In the coming weeks I will have the opportunity to perform a thorough comparison between OC and NC PSUs in the context of 300 series system (on which they both work). Here are the boxes I will have at my disposal for a brief period:
3x 555PS DR + 1 set of burndies 555PS-> NC + 1 set of burndies 555PS to ND555
2x NPX300 + 2 sets of NC burndies
I have the following components I could try those on:
NSS333
ND555
NAC 332
I am obviously very curious whether the 555PS will outperform the new PS on any of the new classic boxes. Dual PSes are also possible in various configurations. Which configurations would you say are worth trying and comparing?
I have listened to NC setups with the NPX 300 but no direct comparisons to the 555PSDR. I have a longtime friend whose opinion I value that has done a direct comparison and he told me to keep my 555. So I will.
Ok I was maybe a bit optimistic about the timing of this comparison. I have just received 555PS number 2 but forgot that this one is fresh out of a full service at Naim. How long does the 555PS need after a full service to come on song?
Summer schedules and issues with rack space delayed this project quite a bit. I was likely a little optimistic about what I could realistically compare in the timeframe available. Here are some comments on the comparison I did manage to perform:
NAC332 + 555PS vs. NAC332 + NPX300
I will start by saying that the NAC 332, in my view, benefits immensely from the addition of a PS, and the uplift is immediately obvious in how the music flows and the engagement factor, it’s in a different league. Both the 555 and the 300 PSes achieve this uplift, but they present quite differently.
With the 555PS DR, the ease with which the music flows is quite pronounced, and I would characterize it as a more relaxed presentation overall. The low end is surprisingly thunderous, and results in the thickest, most substantial bass notes I have ever heard in my system. Detail retrieval is exceptional and overall the 332 becomes a very engaging listen in this configuration.
Switching to the NPX300, the first thing I notice is everything plays a tad louder. The organic flow is still there but things are not as relaxed, there’s more DR’ness, i.e. things sound more pratty with sharper leading edges. The bass is not as thick and substantial as with the 555PS and detail retrieval is not at the same level. But the soundstage is noticeably wider (not deeper).
Overall, a very tough choice. I love the bass heft and extra detail of the 555 but I also love how the 300 extends the soundstage at times beyond 180 degrees in my space. I am likely keeping both for more experimentation for now.
I performed these comparisons with the ND555+2 PSes as a source. The second PS on the ND555 made such an incredible difference, that I am reluctant to take it out and try any other configurations. The added tonal density, “meat on the bones”, HF air, soundstage width and depth (along with other improvements that are challenging to describe), have made it 100% clear to me that the 2 PSes are staying on the ND555.
Since you have multiple sources, I would start with the NPX300 on the 332. All your sources will benefit and the NVC TT will get a power supply upgrade.
I have not heard the NPX TT. The NPX 300 will be a bigger uplift overall I think. Other members have added the NPX TT after the NPX 300 and have found the addition worthwhile.
Thank you @gk_audio for taking the time to describe your findings. Very interesting and definitely sounds like more evaluation may be worthwhile.
Out of interest, what pre are you coming from and how might you describe the change from that to the 332 (I did check profile and thread and couldn’t see anything - apologies if it’s been stated elsewhere)?
I started with OC gear, SN3 that I then upgraded to 252/300. The 332 was a massive upgrade from the 252, which I was running into the 300DR for a while until I upgraded to the NAP350s, that were also in another league. I briefly tried my dealer’s loaner 552 during this journey as well, and I decided to go for the 332 with the NPX300 vs. the 552. Different presentations and I would not say one is better than the other. The 332/300’s superior volume control and enveloping soundstage did it for me.
Likewise. I found these attributes helped convince me to transfer from OC500 to NC300 a year ago. With OC s/h prices going down and NC prices going up I didn’t want to miss the affordability window either.