Big Upgrades - Advice Required

Posted by: Richard P on 19 March 2004

Hi
Well it's the big four-oh this year, so I'm going to treat myself. My current system is:
LP12/Ekos1/Lingo2/Akiva
CDX
52/Supercap
250 (olive)
SBL's (1989 with bass/mid driver upgraded)

Now, I know the CDX is a weak link, so an upgrade to that is going to happen, but I'd also like to improve LP's too. Here are the upgrades that I can "finance" (in no particular order):

1. CDX2/XPS2/Neat MFS
2. CDX2/XPS2/NAP300
3. CDS3/XPS2
4. CDS3/XPS2/MFS
5. CDX2/XPS2/Neat MF5
6. XPS2/300/MFS

The cheaper Wink options allow for a second Fraim and/or Prefix/Ekos upgrade.

What do you think?

Rich
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by blythe
IMHO option 2 (CDX2/XPS2/NAP300) would you give you a very big upgrade and would be a balanced system.
Both LP12 and of course the new CDP would benefit from the 300 which would shine through the SBL's.
That would be my choice anyway Smile

Of course option 7 would be:
7. CDX2/XPS2/SNAXO 2-4/Hi-cap/extra Olive 250

The extra 250 and SNAXO 2-4 + Hi+Cap would be quite cost effective too, and to my ears, I prefer active 250's (even Olive) to the new 300.

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by Paul B
quote:
I prefer active 250's (even Olive) to the new 300.


So do I. Going active will transform your system. However your CDX could also use an XPS.

Paul
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by NB
Richard,

Buying a CDX2 is goingto be somewhat of a sidewards step.

Go the full hog and go for the CDS3/XPS2. This will give you the biggest up-gradde. Your amp and speakers are more than capable of showing the huge increase you will get with the CDS3 and wheb you get the chance buy a pair of Neats to finish it off!


Regards


NB
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by NB
ps I havn't been on the red wine at all!
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
NB

First past 4,000?

Congrats!

Regards

Mike

My name is Mike and I am a Floydaholic
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Does'nt the CDS3 come with power supply already?

Regards

Mike

My name is Mike and I am a Floydaholic
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by NB
Thanks Mike

Smile


NB
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by pslosarc
....NB is right. Go for the CDS3/XPS2. Best VFM upgrade option IMO....
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by Rico
CDS3 and XPS2. Your system is well up to this, and well beyond any of the CDX/2 permutations.

HTH

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by J.N.
Hi Richard

If CD is your primary source; I would also steer you toward a CDS3.

It is a superlative CD player, and as the lover of good vinyl reproduction you will appreciate its 'analogue' qualities.