I understand you preferred the alternatives in source components. I too have owned Audio Note DACs and currently own the SW1x DAC as source components instead of a Naim source. But I won’t say Naim needs to catch up to these DACs. That kind of statement reads like Naim is lagging far behind in their tech which I don’t believe is the case at all.
I would encourage the OP to go out and listen and make a judgement based on their own likes/dislikes. But the I idea that Naim needs to “catch up” is ludicrous. If fact I’d say that Naim’s engineering is by-far state of the art. Large outboard power supplies, heavy brass/suspended circuit board, faraday cage, 13 DR regulators… all contribute to great sound.
Here’s some light reading for anyone interested: https://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/ND%20555%20White%20Paper%20Final_0.pdf
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I am sorry but naim does need to catch up, its obvious once you get a few top dacs/streamers on a good system and compare them.
Its not that the nd555 sounds bad, it just can’t deliver what others can these days, it sounds closed in against some and where you could always say it has prat, well guess what so do most others these days.
I am sure naim will up its game very soon, it has too really as others are pulling even further away and even much cheaper stuff is on its heels these days.
The burr brown chips that naim has fell back on for years are all but gone, so for certain the next generation will sound different and good for it, as i look forward to what they come up with, but for me i feel the apex upgrade is my way forward and that’s ment to be a very nice upgrade and puts the rossini in the same ball park as a non apex vivaldi.
The nd555 was really a reworked nds, the next will be a new design and as said will be interesting what they do.
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Excellent thank you as you clearly have the inside track.
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If the engineering is state of the art, as you suggest, then it is not translating into sound quality. This was my emphatic conclusion based on extensive listening tests. This is the area where I meant they were lagging behind. Apologies for any confusion.
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Absolutely Andy, spot on.
From 3 years ago (3 years? Really? Oh my goodness!):
Trying a few streamers
Best regards, BF
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So I’m getting the impression that the ND555 is not revered around here.
I will however give it a good audition before I make my mind up.
Not true, your thread just woke up the opposition
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Not true……i have tried the other stuff, they did not make me want to listen every day for hours on end. You have to listen for yourself, i don’t care what people buy, some seem to feel that they need to justify their purchases over and over?
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It’s the best streamer Naim currently make and it is a superbly engineered player - the white paper that @ChrisBell posted shows the attention to detail that has gone into this design. It may use ‘older’ DAC technology, but Naim certainly have the experience to get the best performance out of these devices.
As others have said, have a listen to the opposition and then make up your own mind as to how good you think the ND555 is. That’s all that matters.
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One may or may not like a particular way of presenting music, and tastes are not debatable; everyone has their own.
But tastes are only tastes… they do not indicate anything relevant about a product’s quality or technological level.
Unfortunately, some people believe their taste and/or opinion has an objective value, or even a technical validity.
Only one expression comes to mind :
Sutor, ne ultra crepidam
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As others have said, you really must listen. Before splashing out on an Innuos Statement and PhoenixNet net for my ND555 + 2Ps I had a good listen to the “more advanced” Chord offerings and was astonished at how far behind they were in terms of what I look for from a source component. I had been left just as unimpressed by the top-of-the-line Linn. Not tried the DCS. But I’d say just listen for yourself. The “latest generation DAC” lovers love to refer to the tech when explaining their affection for their chosen products, but I’m yet to find anything to match the timing, dynamism, cohesion and textural detail of the ND555. I’ve not heard the DCS though, as I’ve said, but the other stuff does not in my mind even come close.
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As i said in my first post go try a few and see how you get on, its the only way really.
As nd555 owners will say there’s the best, dcs owners the same, dave etc, etc.
But lots of great ones to try as the market has never been better for such a device, so go and explore, its much better than buying blind
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My Dave HMS with Wave Storm cables is the best 
Each to their own.
Your on a naim forum, right, so thats never going to be said.
Plus the nd555 is a great product still and the best naim has to offer right now.
But being serious for a second, if you are looking at spending ND555/555 money then, or even more maybe? Then surely you want to listen to it first and try others around that price point, as wouldn’t you?
Just buying anything blind is plain stupid at this level
The ND555 is a phenomenal music maker with either 1 or 2 external power supplies.
As many others have said, it’s a superb piece of kit but it’s still worth auditioning against the competition to find out which flavour of wonderful suits you best.
Best regards, BF
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Just changed from an ndx2 to an nd555 the difference is quite a bit… it all sounds better… every aspect of the music has jumped up a level and definitely sounds like live music…
Amazing piece of kit
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How much difference do you get adding another 555 PS ?
Reluctant to do this lol cos 6 boxes is nice and neat… 7 well, that’ll just look a bit odd on the rack 
If you don’t want to have 7 boxes, I strongly recommend not to try a second 555PS.
Depending on what you are looking for, or what you like, adding a second power supply can make a massive difference.
I no longer have the ND555. But I did own a full 500DR series system (7 boxes) and the complete set of Super Lumina cables.
Here is my very subjective opinion regarding the addition of a second power supply :
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