NAP 200 and B&W N804

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Originally posted by achandoke:
I bought a CD5/202/200/FC2 system for my little brother. He loves it. He is currently auditioning the Nautilus 804. He enjoys the speakers. However, when the volume is at the 10 o'clock position, I can hear a cracking noise. The noise plays with each beat, and its rather disturbing.We both confirmed this with multiple cds. The bass is fine and it seems to be coming from the FST midrange. I assume that the speaker is clipping or the drivers are blown. I am surprised to think that the 200 couldnt drive the N804.

Is the amp not powerful enough to drive these speakers? If not, are there any other speakers that suit the 200?

Thank you for your time.

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N805

Wow yoou bought that system for your brother? can I be your step brother? I need a 282 for my system

too bad aobut the cracking sound Spendors don't do that. pisser when some little detail ruins the presentation.

mighty! how big is the room? 10 is very loud with cd5 source.

804's need power, but at 10, this is very LOUD IMHO?

pete

I have run my 180 up to 11-12 o'clock on the 1812, it was bloody loud. No cracking noises though. Sorry that should read somebody I know ran the amp up to...

Could be something amiss with the speakers.

Matthew

clipping usually gives a fuzzy sound (like an electric guitar), cracks are usually blown speakers. Glad they aren't yours. I would not expect your amp to blow the 804s in ANY normal cicumstances. I think they were already broken.

malcolm

The N804 are really hard to drive speaker they need a 250 at least...

The 803 and 805 are easier to drive!

Bernard Paquet

I suppose the midrange driver is bad. I am glad for the last post. I was thinking that the 200 wasnt a strong amp.

actually, i just bought a cdx2 from my dealer today.

I had a 112 originally and then upgraded to a 202. there is a huge difference. I listened to the cdx2/112/150, its a tough choice. the 202 lets a lot more information into the amplifier, but with a cdx2, the sound is constricted with the 112. In the end, i felt the cd5/202/200 would be a good way to start to see what a cd5 could do and then get a cdx2. anyway, im getting the cdx2 asap, so i will let you know

Folks-

1) The Nap 200 will drive N 804's fine, although some listeners may prefer the extra control that a 250 would offer. So for the first problem system, I would guess some speaker issue.

2) B&W Nautilus speakers all take a very long time to break in, and in the early phase of use, the treble will exhibit a raspy quality somewhat akin to a halo around the music with higher frequency information very prominent in the mix. So, for the second person, try to play your speakers as much as possible, and at least some of this break in time the speakers will need to be played loud.

Finally, you should experiment with speaker placement in your room to get a good balance of bass output and midrange bloom without excessive bass overwhelming the midrange. These speakers do like to be away from the boundaries, and you may prefer them with less toe in than may be appropriate later on in the breakin cycle once the tweeters are more even in their response.

Good luck. This speaker has magical qualities on the end of a Naim system, so the wait is definately worth it.

I've heard a Nait5 driving an N802, N803, N804 and N805. They combination sounds fine. Even at higher levels the Nait seems ok.

A 200 should drive a N804 easily. And it sounds damn good too! I was actually looking for the same combo. I'm going for the N805 sigs, because the N804's produce too much bass for my room. Details o' plenty though .