Not needed Bert..I ordered one four weeks ago. That’s the beauty of Naim..black boxes come and go and quite easily get pass the Wife Police!!!

 

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by French Rooster
Bert Schurink posted:

Notified two small flaws which might not even ND555 related. When pausing the play will sometimes with a longer pause not resume or just resume for 5 seconds and then drop out. Perhaps it’s also related to the option stay connected in the app which is not on in my case.

The other one I just saw when posting that I had to restart the app on my iPad to see the bit depth reflected.

send it to me, i will see where is the problem .....  

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
French Rooster posted:
Bert Schurink posted:

Notified two small flaws which might not even ND555 related. When pausing the play will sometimes with a longer pause not resume or just resume for 5 seconds and then drop out. Perhaps it’s also related to the option stay connected in the app which is not on in my case.

The other one I just saw when posting that I had to restart the app on my iPad to see the bit depth reflected.

send it to me, i will see where is the problem .....  

I thought a split of a split second about and have to decline.....

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by TK421

Bert, excellent news on your ND555.

Have you listened to The Wheel by Sohn ?

I have played it regularly ever since you mentioned it in your Munich thread.

ATB,

Mike

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Bert Schurink
TK421 posted:

Bert, excellent news on your ND555.

Have you listened to The Wheel by Sohn ?

I have played it regularly ever since you mentioned it in your Munich thread.

ATB,

Mike

Yes that was one the first to check if I could imitate the show experience. It sounded marvelous while the machine was not warmed up yet.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by French Rooster
Bert Schurink posted:
French Rooster posted:
Bert Schurink posted:

Notified two small flaws which might not even ND555 related. When pausing the play will sometimes with a longer pause not resume or just resume for 5 seconds and then drop out. Perhaps it’s also related to the option stay connected in the app which is not on in my case.

The other one I just saw when posting that I had to restart the app on my iPad to see the bit depth reflected.

send it to me, i will see where is the problem .....  

I thought a split of a split second about and have to decline.....

the next time i will use Naim Specialist avatar.....   Finally it is certainly better not to taste the nd555 audio nirvana, because the return to the nds must be hard after.   

I will certainly have to wait one year to be able to buy it, but the waiting will be more cool if i don’t listen to the beast.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by Emre

How about tidal vs nas?

i am expecting same kind of sound performance in tidal this time

enjoy it Bert! ? will wait till i hear NDX2 then maybe if i go for nd555 i may use it with same pS555 of the cd player for a while, 6 month of cd 6 month of streaming

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by French Rooster

 i wonder if it is not better to upgrade the nds with an outboard dac than selling the nds to buy an nd555?    nds with dave digital out must be also a terrific combo.    I don’t know yet what i will do in the future.

With 10 k i can also upgrade my speakers and some cables and power cords.   Anyway it will be a more difficult  decision for me.   Is it a good thing to have a 25k source like the nd555 with 10 k pre, 9 k amp and 7 k speakers ?    It seems a little bit unbalanced.  i don’t know.

Posted on: 28 July 2018 by yeti42

Well my impressions will have to wait.

ND555 arrived this afternoon, installed with my 555ps, cables in place and dressed, power supply turned on and showing a glowing logo but nothing on the ND555. The unit was returned to the shop and connected to their ps and powered up OK so it’s my ps which is 10 years old and was a shop demo unit until I bought it 6 yeasr ago. It was last used with my CDX2 2 years ago. Looks like it will need DRing before I’d planned.

BUMMER.