FOR
Impressive clarity combined with exceptional dynamic expression and rhythmic coherence
Fine build
AGAINST
Price puts it out of the reach of most
VERDICT
The ND 555/555 PS DR combination isn’t cheap, but it is the best-sounding digital streaming source we’ve heard
Naim is rightly proud of its ND 555 music streamer. It’s the first of the company’s streaming products to gain 500 series status, and in Naim-speak that means it’s the very best it makes right now.
The ND 555 is claimed to be a ground-up new design, but it still focuses on evolutionary thinking rather than trying to reinvent anything. Considering the success the company has had with that approach over the decades, that’s no bad thing.
If you spend lakhs on a music steamer, you’d normally expect it to work straight from the box. But that’s not the case here; the ND 555 doesn’t have a built-in power supply. You’ll need to add at least one of the company’s 555 PS DR outboard power units – and that costs lakhs more. You can add another if you’re really feeling flush, and the claim is of another performance lift.
So what we really have here (in base form) is a very expensive music streamer; and you know what? We love it.
THE FRUIT OF HEAVY INVESTMENT
Naim has been at the forefront of hi-fi streaming for years. It invested in the technology early, when most rivals (apart from Linn) hedged their bets. It has continued to pour resources into R&D to make sure it stays at the leading edge.
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av What Hi-Fi.
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Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av What Hi-Fi.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prÞveperiode pÄ Magzter GOLD for Ä fÄ tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg pÄ
YG Acoustics Carmel 3
On paper, the Carmel 3 from Colorado-based speaker specialist YG Acoustics has a credibility problem. They cost a huge amount of money but are small, rather plain-looking two-way floorstanders.
SME Model 20 Mk 2/Series V
SME launched the Model 20 turntable back in 1992. The partnering tonearm on our review sample, the now legendary Series V, dates back even further to 1986.
TOP FIVE LAUNCHES
Five products to look out for this month
Real slim shady...
FOR Slim profile, superb dispersion, soundstage AGAINST Can get a little expensive
THE BIG PICTURE
This projector-based home cinema set-up aims to please
MOVIES ON THE MOVE
Great pictures and quality sound-wherever you are
DREAM CINEMA
An incredible high-end home cinema experience, at a price
GAMING GEM
Serious gamers will be well served by this serious rig
CINEMATIC STUNNER
A truly immersive system for both gaming and movie nights
SOUNDBAR SUPERSTAR
The benefits of a surround set-up, without the fuss