Source First or Just Plain Saucey!

[Tom Tom Audio]

We've had a spate of NDS demos recently which has only reinforced our opinion that this is simply the most incredible digital source we've ever heard...

Martin C and I had a ball trying the power supply options through Kudos Titans - possibly as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.

[Dave Burke]

The NDS is certainly one hell of a source! Having been lucky to have one for for almost a year, it opens a window on the music like nothing else. I've only heard the Titans at shows and they were mightily impressive so the combination must be out of this world.

[Martin Crowther]

Hi James

Yes definitely fun, it's always a good sign when we spent most of the time simply enjoying the music - nice to know that I have a soul mate when it comes to dodgy electronic music.

Couple of words on the Titans - really interesting to hear them jell in your room, James. As we upped the anti with the NDS they just kept on resolving deeper and deeper into the music. I love the clout from the bass and the delicacy of the treble but, for me, their ability to bring out the textures and flow of the music was the real highlight. ......Of course, I might be slightly biased given that there's a pair residing in my lounge (still improving after a year or so).

As to the NDS, it was definitely a step up from my NDAC and XPS2. There was definitely an added subtleness to the rhythm and timing: not so much quicker as simply "right". You could follow the interplay between singers on Neil Simon's Graceland and between the Percussionists from Dead Can Dance. For me the XPS2 to 555Ps transition was slightly different to what I was expecting. In many ways I found the XPS2 more "neutral" in tone whereas the 555 seemed warmer (I want to describe it as dark chocolate" but you'll all think I'm mad!) However, the sheer drama that the 555 brought (e.g the tightness of the drum skins and the texture of the synths from Fever Ray) was just utterly compelling and I think we just lapsed happily into listening to music old and new.

I'll sort out a memory stick "sampler" for you James but for anyone interested, highlights included:

Fever Ray: Keep the Streets Empty for Me

Neil Simon: Homeless

Dead Can Dance : Yulunga

Chris Jones : Thank You (R J Reynolds)

Angus and Julia Stone : For You

Janet Robin : Everybody Falls in Love in Prague

Kate Bush : Misty (Hi Res)

Saint Saens 3rd (Organ) Symphony (from Living Stereo Box Set)

Dvorak Symphony 9 ("New World") (Hi-res from Society of Sound)

plus Grace Jones, Massive Attack, Norah Jones, Wilderness of Manitoba, Amelia Curran, Peter Gabriel...

 

Thanks again for a great demo James

 

Martin C

P.S. ....shall we save FLAC vs WAV for another time  ;-)

PP.S.   As to the most fun without clothes? That must be body boarding in North Devon