I approached this a bit simply - I use the Ethernet input on ND555 and then just played with all available settings to the ND555 via Naim App, once somebody else had mentioned there may be some differences in SQ.
So I just kept the Ethernet connected and off/on all the little green button lights on the App under settings menue without turning-off anything I needed until I was happy I got a better end-result than I began with the default settings. I did get a better result so that was a success - but it is a small worthwhile improvement and not massive, just a nice improvement to be had.
Some things like ‘Server Mode’ I did try off and it was clearer but less cohesive over time and I put it on and things sounded right again. I like to try things myself and trust my own hearing on this stuff so anyone that has an ‘all on/off’ approach without actually listening does not suit how I find the best results.
Easy to try - use music like pianio with lots of clean weaving note-structure that have transients and decay - plus in addition try some music with a good deep bass tune and note-shifts and it all becomes very obvious over a short time what is working best.
I was very skeptical (as ever). I can fully confirm that it works excellent with 52/135.
Why should it not?
Yesterday found a review in the web, where the tester used 52/PS/250 - he was stunned too
Modern naim streamers do work very well with older naim amps. Connected nd5xs2 nDAC to nait 2… very good.
Never had heared one, but think that nd555 will beat cds2. On the analogue side I did not found a match and preferred prefix over superline. But that is another story
NDAC / XPs was darker in presentation, and less detailed. Guitar strings had been by far not in nd555 range.
NDAC/555ps was a step up, but not as organic and transparent, fast and involving as nd555
There is still a good step up, but also sideways as the presentation is quite different