upgrade what?

Posted by: graeme w on 19 November 2001

Current system: 92/90.3, cd3.5, flatcap(attached to cd), all Naim cables, credo spkrs.
It's getting close to buying another box time, but i'm completely confused about which way to go. I want to clearly hear the benefits of any upgrade, while keeping in mind possible future upgrades. Any help would be welcome.
Cheers!

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by Phil Barry

What do you want to change? What's your budget?

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by Scott Mckenzie

This is the way I was planning on going...I am awaiting to see what people may think, but I am considering reaching your stage and then adding a second 90.3 and going active either via an IXO or SNAXO..the IXO would be tempting just to keep the slimline boxes going

Scott

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by Stephen Bennett

This is what I'd do, if you fancy a staged upgrade.

Try the Flatcap on the pre amp first - see if you prefer that.

Get a used hicap for the preamp

Change the preamp to a 72 or 102/112 if you need remote.

Change the Amp, say a NAP 140

Change the CD

My CD 3.5/FC/72/Hi/140/Intros is really nice now - very balanced.

I'd only go active at this point, really. Though I'd be tempted to hear my system active as it stands now, I'd probably be dissapointed till I upgraded the CD.

Regards

Stephen

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by graeme w

Declan

I'm using an Optimum 6606 glass and steel affair. I know this isn't ideal but is better than the paving slab and house brick job I was previously using. What benefits would I get from using Mana?

Phil

Eventually everything, just so long as I can justify it sonically. Current budget circa £1000.

Cheers

Graeme

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by graeme w:
Current system: 92/90.3, cd3.5, flatcap(attached to cd), all Naim cables, credo spkrs.
Cheers!

Normally I'd agree with upgrading the source first but your system is similar to mine and the biggest benefit I've had so far was replacing the 90.3 with a 140. I think the 90.3 is marginal when used with Credos (although I'd used mine together happily for a couple of years) and really benefits from a beefier amp.

I'd be tempted to punt the 92/90.3 (you should get 400-500) and get a used 72/Hi/140 combination. If you shop around you migh have enough left over after selling the CD3.5 & flatcap to get a CDX as well.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 19 November 2001 by garyi

I got it on good advise that in order to go active, you will need in addition to a 92/90/FC the following :second 90 power amp, The active crossover, and a power supply for the cross over, plus of course a pair of speaker runs and interconnects. If you intend keeping the FC on the CD player you will need another flatcap for the pre, in other words three flat caps. I don't know the current second hand costs but it equates to teo flat caps, a power amp and an active cross over, pricey!

after some argument I was told that to hear a proper benifit upgrading the pre amp should be the next move, moreover the 92/90 although activeational (could that ever become a word) is really not worth the extra bucks which would be better spent on a better pre then in the future a better PA.

Active I think really shoul dbe left in the big box domain.

Just my 2p worth.