Upgrade advice please

Posted by: Ben Giles on 25 August 2003

Have lurked on and off for some time. I've got to the stage with my hifi where I'm a little disillusioned with the experience.

I have a CD3.5, Nait3R working as a pre-amp and a NAP90 driving Neat Mistique 2s via Chord Rumour cable. I've gradually found the setup more and more underwhelming. This is possibly partly due to the fact that I'm a film editor and spend a fair amount of time in dubbing theatres and am used to hearing large, controlled and detailed sound systems.

So it's time to upgrade. Having heard my brother's Rega and B&W 502 system, I went to a local dealer yesterday and listened to various combinations of Rega components and PMC TB1s, thinking my "budget" Naim system wasn't up to it. But actually the difference was fairly minimal, apart from a slightly more pronounced and musical midrange. But it wasn't until I tried the Exon monblocks that I began to feel the kind of heavier welly and control I'm after. But the sound certainly wouldn't justify an outlay of another £2000 (part ex-ing my gear aginst brand new Rega components).

So to cut a long story short, I returned home and had a listen to my setup. When cranked up, the welly was all there, but the midrange became confused. I'm wondering if the Neat Mistiques are letting the rest of the system down.

Does have anyone have opinions and advice on the best upgrade path? I'm going to stick with the Naim gear and am considering trading in/selling privately the 90 for a 180 and continuing with the NAIT3 (92) pre-amp. I liked the clarity and authority of the PMC TB1s but don't have any experience of using them with Naim amps - can anyone suggest a similar/better floorstanding speaker?

Also, would a flatcap power supply improve things drastically at this time?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Ben.
Posted on: 25 August 2003 by effinity
Ben,

Cost effective Naim route would be:

Hi Cap for CD 3.5
Older NAP 250 (Svcd if poss)
72 Pre amp if not fussy about remote/102 w/napsc if you are.
Hi Cap for Pre amp

Some real bargains around right now, should be able to obtain 2 x hi caps for 8 - 900, 250 for 7 - 900, 72 for 280 - 400, 102/napsc 550 - 700.

Sell your current Naim gear and you should'nt be far off your 2k outlay, having gained welly and control. Your speakers may just surprise you too, especially if you treat them to some Naim 05 speaker wire.

Steve
Posted on: 25 August 2003 by Emil F
Ben

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know, if the amp can drive your speakers well, but Flatcap2 will help here a lot. Please, note that NACA 5 is a must!

Emil
Posted on: 25 August 2003 by David Stewart
I'd certainly try changing the speaker cable, although not necessarily to NACA5 as, contrary to popular belief (on this forum anyway), A5 is not a universal panacea with all speakers Smile

I had similar experience with Rumour2 and found it just lost the plot completely. It's worth trying NACA5 (borrow a set from your local Naim dealer). If it doesn't work, try something else. QED Silver Anniversary works for me, but you have to be careful with cable length to stay inside Naims recommended impedance figures.

David
Posted on: 25 August 2003 by Phil Barry
I would ordinarily want to try a PSU in this case, since I think the problem is probably at the source end.

Perhaps Paul or Richard or Doug could comment: A Nait 3R used as a preamp would seem to have a beefed up PS compared to a 92 or a Nait - is that so? And how does that extra beefiness compare to a FC, FC2, or HC?

Regards,.

Phil
Posted on: 25 August 2003 by Ben Giles
Thanks for your advice so far, everyone. PSUs seem to be a consistent thread. Is there a distinct advantage with the Hi-cap over the Flat-cap?

TIA,

Ben.
Posted on: 27 August 2003 by effinity
Ben,

Good opportunity for you if you are open to it!

See www.hififorsale.com check the 250 for sale by wmutty@aol.com also see his pre amp and psu - can vouch for this person, know him from PFM

Steve
Posted on: 27 August 2003 by effinity
Ben,

This link more direct

http://www.adverts.hififorsale.com/results.asp?dbfield=All&dbsearch=naim&Submit=Search

S