I wouldn’t lose any sleep over the difference between the two. I’ve had both types of power supplies on my Ndac over time. The non-DR gives the sound a bit more ‘zing’ and upper frequency liveness but the DR version adds a naturalness and control the former doesn’t have. Both work their magic on different types of recordings. I’ve certainly no inclination to go back to a non-DR power supply.
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Would you please describe how these experiments were constructed - and if possible show photos of the equipment.
Do you have an NDS with one 555DR, a bare NDX2, and an ND555 all working in one system?
How many PSUs does your ND555 have on it?
Hi Simon
Have you ever compared an NDS to an ND555?
Listened to a NDS555 in a Naim demo with the Statement Pre/Power amplifier and big Focal speakers at the Dublin HiFi show ‘19. But they weren’t doing any comparisons, nor using Roon, just a UPnP stream from a UnitiCore.
Listened to a forum member’s ND555 with 2x555DR in a full 500 system with Roon, but didn’t know his NDS based system well enough to make a comparison.
There is a Dublin HiFi this October, where Naim are in the list of exhibitiors. However I imagine it will be new Classic range being shown, and probably still with a UPnP stream from a UnitiCore.
So no, no opportunity to listen to a NDS vs ND555 with the same power supplies, both as a Roon endpoint, as a back-to-back comparison in the same system and room.
Of course, happy to review a ND555 unit.
There was and is a very small secondhand market in Denmark so I have no idea about the nds. One thing that suggest you can enhance the nd555 is the second sc you can add ito it. I was adviced to put the best psu on my 555 because unlike the nds this would be worth it, so something in the analog section in the 555 must be better in this persons view.
When the ND555 first came out I attended a demo out my local dealer. We went though the gears ndx2, then with 5555ps then ND555.
No doubt the nd555 was good but extra performance v cost wasn’t there for me - put simply the cost jump between my NDS and the ND555 on an ever evolving technology isn’t to my liking .
Innuos server / Phoenix net gave me much more bang for buck than NDS to ND555……so that’s the path I went down.
Looking forward to Naim’s new streamer which is out soon and will evaluate then - be interesting to see how it sounds v my NDS, if it impacts on ND555 prices etc.
Gary
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It will be interesting with the 333 but it would also be strange if it is better than nd555.
On the other hand I hope that the 332 is better than my current 252 hopefully we will soon be able to hear the new 300 gear. Naim has posted about it several times on facebook so it would make sense that some dealers will soon be able to demo gear.
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If you ever get a chance to test an ND555 in your system versus the NDS do let us know.
BTW Just put a Silver mains cable on the Analogue (Socket2) power supply, moved the Silver-plated Copper one to the 555DR for Socket1 (replacing a Copper one) and another Silver cable on my Amp.
Initially just better, then bosh more of everything - sound stage width & depth, better transient response & bass, sweeter in the treble.
Silver cables are Harmonic Technology Reference Mains (the original Reference not the Reference II with the active filter module). They were $1800 cables in their day, reviewed back in 2005 by positive-feedback. As US cables, I had to reterminate them, but did so with Furutech UK plugs to match the IEC. Bit of a job, as very stiff construction, with twin conductors for Live/Neutral, shielded and with Teflon insulation.
The Silver-plated cable, now on the 555DR, is a Furutech FP-3TS20 Power Cable, with Furutech Mains and IEC plugs.
The outgoing Copper are Harmonic Technology AC-11, also terminated with Furutech plugs. These were originally bought in the ‘00’s when it was Vinyl and CD playback, and pre-Naim for me.
Don’t worry, I will.
Full indepth review and report, if I get the chance.
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Correct
Old setup:
NDX2 ->(DC1)-> Mutec reclocker+clock ->(DC1) → NDS /555PS
New setup:
ND555/555PS
I had NDS which I upgraded to the ND555…both used with single 555dr. The NDS sounded great the ND555…gave more detail and depth… However, the NDS equited itself very well it had a richness and earthy quality. I would wager…that 2 x 555dr supplies…would give the NDS extremly good performance… .better than the ND555 with one supply…
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Some of the richness and earthy quality is lost and traded against more detail when adding NDX2 as a streamer only to NDS. Some may prefer it and some might not. I had a similar result adding Lumin U1 mini as a streamer onto my former 272.
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I mainly playback from local files, via Roon, bridged into the NDS.
The same solution also allows Roon to manage internet streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz and stream them as a ‘local’ UPnP stream. Also with the advantage of MQA support for Tidal Masters or ‘Max’ format (MQA or HiRes), Lossless internet Radio.
Plus a better user interface.
I believe this is a more cost effective route that the purchase of a NDX2, just to use the streamer board element from this component.
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Looks like you have a great system…the CHC psu’s are particularly good…
I have heard an ND555 dropped into my system in place of my NDS. It was instantly obvious it was was better but just too expensive. So the NDS stayed as we just couldn’t justify that much money after the Sonore Bridge gave us the missing functionality of Roon.
Keith
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