ND555 at Olive System

I was saying the contrary, sorry, maybe my post was not clear. The bridge mode is engaging, the direct mode not. For my ears.

On my Melco it was the option to turn-off the file-sharing to the main network that was suppoesed to improve SQ - and it did the opposite and really slogged the performance and removed all fine-detail and joy from the performance, so I kept mine turned-on.

It is worth trying all options on/off one by one and listening without assuming anything, as if I’d heard mine in the ‘best mode’ only I would not have thought much of the Melco and possibly not purchased mine.

All other optimised settings I found worked well but just one did not improve things for me.
Similarly the direct from switch to both Melco and ND555 was too sterile for me and I though it lost low-level fine detail in my system without giving me any real improvements.

DB.

Found the file sharing option - but without it, there is no way of access to Mac. So I kept mine on!

Strange new Drago Impression.
As strange as I am I always preferred CD over hi-res quality - with Melco the difference is even more prominent. A bit different, as there is more weight with HR, but less room and details to my ears. Maybe there are no more details, but it is more soft and analogue.
I know - strange.


I’m trying to puzzle out if we are configured differently (obviously there will be some differences in equipment). Attached is diagram of my set up. Cable from the switch into the LAN connection of the MELCO then cable direct from player port to NDS using UPNP. Is this how others are set up? I can see that it would be possible to configure differently with the Melco acting more as a LAN attached device using switches etc.

If I wish to use Qobuz, being an NDS, I have no option but to use Bubbleupnp or similar which means the melco has to be in bridged mode. Others with ND555’s would not need to do this. While in bridged mode files sent from the Melco are only slightly better (more detail mainly) than Qobuz. However when I switch to direct mode which effectively removes the connection to the outside world there is a marked improvement in just about every aspect of the music streamed from the Melco. All comments are “my system, my room” but they seem at odds to others here?

I will try a second time the direct mode. We never know. It will take me 5 mn to compare, so nothing to loose.
When I had the Etheregen switch, then with added ps, then the PhoenixNet the first months, the Nds in player port sounded each time better.
Hopefully I tried once again when the PhoenixNet was fully burn in , and discovered that this time all connected to the PN switch gave better results.

1 Like

I tried yesterday the direct mode vs bridge. I was surprised to discover now that the direct mode is not sounding dull at all. Maybe because I don’t use the player port anymore? I don’t know.
Each time I had to go from one mode to another, I had to restart the streamer and install the app again. If not it didn’t work.
I didn’t noticed huge differences, but very very tiny ones. I think I prefer a little bit the bridge mode.

2 Likes

Switching from bridged to isolated mode will always need the NDS to be restarted as the Melco assigns it a new localised IP address (as it is disconnected from the rest of your network). To get the full advantage of this I think you need your NDS to be plugged into the player port

Both Melco and Nds are connected to the PhoenixNet switch. It sounds the best.
Maybe @drago could try the direct mode. It’s perhaps even more dynamic but less refined to me. But very tiny difference.

I have tried it - liked the connection to PN more.

I was not talking about that. On the Melco screen, you go in set up then network then port player : you have the choice of direct mode vs bridge mode.

Bridged sounds better to my ears

1 Like

@frenchrooster, I think I understand now how your system is configured. If you are not connecting directly from the Melco “player” port to the NDS/ND555 then there is no advantage with using “Isolated” mode.

1 Like

Long silence from Drago :slight_smile:

Had some time with the melco…
So the story goes:

Let it run 24/7 for 10 days and really get used to it.
Melco sounding:

  • cleaner
  • more airy
  • more detailed (guitar strings are excellent) - there a sounds I have never heared before
  • a bit more bright sounding

Added powerline this weekend.
This gave a push in energy …

One impression that I could not get rid of, is that it sounded a bit too clean - a tiny sterile in my system.

So, after a long hear in (and much d100 ripping - which are better than hdx rips) I switched back to HDX.

… please stop Reading, if keep Drago in mind as a sane person :wink:

With HDX on front sound is:

  • less detailed - the resolution is not in melco league
  • less separated but more together
  • a bit rough and edgy - even „dirty“ sometimes
  • room is deeper than with melco
  • sound is darker - earthy like.

When hearing a few songs with hdx it came back instantly…
Foot tapping … and the impression that there it is … the sweetspot (the PN brought).

All is a bit rough and edgy and also smooth with other songs and earthy as is my prefix phone stage.
But … I love it.
A bit like the nait 1 and 2 effect on a much higher level.

With a bit of sorrow I returned the melco today.
Please do not misunderstand! The melco is wonderful - also is it so well done. I totally fell in love with the tiny boxes. It shows with easiness, that music from a server is another Level, than streaming.

But for me, my warm running HDX is the better choice for my old ears and my 90s hearing manners.
Will the nd555 is not giving everything he could - definitely yes. There is more he can do, but? Who cares :grinning:

Thanks for reading and bringing the PN to me :heart_eyes:

7 Likes

Just another example where better hifi is not always more musical to our ears. I understand your choice.
My ears prefer the Melco I have vs the Unitserve / linear ps I had. But our systems are different.

1 Like

And all is a compromise…
Would I prefer an earthy rough melco… yeah.
Would I like more details in hdx and a tiny bit more hf sparkle, yes…

But in my system the PN brought all straight up (and bass is there, yeah). Melco brought it up but also sideways…

With similar decision I sold superline and kept prefix!

2 Likes

@drago was it the latest version N10 with the 5TB HDD?

1 Like

Yes - exactly that version.
While writing lambchop on nd555 … perfect smooth and with so much in it.

1 Like

That’s a great review, Drago.

Would you please remind me what components are in your main system now?

1 Like

Thanks - you are welcome.

Phoenix net - > AQ vodka to nd555
HDX → AQ cinnamon to PN
52/SC/135 naca5 into SBL
All on Fraim - except hdx on quadraspire
Powerline on 555ps and PN

:o)

@anon77199223 you should give PN a try, but it can be a bit too dark than. Nd5xs2 was a bit darker than nd555

2 Likes

Clearly you need a 555PS on your HDX :woozy_face:

2 Likes