I thought all ATC passives came with linking bars. Could be wrong — mine are active, but contacting ATC is a good idea. However, I’d also ask be talking to my dealer. Perhaps they can pop some basic jumpers in the post to get you up and running.
Just christened them with Radiohead and In Rainbows.
Just wow!
A month or so ago I rescued my old hi fi from the garage and that initiative has turned into something truly amazing.
I’ve been going through one of the most truly awful things that life can throw at us, but being able to listen to great music in all its beauty has been a great help.
I really appreciate all the advice on this forum, it’s a great resource. I think I’ve found my end game.
Just bought a perfect condition p/l 2019 555DR from a dealer with 12 months warranty and 2 x burndies and Powerline for a price I couldn’t refuse. Am I right in thinking the burndies don’t come as standard?
It’ll be interesting to compare with the XPS DR. If I don’t think the improvement is worthwhile I have the option to return the 555. I thought the XPS made a big difference in itself.
To my ears the XPS addition had the biggest “wow” factor, and this includes the most recent change of swapping the MA BR2 speakers for APC SCM11. All of the changes have had a significant impact but the 300 did take something away over the 150X. The system became more composed and detailed, but it lost a little excitement and drive. I’m hoping the 555 will inject some of that back.
I’m sure I’d miss the 300 if I swapped it back for the 150X, particularly the detail, but the 150X was great fun.
To my ears 555PSDR is to XPSDR what 300DR is to 250DR. I don’t hear more excitement and drive from the 555PSDR. It’s more on the path going from 250DR to 300DR IMO. It seems 252 is the same path compared to 282 so I assume the design philosophy at Naim is the higher you go the more composed, relaxed and natural the sound is and more demanding so to say by the user just like an expansive wine. If you think you get more and more of what you have on the cheaper Naim equipment by climbing the ladder then you will get disappointed.
That makes a lot of sense and fits with my experience. I’m sure if I swapped the 150X back for a few days I’d soon want the 300 back. I used to suffer listening fatigue at times with the 150X but not so on the 300. A favourite album is less enjoyable on the 300, but that’s the transparency showing up the poor quality production/recording which wasn’t evident before. I guess like with anything in life there’s always a trade off. I’ve read the 500 series sources and amps have the best of both worlds, but out of reach for me right now.
My personal favourite speakers with Naim, at sensible prices, are Dynaudio and Kudos.
However, I found the cables also made a big contribution to the sound.
I ended up using Witch Hat Phantoms.
Bigger upgrade than bare to XPSDR to my ears? Possibly, possibly not, tough call. Both great upgrades but the 555 takes things to another level again. The laid back presentation I’ve had since adding the 300 has been replaced by something rather more forward and involving. The bass is making my spine tingle, that’s the biggest improvement of all. OK I’ve only listened to a few tracks, but it’s a keeper.
Yes the bass is biggest difference from XPSDR together with sounding more “analogue” and real. It’s much more well defined/tight. The 555 grows in my setup hour by hour just like the 300DR did. Love it.