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

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

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

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

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

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

Elescher,

The CD555 is, to me, just a bit more refined and weighter sounding. The big improvement is between the CDX2 and the CDS3.

The improvement wrought by the CD555 over the CDS3 is about the same magnitude as upgrading the CDS3 with the 555 power supply.

In other words, do it if you can, but the price is quite steep.

larryi October 31, 2007 00:24

System edited: Sirspeedy, I don't know if there are any available pictures of my model of speaker. It was discontinued a few years ago because, according to the manufacturer, it was too expensive to build (why not just jack the price, increases are already being swamped by the decline in the $ so who would notice). The latest model of this speaker had a wood enclosure for the horn and bullet tweeter that made it look more presentable than the model I have, but, I actually prefer the sound of my model. By the way, I have updated my system to reflect the change from the Naim CDS3 to the CD555. In terms of sound, this is a subtle improvement, but well worthwhile.

larryi October 26, 2007 14:23

System edited: I upgraded the power supply to the CDS3 by using the powersupply from NAIM's flagship CDS-555 player. This has resulted in a subtle improvement in weight, and a more natural, less mechanical attack to notes, while articulation and sense of speed remains as good as it was before. I don't know how others measure cost-effectiveness, but, let me just say that this kind of refinement does not come cheap

larryi August 14, 2006 15:30

System edited: I replaced a Levinson Ref. No. 32 linestage/phono with a tube-based Emotive Audio Epifania linestage and a ViVa Fono tube-based phonostage. I am very pleased with the Epifania fed by CD player, but I haven't yet sorted out the proper loading and tube complement for the Viva Fono.

larryi August 08, 2006 23:19

I have the Omega IIs. I have heard and like the AKGs. I suppose that in most systems, the AKG might be more compatible because I find the Omega IIs to be brutally demanding (sounds dry and mechanical with most solid state linestages). I am in the process of getting a really nice tube linestage that works extremely well with the Stax (Emotive Audio Epifania).

I also like an older model Sony phone I heard, but it hasn't been in production for about five years (I recall that it cost somewhere around $500). Also, Koss electrostatic phones are much warmer and mellow sounding than the Stax, so they too might be easier to match to most systems.

But, when the system is right, and the source material is well recorded, the Stax is absolutely amazing. I don't have an easy way to incorporate another amp for an alternative to the Stax, otherwise, there is no reason not to have more than one set of phones.

larryi January 11, 2006 20:02

Oops, the speakers are an obscure Italian brand named S.A.P. (Strumenti Acustici di Precisione). The Model is the J-2001 (twin). It has a large Jensen/Onken bass reflex cabinet with two 12" paper cone speakers (pleated paper surround). The midrange horn and fostex bullet tweeter sit on top of the woofer cabinet (actually on a platform suspended above the woofer cabinet by magnets). The speaker is 99 db/w efficient, which allows me to use the 8 watt Kageki amplifier.

larryi December 10, 2004 20:19