so perhaps Bert should try to left 33% of the capacity of the Melco left free, referring to DB post above?
You did ask - there may be better NAS and Switch configs than I have so other may be getting better results.
Many dislike the Melco presentation - from one perspective they should all sound the same but as they don’t and have a large influence on end-performance it gets put into the system chain.
I found it interesting - and initially frustrating as I wanted it not to matter - but it explained why I was not until then getting-on with Streaming as it had previously not been a consideration.
DB.
Yes. I did ask and I’m grateful to you for taking the time to reply.
Something to cogitate on for sure.
Essentially all I’m saying is that for some people (and perhaps not for others) the Data Server and Storage device and how the connection is made and mediated can be heard to make a significant impact in the sound and musical performance.
I also know and respect that some people have tried and either disliked or not though there was enough difference to go in the direction I went.
People in general want it made easy and for an expert to tell them what to do - I like opinions from such people to inform my understanding, but am also ready to check-out what it is really like.
The ND555 or other Servers sound great with a good NAS and competent installation, it is just possible to get a lot more IMO - I think that is good, but some people get upset if they get an opinion that they may not have things perfect.
It is all interesting and new for me - and you can get great results in a lot of different implementations.
DB.
I can hear differences in Ethernet cables. I have tried one network isolator and that made a big difference (negatively). Ditto Ethernet switches and their power supplies. I’ve never heard a difference between NAS make/model, processor, RAM or make/model of HDD. I haven’t heard a difference between Minimserver and Asset.
But I did hear a big difference when my HDX-SSD went back to the factory, which prompted me to bung Minimserver onto a NAS and run with this until the HDX came back. It turned out the HDX was a bottleneck and a big one. This has left me sceptical of propitiatory sealed boxes for music storage and serving. However, I haven’t heard a Melco. Something to look forward to in due course. Never say never.
I thought the Melco incorporated a switch of its own. Is that not correct?
it’s correct Michael
It has an integrated switch functionality in the sense of ‘Noisy’ Ethernet-in to the ‘Integrated NAS/Music Server’ Box and quiet ‘HiFi’ Ethernet-out to interface to your HiFi. So it is meant to increase noise-rejection from the house LAN.
So it becomes a two-port Network Switch that incorporates the NAS/Music Server in one box.
It allows one Ethernet connection from Music NAS direct to the ND555 rather than linking via a separate commercial switch, so halves on connectors required.
How much it all matter is up to demo results. I like the overall solution.
You can still talk to the Melco as an ordinary NAS too if you want - and Melco has USB-out on it for DAC users - not used by me but a nice option.
DB.
something new?
Thanks for checking in again, I am just back from a small holiday and haven’t checked again yet…
I already running my Nd555 3 month and one week,but still suffering from different changes in sound between days,one day the sound is great and the next day it’s agresive or harsh,hard to listen…is it still running?or anything else?
That happened with mine on and off until it finally settles after a few months. If it is having good days as well as the bad I’d say it will bottom-out soon and you will get even better performance, which is what I found. If bad all the time then that is wrong and should not be happening.
I find the run-in process can be awful with very revealing top-end stuff as it reveals the run-in artifacts even more glaringly. I find run-in goes in waves of good - bad - better - bad …etc. There seems to be an opening-up of the edge of new detail resolution that is preceded by a roughness or harshness of that detail that you have to let pass through to it being settled about a day or two later - then it happens again until it finally seems to bottom-out. The ND555 has a lot more detail retrieval and seems to take longer I found.
Having said all that there are particular things that are worth getting right to minimise the bad effects:
1. Play about with position on the Fraim glass shelf (if you use Fraim) and find a position where it ‘sings’ musically - it should become interesting and captivating to listen to. For me that is centered side-to-side and near the front-edge but not right at it and slightly not square to the front.
2. Make sure the cable-dressing from the ND555 is free from touching the floor, the wall, the fraim side or top or other cables - it has surprised me how much that cleans-up the performance with ND555 even more than it did with my CD555.
DB.
It takes I would say 600/700 hours to fully run in, however daily changes should settle soon…
Thanks,hopefully
Hello long lost sailor! Perhaps as with other collectibles, your NDS display has acquired a “patina.” We’ve been listening to vinyl for a few weeks now and I need to check out the new firmware (I think there’s new firmware) for the ND555. I’m hoping @Manu and/or your dealer can “hook” you up with a new display.
NB: My wife and I were driving around yesterday and I mentioned that i’d gotten an email from a vinyl reseller I use, and that I really am only re-acquiring vinyl for those really classic albums that “sound really great on vinyl.” She with the very good ears remarked that to her the vinyl doesn’t sound “better” than the lossless digital on the ND555. I agree with her; it’s more of “yes the vinyl sound great, but it’s more “different” than digital, not “better.”” Just an aside . . .
I also have 2 nas’es, but also a Roon Nucleus that nowadays serves from the files stored on one of the nas boxes. The other is purely a backup. (No storage in the Nuc; I have enough already.)
My dealer is running a Roon Nucleus and singing its praises. Another possibility to investigate.
I saw that you add a Melco as a sever,is it worth the extra money to match together with your Nd555, I thinking seriously one for myself or maybe adding a second 555ps is a better step
Not clear on system info what your current NAS is? I would think depending on the current music storage it would be Melco or a second 555ps.
Right now I’m using naim Nd 555 usb server and raspberrypi also as a second server,my music includes blues,jazz,classic rock and folk