Upgrades - have I reached the end?

As you will all know, it’s difficult to read this forum without thinking of the ‘U’ word from time to time. As much as I enjoy the music, I’ve really enjoyed the buzz of upgrading in the past.

I went through a fairly rapid (manic?) upgrade path over a few years, and every change sounded like VFM to my ears. I can’t think of a single one that disappointed. Some of the systems I’ve had:

N272+150x+ATM STC11
+XPSDR
+555DR
+300
+252
+NDS
+Hi-Line
+Kudos 606
+500
+552DR
+500DR
+EE Switch

The obvious route now is a second 555DR+ND555 and that would be it. Well, until Naim release something better, perhaps. Statement is out of the question, just too big, as beautiful as it is. Also it would throw things out of balance, and I’m at a point where I want more balance, not less, if that makes sense.

But I’m not convinced I’ll get the same uplift upgrading the streamer as I’ve enjoyed until now, based on everything I’ve read on here. Is it time to stick? I have no wish to leave Naim by the way.

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Well that is up to you, are you currently happy? If yes why spend any more money? Do you feel content whilst just enjoying music? I’m never going that far up the ladder in fact I think I’ve found my permanent sound but I think you’re definitely at a great stopping point.

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Yes, I’m happy and content. But then I was with the 272+150x. I have fantastic memories of that system; it rocked!

But I love the buzz of upgrading as well.

Thankfully, the glitchy NDS software seems to have settled down of late so this isn’t about functionality, purely SQ uplift.

I’d hate to go through all the excitement, anticipation, cost and disruption of an upgrade. Only to think, ‘meh!’.

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Maybe work with the electricity. Puritan 156 and groundbox city ground. Could be worthwhile. Get a better switch. Just a few thought but maybe you already have all that sorted?

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Leftfield suggestion.

Every month commit to spending £50-100 on new music. Search out different artists, different genres, really challenge your preconceptions and established taste.

Your post sounds like you are addicted to boxes and upgrades. Why not get addicted to music? You have the system to enjoy it.

I have no idea how much music you buy now of course, but I bet it is dwarfed by your system spend. Or maybe you stream everything!

Just my twopenneth.

Bruce

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^^ This absolutely. The amount of people obsessed with change and tinkering.

Go a week without even thinking about your lovely system and just do some listening.

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A 555 would be really nice, as it would then be all 500 series and the functionality is much better than the NDS. And, with the money for a second OS that you don’t need, you could buy a tonne of music. The best of both worlds.

I was one of the worst serial upgraders, downgraders and general fannyabouters, but have had my Nova and PMCs for getting on for two years and absolutely love listening. It’s good to get off the treadmill.

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Thanks all. Over the last few years I’ve slowed right down. Just the 500 to replace the 300, and then a 500DR at least 6 months ago. So things have slowed down a lot.

I would say I’m pretty addicted to music, I spend hours every day searching out new stuff. I think it’s perfectly possible to enjoy both listening to music, and upgrading the sound.

But at this stage I am only looking at finishing touches. Speakers and amp are 100% done. Although there’s always the possibility to go active. I heard rumours some time ago of a Kudos crossover. I see it’s launched but strangely quiet on here about it…

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I’d look into switch and cables if you want to extract more information from your great system. There’s more in those boxes than you hear today :slight_smile:

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I’ve had a ND555 in the system for several years but had a couple of problems my dealer lent me a NDX2 on the first occasion and the a NDS on the second occasion. In my system the ND555 was so much better than the NDS to be honest I was slightly disappointed in the NDS.

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@Stu299

Switch - Ethernet Cable and … if it happens ND555. or NOTHING and enjoy. Mania is not overall good :wink:

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Even for local streaming? For Tidal I understand. Then I know the Nd555 is better, but at the point of being disappointed by the Nds, I don’t understand. You would have a Bluesound in interim, I would understand.
I have an Nds/ PhoenixNet and Melco, and I am amazed by the wonderful sound.

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The NDS versus ND555 debate is a real head scratcher. Some say the difference is marginal at best, others say a big improvement. Were you using single or dual PS @pcd ?

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@Blackbird @drago tell me about these switches and cables. I’m all ears…

@Dan_M when you compared NDS v ND555 did you have the ND5XS2 still hooked up to the NDS and were you streaming locally or from internet via a service e.g. Tidal?

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I remember well. He compared Nds/ 1 ps vs Nd555/ 1 ps. The Nd5xs2 was not in the chain.
He compared files on local Nas and music from Radio.
No streaming services.
He found the differences very marginal, quite inexistant.

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Stu, single power supply used, just much preferred the ND555.

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Wow - you have been out here for some time :blush:
There has been a lot of words on the switches.
There are 2 main ones.
Phoenix net and ansuz d2. Different voicing - Phoenix more bodied and ansuz more dynamic. Lately there is the reiki
Cables: there is sigma and omega from shunyata which is popular here. Oephi cables should be good as blackbird tested…
Your system is very much like mine (except, nds vs nd555 2ps). I love the combination of Phoenix net and sigma Ethernet.

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Are you serious? You’ll be sticking pins in your eyes very soon. Go there at your peril.

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Mains cable wise you can do a lot better than the power lines at your level of system

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