Yeah. We want to see some pictures.

markusthenaimnut November 30, 2021 16:30

Pictures!

hifihandyman February 10, 2021 04:57

Isochronism,

I have heard about it, but, I have not had an opportunity to try it in my system. I currently run an NDS-based server system and do not use the CD 555 any more. The NDS also uses a 555 PS, so I could upgrade that to the PS 555DR, but, that would be a pretty expensive upgrade (the NDS, plus the ripper, plus a laptop, plus a NAS storage unit, plus iPAD, etc. turned out to be pretty expensive switchover).

larryi September 03, 2013 20:59

I should add that a few users had sent in some components for a DR upgrade, so that is also a possibility.

isochronism September 01, 2013 02:46

Hello Larryi, Have you heard about the new Naim PS555DR? Discrete Regulator. Some users on the Naim forum feel it is a BIG improvement. Some also feel that one PS555DR is better than the 2 PS555 upgrade. Some have even added a DR on their analogue side along with their original PS555 on digital side. They are reporting a LARGE benefits and worth the extra expense.

isochronism September 01, 2013 02:39

Hi Larryi,

I've been in contact with Aldo about commissioning some amps. Could you tell me a little about yours and how you think of them in relation to the others you own and have owned?

Thanks so much!

853guy August 21, 2013 22:10

Larry, I strongly second all of the previous comments about how extraordinary your system must be.

And I want to say also that I consistently find your posts in the discussion forums to be exceptionally informative, based on what is obviously an enormous breadth and depth of experience, and balanced and nuanced to an exceptional degree. And I'll add that I am consistently struck with how IMO your experience-based comments just about always seem to be technically plausible, and to make sense from a technical standpoint.

Thank you for your exceptional contributions to the forums, and keep up the good work!

Best,
-- Al

almarg June 11, 2013 00:17

Larry with the caliber of system you have I'd definitely would feel compelled to use the best sounding front end and just put up with some minor inconvenience. That Naim CD player must be really good to keep up with the rest of your system.
Regards,

charles1dad March 09, 2013 00:45

Charles1dad,

Thanks. It is quite nice sounding. I have not updated this profile in a while; I can't find a way to edit this page. I have made a few changes/additions. The most significant change is that I replaced the midrange horn in the system with Western Electric 713b drivers and a ks-12025 metal horn. Because the original horn sat on top of the woofer box, it was a very easy thing to replace one horn with another--I used an L-pad to control volume of the horn driver.

I also got a matching preamp and pushpull amplifier combination. Both are fully transformer coupled--transformers on the inputs of both and transformer on the preamp out. The preamp tubes are 310s and 311s, the power amp tubes are 348s and 349s. I still have the Epifania and the Kageki (actually, a friend is borrowing both).

Finally, I am in the process of ripping all of my CDs to a Naim NDS server. I really like the convenience and accessibility of music off of the server, but, the downside is that it does not sound nearly as good as the Naim CD555 player--the server has a somewhat odd, artificial sound (sort of like MP3, though not that extreme). I still have the CD555, so, if I can figure out an easy way to keep both in the system at the same time, I might do that (I use the power supply from the CD555 for the NDS server).

larryi March 08, 2013 22:22

Larryi,
What an exceptional system you`ve put together, it has to sound heavenly.

Regards,

charles1dad March 06, 2013 19:10

Avondale was the other maker; I couldn't tell if they make 555 supplies or not.

stanwal May 05, 2012 03:45

I would send him an email; he is very helpful. There is also at least one other company making well regarded PSs for Naim; I will look them up. Also TP makes cables; his Burndy runs something like $175 and works fine for me.

stanwal May 04, 2012 20:52

Stanwal,

Thanks for mentioning Teddy Pardo. I had no idea there was an alternative source of power supplies. Unfortunately, their website does not mention any alternative to the PS555 power supply.

larryi May 04, 2012 20:25

You might look at the Teddy Pardo power supplies; I have his Teddy Super Cap for my Superline and am very happy with the sound and more with the price; which was less than a quarter of Naim's [ $1500 vs $6600].

stanwal May 03, 2012 13:36

I have friend who had the Naim reference system, and everything possible also had the PS555. I must say, I prefer my GNSC Statement Wadia S7i. It is more transparent, dynamic with equal PRAT.

talk2me May 02, 2012 15:08

& Audio Magic Oracle power conditioner. I am trying some AM Clairvoyant liquid air PCs and IC. May get a few more. Tempo Electric single solid silver IC pre to amps. TE single solid silver SCs.

isochronism May 02, 2012 13:17

I have to post my system some time.
Verdier Platine, Grandezza arm (not set up until I move)
CD555/PS555
Magnum Dynalab 106T, Signal Sleuth, ST2
Doshi Alaap Pre
Wavelength 300B Cardinal XS Signature pair
Wavelength 45 Silver pair. Old, commissioned by Larry Kay
Beauhorn Virtuoso speakers.
In a very small apartment

isochronism May 02, 2012 12:58

Larry, I was fortunate to find my CD555/PS555 here at a nice price, and have also seen lone used PS555s for sale here. I do agree it is a BIG extra expense, though a few on the Naim forum feel it is worth it. I feel set for life(?) with my digital. I am not really a download guy, and not very computer savvy. CDs, Records, & FM.

isochronism May 02, 2012 12:36

Isochronism,

Another $10k power supply for what must be severely diminishing returns is a bit much. On the other hand, I will need a PS555 if I go with an NDS music server, something I am looking into these days.

I like what Naim does in the digital arena, so I fully expect their server to be great sounding (I have heard the NDX). My issues, as it is often the case with Naim, have to do with operational/ergonomic idiosyncrasies, such as, the inability to add pictures of album covers to the meta-data if the data services they subscribe to do not provide a picture, and the inability to edit all fields of meta-data (one cannot change the spelling of composer names and such names are always alphabetized by first name).

Are you planning any changes/improvement in your digital setup? I haven't heard any CD players that make me think about replacing the CD555 (other than with a music server).

larryi May 01, 2012 21:15

Hi Larry, I also own the CD555. I was reading on the Naim forum that some users added a second PS555 for much improvement. They felt the extra cost was worthwhile.

isochronism May 01, 2012 14:25

I heard the CD555 about 3 months ago. It is remarkable indeed, you lucky man.

chashmal October 23, 2008 19:14

Larry,

It sounds like you have a system you can enjoy listening to music with. That is what matters. It is the Colibri that requires more than one cartridge. I also heard the Viva Integrated. It is truly special.

dgad October 03, 2008 20:13

Dgad,

I did not do much in the way of comparison shopping. I have heard, and liked other Viva products (Solista amp), and a friend knows Bob Clark the Viva distributor. He had a cosmetically damaged Viva Fono that had been on the audio show circuit. I got it for a silly-cheap price. That meant fiddling around to get things to sound just the way I wanted it to sound. Changing the loading is not easy; different resistors have to be soldered across the input (without torching some hair-thin wires that are dauntingly close by). I also went with different 12ax7 tubes. The best for me are Telefunken ECC803S, though the much cheaper Telefunken ECC83s are decent.

I too like the Titan a lot. It is quite lively sounding and its top end is beautifully extended, without being excessively strident or sibilant.

The other cartridge I have had in my system that is quite good is the Transfiguration Orpheus. This is not as "fast" a cartridge, but the extra upper midrange presence is something I like. A friend loaned it to me while he was on vacation.

I've only heard the Colibri in dealer/show setups. That is a VERY exciting, dynamic cartridge. I keep telling my friends they should get that cartridge. Like you, I suspect it would be fun to listen to, but, better in someone else's system than in my every day setup.

Unlike you, I have only one table and one cartridge at a time. Friends have multiple tables and arms, and I have to admit it is a lot of fun having options.

larryi October 02, 2008 16:32

Larry,

Just read your comments. Suffice it to say, the Viva Phono should be amazing. I recently listened to a bunch of the equipment (not the phono) and loved the sound. As for your phono threads, I do agree w. you. It is all in the setup at some level.

What did you compare the Viva to? I love my Titan I above & beyond. That is after owning several cartridges (about 10 or more top ones). Next to come is the Colibri. But it is more of a race car by reputation. Not an every day player. I also do not feel new is necessary better. I think this is one of the problems we are having in audio.

dgad September 29, 2008 19:39

Hi,

I haven't checked in here for a while. Baranyi, sorry, but the Epifania is a keeper. My only real issue with this linestage is finding quiet 12B4s. This is not an issue of the tubes going bad quickly. Rather, many start off either making a fluttering kind of hiss, or occasionally emitting a "ping" (or both). I've gone through quite a few tubes to get to one that is dead quiet and one that makes just a little bit of noise. Fortunately, these tubes cost about $6.00 each.

Chashmal, I am completely in agreement with you. I really don't like Naim amplification (it has an artificial sharpness ("edge") to the initial attack of the note that becomes mechanical sounding, and insistent (there all the time). The sound is a touch too dry for me too, but, then again, I am a SET tube person. I find that the 555 has a touch of that transistor "edge" to the initial transient of a musical note, but, not too much, and it is otherwise terrific. I am very happy with that player.

larryi July 08, 2008 19:22