got new XPS2, instant gratification....

Posted by: Rich Jerskey on 13 April 2004

Yes, I bit the bullet. I didn't even sell my old one (I will in time, no doubt) but I picked up a new XPS2 to power my CDS2 which is preamped by my 252 and powered amped by two 250's (olive/chrome).
Instant gratification was what I got unexpectedly but maybe not too surprisingly. I think I am really content for the first time since I came down with this particular strain of Naim upgraditis. The music just beckons like a siren... Good recordings are inviting me to rediscover my CD collection (once again). Lousy recordings are now more revealed than before but everything is definitely more listenable and just plain enjoyable without going so far as to say my jaw dropped (I wasn't looking in the mirror - maybe it did!). All I can say is if you are debating whether an XPS2 will add anything over your present XPS, the answer is a resounding YES!!! at least with a comparable set up to what I have. Thanks for being there (whether you wanted to or not) for me to vent in this rare display of warranted enthusiasm after spending more big bucks on the Naim Game.

Satisfied and tickled too....

Rich


p.s. it's got a long way to go before fully burned in. it gets better???
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Rich Jerskey
seeing as how I'm in Saudi, you might win the race. i may just Audiogon it when I visit the States later this year.

misery loves company Nick. Thanks for not letting me feel like I'm going through this all by myself. Wink

Satisfied and tickled too....

Rich
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Rich Jerskey
Hi Rodney, I'm going to try and pretend I didn't read your comment about the CDS3. The guy who sold me my CDS2 is one of the more well known audio reviewers and he said the difference was noticeable but nothing he would get excited about. (he bought another CDP which he proceeded to review with lavish praise). Anyway, I used to live in West Byfleet so don't pick on my poor little old CDS2, o.k.?

Nick, this forum is diabolical in design. I swear it probably encourages more upgrades (whether second hand or new) than any advertisement/review would in audio mags, right?

Satisfied and tickled too....

Rich
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Rich Jerskey
Oh man, I'm feelin in the pink. You had me goin, I was already schemin and dreamin. Wink

Satisfied and tickled too....

Rich
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Arthur Bye
Hmm....

If I have a CDS2/xps and want to upgrade, which should come first, the XPS2 or the CDS3 head unit?

Where does the new Burndy fit into all of this?

Arthur Bye
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Chris Metcalfe
XPS2, no question.
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Geoff P
Please no more comments about Burndy's

I am hyper ventilating already because I have to decided which round to plug one in later on this week.

regards
GEOFF
Posted on: 13 April 2004 by Arthur Bye
Chris Metcalfe wrote:
quote:
XPS2, no question


Kind of flies in the face of "source first" doesn't it?

Since I've now got one on order I guess I'll be finding out soon enough.

Arthur Bye
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Rich Jerskey
For What It's Worth:.....

I've had this plugged in since Sunday evening and not much difference in sound as far as burn in observations. Just sounds like a considerable improvement over-all!

I did tweak my SNAXO 242 LF pot a tad as the bass is more significant now. I imagine before the next few weeks are up, I'll end up opening the SNAXO again.

Anybody else have any observations on SNAXO tweaking after an upgrade?

Satisfied and tickled too....

Rich
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Derek Wright
quote:
Kind of flies in the face of "source first" doesn't it?


I thought the mains was one of the most important source components

Derek

<< >>
Posted on: 14 April 2004 by Arthur Bye
Derek Wright wrote:
quote:
I thought the mains was one of the most important source components

Mains are important, but they are not a source like a CD head unit is. If the head unit was crap no improvement in the power supply is going to make it better.

That is unless you use Mana, which according to legend, can repair any and audio problems. Maybe I should get a CD Walkman and stage 17 Mana instead.

Arthur Bye