My Katalyst KDS had its Organik upgrade today, and it’s a huge step forward. Much more holographic, bass is considerably more developed and textured, drums sound real, fuller sound with stronger transients, just everything is better. I think the magnitude of the upgrade is a steal at the price.
This is very promising , i have just recently purchased a KDS3 katalyst which I'm delighted with . I use a 52/scdr and still prefer this presentation over the DVC and KK. My intention is to keep the katalyst dac for a year and then upgrade to either a 552dr or Organik dac . Would be very interesting to see what would bring the biggest upgrade (i cant afford both ) but on money terms either a 552dr or organik would be around the same price
You mention DVC, and at Katalyst level I'd say I was in two minds vs analogue volume control via my Vitus integrated amp (which has a fixed 0db volume mode for DVC sources). With Organik, I think I am finally ready to commit to DVC, but it's early days. So as you consider your upgrade path, worth considering capability to support DVC. I recall some Naim pre's have an AV bypass feature, but I don't know the details.
You would need to audition. To me the NAC552DR has a distinctive sonic signature, whereas other top preamps I’ve heard sound more or less the same (Linn, Chord and Music First). If you like the Naim sound then you will probably go for NAC552DR. As stated earlier in the thread, my preference is for Linn’s DVC as inserting one of the transparent preamps makes no discernible difference. If you have the opportunity to try some options then you’ll soon know which you prefer: the NAC552DR does sound decidedly different.
Ordered my Organik upgrade for my KDS....
15 min job according to dealer...
5 mins audition was enough time to make this decision....reminds me of when I first heard Katalyst!.
Still not convinced by the looks of the new Klimax enclosure...sounds excellent tho'...
Dealer says he's sold a few upgrades and NGKDSM's,cannae wait fur mine!.
15 min job according to dealer...
5 mins audition was enough time to make this decision....reminds me of when I first heard Katalyst!.
Still not convinced by the looks of the new Klimax enclosure...sounds excellent tho'...
Dealer says he's sold a few upgrades and NGKDSM's,cannae wait fur mine!.
Hi Imseti,
seems like there are not many pre exakt KDS around anymore.
I listened to my upgraded KDS/1 for a week now and can say that for me the upgrade was worth it. Exakt and Katalyst upgrades didn’t convince me when I heard them at dealers and I thought money would better be spent elsewhere.
In my system the KDS/O connects to a KK/1 and then into aktive Komris.
The Organik upgrade improved a lot of things without loosing anything of the rhythmic quality and flow my system is especially trimmed for. In Hifi terms one could call it better soundstage, much better separation of individual instruments, a more natural sound of instruments, better transients, more natural decay of sound... but like always it would be best to listen to it for yourself in your own system.
Best regards
Elvin
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