So I figured I’d try out a second PS for th ND555. I wasn’t quite expecting such an improvement. I mean it should be better, of course, this is not an insignificant outlay, but what I am hearing is not good in that I am not sure I can go back to the single PS having now heard what the 2nd brings. Great that we can go even further with the ND555’s performance, but I was kind of hoping the difference would be slight and the extra outlay of marginal benefit.
For anybody wondering about this, a warning that a home demo could be dangerous!
When i had my ND555 i listened to a second ps, just to hear how far you could improve the sound. Although not night and day, its a nice improvement, sounding even more natural, especially piano based music. Do enjoy, its on my wish list.
Slightly off topic but that’s what I found with the 552… didn’t let it leave the house!
I have had a very similar experience in adding a second power supply to my CD555 a couple of years ago, both DR. Its a significant amount of money, but not massive as a percentage of the total cost of the whole system. How’s that for justifying the cost!
Have to agree, a worthwhile improvement and not one I would want to remove. Makes it easier to change to an ND555. I still like the physical ownership of CD and LP.
Douglas.
But blimey it’s really expensive
Hence the warning
As one of those broken in to the idea of splitting streamer and DAC functions, by virtue of running NDX through Naim DAC/555, I would be interested in what a pair of ND555s and two to four PS555s sound like, working together.
Strictly academic, of course. I have suggested this before with NDS, but nobody ever reported back with any test results, that I saw.
Nick
well they can be multi-roomed… so why not
Always more.
Douglas.
The second 555DR will only really prove itself after maybe 6 months. Like most of what Naim does you have to ‘Keep the faith’ , as eventually it shines. By then, of course, it’s almost impossible to remember what it was like before. What a hobby we have…
@Robbo, totally agree, and I’m running two 555 DR PSUs on my ND555 - sounds awesome and a definite step up SQ wise.
ATB. George.
Two supplies are well worth it in my system context - it was clear and obviously better in terms of openness, scale, clarity, micro-detail, timing, bass weight and rhythm …really everything IMO.
Put another way - with one supply it sounds fantastic - do not listen to two supplies as it is even better.
One tip - make sure the cables to the ND555 all hang free, including Ethernet cable (if that is what you use) and do not touch Fraim or anything else - my recent fine set-up to ensure this really surprised me at a massive improvement it made.
Two supplies open the window wider and it is more important to get the installation optimal to get all it has to offer.
DB.
This is exactly as I would summarize - even in context of passive system the difference to me is of the order that makes this a must have rather than a nice improvement. I have been in front of the system pretty much non stop this last 3 days, everything sounds more alive and open, and I can’t stop smiling Now listening to Thelonius Beck by Gov’t Mule - the synergy of this band!
Tryers beware!
So maybe look out for a ‘pre-loved’ one. Or even a second hand one that nobody has loved (they’re even cheaper).
I am also considering this upgrade, but I fear a used one can not be found.
A second 555PS-DR on my NDS was a huge improvement in both Hi Fi and musical terms. I didn’t know what to expect. I wasn’t expecting to hear such a compelling presentation. My ND555 had two PSs from day one. Source first.
After a week away I am back in front of the stereo, and exactly as I remembered. The additional PS is frankly (to these ears anyway) transformational. I can only deduce that the ND555 was designed with 2 PS’s, but happens to also be able to work with one? (My apologies to anyone this offends) For the first time in my naim 20+ years wondering how it can get much better…
And finally the trusty Rega P9 / DV XX2 is being surpassed…
Speak to LotusHifi near Surrey. He has them traded in for his super duper hi-end stuff. I got a used one 6 months old and saved about 1800.
Equally Nintronics in Welwyn took back my XPSDR for what I paid after a decent discount to start with, and let me walk out with a 555 for £3k. Not a huge saving, but still less than full whack. It’s always worth asking dealers what’s the best price they can do. Markup on this stuff is astonishing; there’s usually a bit of flexibility.