Let the ridiculing begin!
Joking aside nice little set up, how do those speakers sound? They always fascinating me with their design.
Gary
I tend to disagree 
Nd555 and nds do sound different (Double 555ps) - with pros and cons on both … BUT - I have not tested them on 555‘s 3.8 fw. So you may be correct.
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I know that you prefer the NDS.
I did tests back to back and found the differences very small between the two. That was over a year ago with older firmware.
I tested for a few days and concluded there wasn’t much in it.
The DSM Klimax NG sound is more resolved overall than ND555 but lacks bass punch. The highs are better on Klimax and the overall sound is smoother, more silky.
Different presentation but both sound superb.
I am happy to keep the ND555 and am no longer searching for something better.
It’s a superb machine and with 2 x 555PSDR is formidable.
The Linn Klimax NG DSM however offers a one box streaming solution. And if streaming is your only source can be easily coupled with 2 x 350s for a perfect set up 3 box system.
Less boxes and less hassle in many ways. But I am heavily invested in a complete 500 DR series system. For me it is about system synergy.
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Guess what I did
And if 3.8 brings more organic character the difference between nds and nd555 will melt.
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Indeed when I did the test it was 3.8 firmware with ND555. I really couldn’t tell the difference between the two. There is a complete topic I did on this last year.
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I always thought the CD555 sounded better than the NDS, like a lot of other brands NDS had more detail for sure but the CD555 had pace rhythm and timing in spades, which I didn’t find with the NDS. For me its about fun and not critiquing whether you can hear a fart over a snare drum. Funny old game isn’t it.
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Should the comments above suggesting little difference between the 555 and nds save for the outrageous price differential, make the 555 a non-starter?
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This is a good and fair summary @Dan_M
I agree with what you say about a full 500 series vs Linn Klimax NG. Neither is necessarily better than the other, they are just different approaches and will suit different people based on preferences and also where they are on their system journey and level of investment in existing gear. I would be extremely happy with either option!
ps. great to see you feeling better and posting again. You’ve been missed!!
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Thank you @What_Are_You_To_Me.
I listened to Linn Klimax DSM NG with 552 DR/ 500DR at the dealers vs ND555 with one 555PSDR. Firmware was 3.10 version 2.
We didn’t listen to the Linn as a preamp as well.
Linn and Naim streamers have different presentation. Linn’s modular structure with Selekt is highly appealing to many here, including yourself.
Multi box systems like I have are going out of fashion with many having preference for one box and active speakers or streamer/pre in one box with power amp.
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I wouldn’t say the ND555 is a non starter. It depends if you can get a reasonably priced used example or not.
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Hi Dan, thanks for this good and succinct summary.
If I might just add something:- People on here may know that I chose the one box solution of the Klimax DSM in comparison with Naim ND555 and dCS Vivaldi and Rossini product’s, and the ‘one box’ aspect of the Linn was a good part of my choice.
However, (in my view) you have omitted to mention in your excellent summary the one feature that (to me) is the out and out winner to swing the choice in favour of the Linn - that of Linn Space Optimisation.
All the best,
E of E
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Thank you @Edmund-of-Essex. I have read some of your topic looking at space optimisation. I love your system pics.
For me a used ND555 was a natural choice with an all Naim system and a previous NDS owner.
If I was buying brand new and starting from scratch the Linn products have so much appeal.
I was contemplating selling up when firmware was for me broken. I was looking at complete new system.
But somehow I managed to stay put ! Haha!
I am currently very happy with my system. If I was to change it out something simpler with less boxes would be a consideration. The other thing is something not too heavy in weight.
Some of the monster integrated amps are difficult to move.
The Linn KlimaxNG DSM is a lovely bit of kit. How are you getting on with those power amps?
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I concur with Dan. I listened to the ND/Linn combination on the same dealers system and thought the Linn was much more resolved in the higher frequencies and looked a very pretty ‘reduced box’ system. The bass didn’t have quite the same bounce that the ND had but, as Dan says, if I were building a new system today I doubt I’d go down the Naim route again. I’d be interested to see what else is out there? Maybe the Grimm Mu2 coupled to Rega’s new power amp or go active with some ATC’s?
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Can you say a bit more about this please?
I tested both Linn Klimax DSM Organik and dCS Rossini (Non-APEX)
Here’s my findings:
- Linn Klimax DSM Organik - Resolving and “meaty” heavier sounding
- dCS Rossini - Very very resolving and lighter sounding, very sparkling (but not harshly bright for sure)
In the end after the listening and taking into consideration the gap of the 3 sources are all not really so far apart, I decided to keep my ND555 and don’t ever bother anymore. Because it really is plain good and simple and “enough” already. How much more revealing until it become all too strange and too un-natural to me. Plus I will lose much money just by changing DAC and “upgrading” which is just side move and preferences.
With the addition of the Scala which is a pretty revealing speaker, it is even more “enough” of a system that I don’t ever think I am lacking (even if I know there are better mono-DAC or etc.)
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Mine is. Like the NDS, bringing something out further up the range won’t make it sound bad.
They’ve had a Statement level streamer in the works for years. I wouldn’t mind a 500 (or higher) level integrated streamer/pre with a full range volume control and a standby function - if it sounded better than what is already available.
All the comparisons were done with old fw. With new fw it is simply different - more hifi authority vs more analoge warmth. Prat is with both but in a different way.
I had opened a thread on this „nds vs nd555 comparing“ - and as I knew myself, it must be in there multiple times 
I’m sure that’s true,; I was only commenting on the massive price upcharge for what you suggest isn’t a significant boost in sound quality. I briefly considered upgrading to a 555, but an Innuos server for considerably less money gave me access to Qobuz and a much superior user interface with Sense.
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And I am still not aware how you manage it - not working good in my system with zenith mk3.
Is the new fw in innous better. Have not updated as I was traumatized from nd555