The best things come to those who wait. That’s what my Mother always used to say…
The Back Story
About five years ago, a decision was made to split several hifi pieces off into two directions and build two separate systems.
One as analogue first, which would consist of our existing LPS12 and Epos ES14 speakers.
Adding Naim Olive pieces to make up a classic system and a homage to a golden age of vinyl.
Then, a second more modern as “digital first”, based on existing Naim CD5 XS, Naim DAC and Naim XS2 amplifier. Also a Rega TT and phono stage too. So, overtime, needing to add just a streamer and new speakers.
As we already had the nDAC, it made sense to add the ND5 XS2 as the most likely streaming partner. Used as transport with the nDAC. I always knew this killer combo’ needed a psu to really shine.
For matching a Naim amp with speakers, the aim was SN3 + HCDR → PMC 25.23i (passive).
However, along the way, PMC introduced their active upgrade modules.
So, a meander sideways occurred to investigate active options.
PMC 25.23i - as active - won the day.
Once a decision for active speakers was made, a chance opportunity to swop SN3 for a NAC282 was more luck than judgement. The HCDR partnering the SN3 was moved over to the NAC282.
That’s a quick summary of the journey so far.
So, the current digital first system is now a complete system in its own right and works just beautifully. The cherry on the icing on top of the cake was always - later - to add a Naim psu to the nDAC, which would benefit both digital sources for CD ( CD5 XS ) and streaming ( ND5 XS2).
A Cherry on Top
PSU options for the nDAC are (1) XPS DR, (2) 555PS DR. Not withstanding previous variants of these two options
Also worth noting, the synergy between nDAC and 555PS (non DR), is well documented within this forum.
Unfortunately, the venerable old nDAC missed out with the new NPX300 psu. So, now only OC psu’s options will do.
Chatted recently with Tony @BasicallySound about this idea. In the past, he’s provided the opportunity to listen to each separately, but not together. So, Tony offered to set up a demo - with both psu’s - to compare. The 555PS DR, being from current demo stock. The XPS DR - no longer available as new - being made available for a day. Another example of working with a wonderful dealer. It’s amazing how a good dealer can often get their hands on things not immediately available. Also, with time, pre-loved items appearing into their stock, which become options for their customers.
Had a wonderful, enlightening day - last week - contemplating this next step.
Should add at the outset, I regard myself as lucky to have found a brilliant dealer, that is patient and accommodating and works over the long term to support customers with their Hi-Fi journey. As my mother often said “patience is a virtue” and “the best things come to those who wait”. Fine platitudes. (Maybe for both parties, dealer and customer). Any longer term HiFi journey - building a system over time - is as much about a partnership with a great dealer, as the patience to wait and build things over time.
Here is the latest report to share.
Two psu’s and one simple idea was explored…
(1) Naim XPS DR
(2) Naim 555PS DR
Added to an NDAC, how do these two psu options compare ?
The Room Makes a Difference
Having set up our home system, and begun listening, the first immediate observation was our home system sounded slightly different. I assumed this was likely down to the different room environment. So, needed to spend a decent amount of time “tuning” into the room, playing maybe 40-50mins of music first, some 9-10-11 tracks. After all, the objective was just to isolate any obvious differences, in SQ terms. Which is a relative judgement at this stage.
Image Note : Naim ND5 XS2 → nDAC → NAC282 + 2x HCDR → PMC 25.23i active.
( All Naim boxes from home system. Speakers and PSU’s are Basically Sound stock).
Demo’ Notes
Taking a slightly different approach - on this occasion - sharing some of my listening notes, just a a few to give readers an alternative insight, written as rough notes at the time. All the tracks are well known, (to me). So, these notes illustrate thoughts as they occurred during listening.
Listened to our existing home system for a few tracks, just to settle in.
Score maybe 60 / 100. Different presentation, from home.
Adding XPS DR psu
First song was Kate Bush, Misty…
Kate Bush : Misty
Piano has more subtle timbre, more detail. Kate’s voice has nuisances , not present before
High hat, more tizz
Kate’s voice a little deeper, soulful
Cello’s have more presence
Just stepping back - soaking up the bigger picture - more space or ambience to the music.
Also, background seems quieter.
Johnny Cash : Hurt
Acoustic guitar, more depth, notes resonating, decay - length - on string notes
Cash’s voice is a little fuller, breathing more apparent
Warpaint : Champion
Kick drum is clearer, more substance, more control. Electric bass guitar too
Big rhythm and bass in this track.
Female vocals - harmonies sweeter, more layers or depth.
This track - from about 2:30 - is kinda atmospheric anyway, but psu brings out more ambiance or atmosphere
Bass - reprise @ 3:50 - really thumps.
The Skin Tree Project : Mistaken
Double bass is tighter, much more controlled, start and stop of notes
Electric guitar has a different timbre, more sophisticated, more detail to notes.
Thinking about the effect of adding the XPS DR. Score maybe 75 / 100
It’s maybe about complexity, more subtle textures, also control of lower register.
David Sylvian, Orpheus
Opening bars, heard symbols, ( high hat) so much more detail, notes decay. Separation of notes
More of everything, all the instruments so much more clearly placed.
Voice is more complex
Trumpet solo is sublime, greater expression of notes.
Image Note : Naim XPS DR and 555PS DR psu’s, under the spot light.
Adding a 555PS DR psu
Fleetwood Mac : Over my Head
For me, this is Christie McVie at her very best
Another step level, upwards
Clarity, complexity, control
David Sylvian, Orpheus
Clearly better, although at first struggling to say exactly how, struck for words to describe experience, other than to say, same qualities reported above, but just more of it.
Clarity of male voice, breathing, timbre of voice
Kick drum nicely controlled bass notes.
Acoustic guitar, clear notes,
Symbol ( high hat ) clear, decay of notes.
Bass is more obviously controlled with the 555, thinking it is specifically here that a difference is most clearly noticed.
Thinking about the effect of adding the 555PS DR. Score maybe 85 / 100
I mean, yes a discernible difference, but not huge step, more subtle maybe around the edges ??
The whole is a little more, the music fills out more.
Kate Bush : Misty
Lovely opening, best yet, piano notes so clear and natural. Decay of piano notes apparent.
More subtlety and timbre to piano music, more depth and body.
Quieter between notes, with her female voice and vocals
The Bad Plus : Everywhere You Turn.
Hearing more, as track starts, at lower sound levels, more from recording. (Noise floor is lower to enable this)
Layers noticed - in the double bass - as the track progresses. Recording shows more complexity, with this instrument
Great control over bass notes.
Piano beautifully articulated too.
Leonard Cohen : Here it is
His voice is so much more atmospheric, another level to depth.
Bass notes are amazing, more fluid and flowing. System resolves the notes better.
David Sylvian : Orpheus (again)
Okay got it - a eureka moment - got it at this point.
The differences struck me most obviously at this moment.
We went back and forth - with this one track - using XPS, then swopped to 555PS and played again.
(The way the nDAC was set up, with both psu’s close by, it was easy enough the swap the Burndy cable).
In this moment, we really got it. So much clearer, more energy, more fluid with a 555PS.
So, with more time, maybe score higher 90/100
Maybe not double the improvement, as it is not a linear relationship, never-the-less, a significant step forward.
Tony and myself chatted about the results from the afternoon.
We both agreed the 555PS was the better option, and the nuances, in the context of this system.
Some Fun : ATC SCM 20 ASLT active towers (Again)
Then some light hearted fun, after all, it can’t be all hard work?
We had maybe 45 minutes left in the day. So, having earlier seen the pair of demo ATC 20 active towers, asked if we could have another listen to these lovely floor standing speakers.
We had time to play a few tracks, not many, maybe three or four.
Enough listening to remind myself, these are really nice two way active floor standing speakers.
Although, I remembered them as being slightly better at home. Maybe another consequence of this different room environment affecting things.
The main observation - from a short listen - is the differences ( with PMC Twenty5 active) is simply presentation or maybe due to brand “house sound” or sonic philosophy.
The ATC’s more dominant in mid range. PMC’s play more equally across the bandwidth, but with a strong bass from Transmission Line.
Really interesting to see and hear the new ATC SCM 20 ASL active stand mount, recently announced. Maybe one for another day.
Test tracks
A mixture of old favourites and a few new ones.
All streamed from Qobuz at 44/16, except where stated otherwise.
My Bloody Valentine - Soon, from Loveless (1991)
!!! - Bend Over Beethoven, from Myth Takes (2007)
Warpaint - Champion, from Radiate Like This (2022) @ 96/24
New Order - Crystal, from Get Ready (2001)
Leonard Cohen - Here It Is, from Ten New Songs (2001)
Johnny Cash - Hurt, from American IV : The Man Who Comes Around (2002)
Lo Moon - Loveless, from Lo Moon (2018)
Steven Wilson - Permanence, from The Overview (2025)
Kate Bush - Misty, from 50 Words for Snow (2011)
The Skin Tree Project - Mistaken, from Trance (2022)
The Bad Plus - Everywhere You Turn, from These are the Vistas (2002)
Fleetwood Mac - Over My Head, from Fleetwood Mac, (1975)
The Blue Nile - Headlights on the Parade, from Hats (1989)
What next ?
The 555PS DR was clearly the better psu in this session. No question. Just more of everything.
However, at c.£8k new or maybe £6-7k ex-demo, is it twice or three times the worth or value of an XPS DR ?
That’s maybe a very personal and individual question, each of us might answer differently.
That’s not to say the 555PS DR was disappointing or anything other than the better psu, in this system context. So, this thought is more to do with value judgements.
With most things - with considered high value purchases - it comes down value judgements.
So where are we now ?
Think this very much depends. Now we’ve done the comparison, I would be happy to take one or the other, having established the XPS DR offers a substantial gain, by itself. The XPS DR is no slouch and we would now be happy to have one in our home system.
A new or ex-demo 555PS is maybe a stretch too far at the moment. At least for now.
And the XPS DR is no longer available as new. These two ideas combined puts us into the Pre-Loved market anyway. So, that leaves a more modest budget for pre-loved items that might appear.
Let’s wait and see what happens with Pre-Loved items
Watch this space.
Do hope these rambling are useful or interesting to others too
Best wishes
R
p.s. Image credits : All images with kind permission of Basically Sound
p.p.s As always, my thanks to the guys at Basically Sound for demo’ system set up, supplying coffee and tea and all the banter. Cake and biscuits were consumed too. Thanks Tony.
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