Thanks for your feedback.
The OC boxes have provided a great opportunity to experience the capabilities of pre/power combo without costing an arm and a leg. They have also given me confidence in the Naim pedigree and dispelled my skepticism regarding the benefits of adding extra power supplies.
As someone who has returned to to the world of hi-fi after a 20 year hiatus, these incremental steps and the forum have been both enlightening and helpful to my understanding.
I have a very similar system to you with the difference of an ND5 XS2 streamer which is the ‘target’ for my current saving for an upgrade. I agree with the comments above about looking at your source.
Having heard the bare NDX2 against my streamer I didn’t feel the improvement was worth it at the time, although prices have fallen significantly. I haven’t heard it with the 555PS.
I am looking to take two steps at once and in the summer intend to demo the NC 333, a 555 streamer if I can find one pre-loved and DACs (particularly higher Chord models) keeping the ND5 XS2. Apart from promising much fun (!) I will buy what I hear to be a significant improvement. If your location allows visits to dealers, I would think this would be a good place to start and would help narrow down your choices.
Having enquired with a couple of dealers on their ex dem 333 units, I’m torn with what to do as even with a trade in I’m looking at spending the best part of 4.5k for a 2023 model. Think my next step is to try and reach out to a local dealer who due to short opening hours I’ve so far been unable to see without taking days off from work.
I’ll keep you posted.
Many on here talk of a ‘source’ upgrade but I think you already have a pretty good system and a jump from where you are now to full NC is going to be expensive. I’d therefore recommend the full Fraim option as it will work for you now and when you do eventually upgrade. I can’t see what you are using at the moment but the Fraim needs to be seen as a ‘source’ component, as does a good radial supply. Together these will take your current system as far as it can probably go and give your future upgrades the best possible foundation!
Is doing nothing for another several years an option?
In my experience, building a balanced system where nothing is not living up to it’s potential or being a severe bottleneck is best achieved via big bang upgrades, not incremental box changes.
Racking and speaker cables might live across different systems so if I was intent on spending money, I’d start there.
Otherwise I would wait a few years and buy a new system all in one go. It’s stress free. Let’s you focus on music. And you can get everything right from whatever is available at that time (which might not be the same as what is available today). I’m a big fan of not touching a system for at least a decade or two and slowly tucking money away for a big splurge.
That’s something that many people tend to forget, yet it’s so important to get a system just right. Balance is always the key anytime.
Anyone suggesting big money upgrades without first highlighting the shortcomings of your NAC A5 should be ignored. It is excellent speaker cable, for half the cost of what Naim charges for it. But it is definitely the weakest element of your current system.
Andrew
I think this is a fair point and for the cost, I would do this first. However, we don’t know how the OP arrived with NAC A5 and if it was a great match with the amp / speaker combination, then they may be content. I definitely wouldn’t be going to SL speaker cable though. Lots of choices but suggest limiting up to about £60/m??
As per my initial post my original preference was to upgrade to either the full Fraim as I already own the base or upgrade the Nac A5 to Super Lumina. As you rightly mention these will persist through various upgrade cycles and are more than likely end game ancillaries in my case.
The Nac A5 was originally brought to work in partnership with my Supernait 3 and was solely based on the advice given by Naims tech support.
Apologies FeelingZen for missing one of your questions in my previous response,
Regarding the idea of saving up to purchase a complete new system all at once, many myself included would consider audio nirvana. However, the flip side of the coin is that it requires a very understanding partner who can come to terms with spending roughly 20k on a bunch of “black boxes”.
Full Fraim with your set up.
I would stick with current system.
Yes a 555PSDR will help your NDX as you know.
Going NC system isn’t necessarily better, it’s just different.
You can also improve the 282 by adding a Supercap DR. Another thing is go 300DR. Would be improvement on 250DR.
The OC system is more value for your money at the moment. The NC is dropping on used market, but still pricey.
A better system can be accomplished for less money by sticking with OC boxes.
What’s holding your system back is your source. An XPSDR will also make a big difference. Power supplies always improve Naim gear.
XPS DR for the NDX2. Unless you can afford the 555 PS. Source first.
After much consideration, following an in-store demo and a home demo. I’ve pulled the trigger on a new 333 streamer which will soon be winging its way to me accompanied by three Fraim shelves.
I would like to thank everyone who freely offered their advice, without which I would certainly have made a different decision.