Planning for the future

Posted by: Den on 04 December 2001

Now that the year is almost over I have to make my upgrade plans for the future. This year was a beautiful year. I made the first steps in the fascinating world of Naim audio. First I replaced a NAD C320 with a Nait5 at the beginning of this year, very soon followed by a FlatcapII power supply (that was a big upgrade). Two months ago I replaced a NAD C541 by a CD5 (also a very big improvement). I am happy with my very balanced system but I know it can easily bettered. So, now I am planning my upgrades for 2002. I think I have about £2000,- to spend. I really want to improve bass control and detail but I don't want to replace the CD player. Replacing my speakers is also no option. I consider the following second-hand upgrades:

1. NAP180 in January, NAC82 later in the year
2. NAP250 in March, NAC102 later in the year
3. NAP250 in march, NAC82 at the end of the year.
4. NAP150 + NAC 112 in March, Highcap later in the year

What do you think would be the best option??

Dennis

Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Tony L

quote:
So, now I am planning my upgrades for 2002. I think I have about £2000,- to spend. I really want to improve bass control and detail but I don't want to replace the CD player.

I am a front end first fanatic, so I'm sure you can guess what's coming… but obviously go and get a dem and prove it for yourself...

If I had your system I would get a CDX, then I would get a XPS, then I would get a CDS2. The Nait 5 / Flatcap is plenty good enough to show you exactly why each step is fundamentally superior to the preceding one. The only exception I can think to this rule is if your speakers are real amp suckers, and the Nait 5 simply can't drive them adequately. If this is the case and the speakers really are worth keeping, then get the cheapest amp that will drive them, say a 32.5 / Hicap / 160, and get back improving that source. This will improve bass control and detail, and above all the systems musical ability, and it will do it far more cheaply and effectively than sticking that money anywhere down stream.

I am also a analogue front end fan, I honestly feel that to match a decent record on a decent record player costing X you usually need to spend about two times X on the CD player. I practice what I preach, I run a CDX into a Nait and a pair of Kans, I also have a first rate vinyl front end (P9 / MC25FL / Microgroove), so I know what magic can come out of that little amp and speakers, and that they are still not the weak link in my system. If I upgrade further it will be to a XPS.

Tony.

Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Peter Stockwell

quote:
Originally posted by Den:
... First I replaced a NAD C320 with a Nait5 at the beginning of this year, very soon followed by a FlatcapII power supply (that was a big upgrade). .... CD5 (also a very big improvement). I am happy with my very balanced system but I know it can easily bettered. .... I think I have about £2000,- to spend. I really want to improve bass control and detail but I don't want to replace the CD player.... I consider the following second-hand upgrades:
1. NAP180 in January, NAC82 later in the year
2. NAP250 in March, NAC102 later in the year
3. NAP250 in march, NAC82 at the end of the year.
4. NAP150 + NAC 112 in March, Highcap later in the year
What do you think would be the best option??
Dennis

Tony has given a good option in the CDX, then I could pop up to Rotterdam on the train and relieve you of the CD5.

I have a Nait 5 and just bought a Hicap, which I'll be physically adding to the system in january. I had been saving for a CDX but I'm not totally convinced I have to replace my Micromega Stage 6, I may run it until it dies. I've heard the CDX/XPS in front of 82/Hi/250 and Shahinian arcs, and I've never heard a CD player sound better .... with well recorded material. It was bit fierce with dodgyly produced CDs.

I've wondered about migrating to a 112/150, but I went to the Nait from biamping to simplify the system. But the upgrade itch is hard to contain .

A question that I have in this context, is it possible to use the poweramp section of the Nait 5 driven by a ???capped preamp as an interim solution ?

Peter