Speaker Blues and Active Speakers Into a NAC- Good Idea?

Posted by: Mike Sae on 09 August 2001

Somehow this post got way out of control.
Apologies in advance if this wastes your time and/or forum space...

Here's the scenario-

As I wait for Royd and Neat to make an appearance on the west coast of Canada, I'm trying every speaker possible <2500$ with my Naims.

I like the sense of fun, groove and the low bass of my Rega Jura but it's rather "messy". I know I can do better.

Here are my pedestrian opinions of what I've heard so far(IMHO, in imperfect conditions):

-B&W CM4, DM303, CDM1nt: out of curiosity tried these. Not my bag.

-Spendor FL6: not worth the $$$, home theatre, Spendor style.

-Spendor 3/1p: great, but too small for room. Perhaps not the "fun lovin criminals" as my Juras

-Linn Ninka: Excellent sealed box bass, but too thin and icy sounding. Somehow it reminded me of those massed classical violins on those early Telarc CDs.

-Naim Credo: Were perhaps too relentless and thin, but had great drive and phat bass. The only speaker that matched the raunchy fun factor I'm looking for. Want to give these a 2nd shot.

-Dynaudio 50: Too well behaved, port farted like mad

-Rega Naos: Too big, too boomy in my situation.

-Mordaunt Short MS30i Classic: My friend bought these for his home theatre for 700 CDN. Tried them with my Naims- very nice for that price, but
there's something wierd with that metal dome tweet.

-Tannoy System 800: Loved 'em. Were a dem pair going for 700 bucks CDN. Literally slapped the cash on the counter only to be told that they were presold. At new prices, I want to shop around.

-I came close to buying a 2nd hand pair of Rega Ela, but they were missing the spike bars.

So this afternoon I waltz into the last hi-fi shoppe in town intending to hear the Epos M15 and Totem line. Through some deft sleight of hand, the dealer had me listening to a pair of Active Paradigm 40s fed by Krell's topline CDP and preamp, 30 grand CDN apparently.

I now understand all those Krell stereotypes about hi-fi artifice. Wicked transients, though. The whole time I'm thinking "My *low end* Naim kicks ass all over this." Nevertheless, those speakers made me curious.

Is it possible to plug a NAC72 into Paradigm Active 40's? I could bring my NAC and Hicap to the store, see what it makes of these speakers but all I see are Dins at my end, balanced/RCAs on its end. I don't know if a 20 foot Din to Balanced cable exists. This plus my understanding that NACs expect to "see" a NAP lead me to believe that this ain't gonna work.

Any advice?

If this works and actually sounds good, I can sell my NAP140, CD3.5/flatcap and buy a CDX

Thank you,

Mike S

P.S. Don't move to British Columbia if you actually like speakers with your Naim system.

P.P.S. I never did get to hear the Epos or Totems

[This message was edited by Mike S on FRIDAY 10 August 2001 at 02:17.]

[This message was edited by Mike S on FRIDAY 10 August 2001 at 02:18.]

Posted on: 09 August 2001 by Arthur Bye

I suggest that you call DiMex for advice on this and they should know what the 72 can and can't do. Alternatively you could talk with Steve at Flat Earth Audio(http://www.flatearthaudio.com/). He carries the ATC line of active speakers that are generally well regarded (especially in the Mana Forum) but i expect it would be hard to find a local source for ATC's in BC.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 10 August 2001 by MrI

I suggest that you go back to the store and hear the M15s and other speakers as originally planned. I spent a lot of time and effort demoing a pile of speakers and settled on the M15. With mass weighting, they represent an excellent voice for my cdx/32.5/hi/160. I predict that your 140 will also be enough power. The Epos are exceptionally clear and clean sounding, with small footprint and are nice looking (good WAF). The bass is very good and superior in depth and control from the ES14s they replaced. They certainly have enough snap to be a good match for the Naim sound.

Just a little warning: I also demoed at home the Totem 1 sig and the Arro. Both speakers were terribly bright with the Naim gear and the designer acknowledged that basic feature of the combination. But let your ears be your guide.

[This message was edited by MrI on FRIDAY 10 August 2001 at 17:40.]

Posted on: 10 August 2001 by Mike Hanson

quote:
I spent a lot of time and effort demoing a pile of speakers and settled on the M15. With mass weighting, they represent an excellent voice for my cdx/32.5/hi/160.

I can confirm both your marathon quest, and your extremely pleasing end-result. The M15 is a really nice sounding speaker, with very natural highs and great sense of the bass line. They also create a nice soundstage.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 10 August 2001 by Mike Sae

Arthur,

unless they have some cheaper models I don't know of, I think ATC is way beyond my means $$$. Interestingly, Canada's ATC distributor is right here in Vancouver. I'll have to call them up.

Still curious about this active thing- The power supply manual shows two 4 pin DIN outputs on the Hicap. I suppose one uses 1 for the right and 1 for the left channel, and makes (really long) some custom XLR leads. I'll try that soon.

I'll give the M15 a listen next time i'm there. If they're good enough for Mike Hanson, they should be okay

MrI,

now that you mention it, I remember hearing Totem Arros with a 92/90 many moons ago, before I got into Naim. I agree that they're terribly bright when fed with Naim.

Regards,

Mike S

[This message was edited by Mike S on SATURDAY 11 August 2001 at 03:08.]