I just acquired a used NDS from 2016 and 555PS from 2006. It’s plugged into a Rega Osiris, and is replacing a Rega Saturn-R that I’ve had for 10 years. Same Bluesound Node 2i streamer as I stream Qobuz.
The sound is more alive and clear without being harsh. I am surprised just how more present all types of music sound.
TWO QUESTIONS:
Given that I’m happy with how they sound, is it worth doing a recap on the power supply?
Any recommendations for a CD transport that I could use as a source to the NDS?
If the 555PS has never been serviced then it’s now due as it’s over 15 years old. You could be very pleasantly surprised and the results should be very worthwhile.
As for adding a CD transport, I tested around 20 different CD players and transports into the Naim DAC some years back and in the end found the best performance came from an old Meridian 206, so, for not a great deal of money, well worth considering, along with the 500 successor. They are beautifully built, perform superbly, and also use the RC5 remote protocol, which means they can be controlled by a Naim RC handset, which is nice. Only issue is if the mech fails (but that applies to just about all CD players these days…), however the 200 series used the higher specced versions of the Philips CDM4 and they can go on for years if they’re still running well now.
You’ll need a decent coaxial s/pdif cable. I use an RCA - BNC Naim DC1 to connect the Meridian to the Naim DAC.
As I was last year when I had my 2007 non DR model done at Class A. I was in two minds at first as it all sounded so wonderful when I first tried it. Worth every penny of £450. I never regretted it.
I too am considering a CD transport but I’m going for nostalgia over ultimate SQ and considering a serviced TEAC VRDS T1. If I go for one, it won’t get a huge amount of use but it will look damn good
Non DR 555PS I think are quite rare now as many have been converted to DR I suggest… but for certain components like the NDAC the non DR 555PS excel, but not necessarily with the NDS… which was launched at around the same time as the arrival of the new Naim discrete regulators, and in my opinion sounds better with the DR555PS.
However we are talking relative subtleties and as said above if the 555PS has not been serviced for a long time it’s definitely worth getting that done, where the aging electrolytic reservoir capacitors are replaced. That will be more obvious.
As far as CD transports, as CD is becoming more popular again more products and new CD mechanism types are appearing again. If buying a CD transport unless you can get very cheaply or the old product CDMs are still available, many aren’t, I would consider a new CD transport with a new CDM… technology has moved on.
Thanks for the recommendation to recap the PS. I’ve been told that DR upgrades no longer are available, and I knew that before my purchase. So, I’ll definitely recap the PS. Is it necessary to recap the NDS as well?… none of this is cheap … and I’m already very happy with the sound quality as is.
They made to big ground planes in the printed circuit board making it hard to remove the components without risking causing damage to the board. Non repairable design. I’m guessing ND555 will face the same issues but we’ll see.
I love the sound of my NDS: so analogical, present and detailed, never harsh. I hope it will last long. I honestly am very happy on how it reads files on hard disk, plays TIDAL and radio. In time I will get a better psu.
