Classic Naim stereo to home theatre, advice on options please

Keith
FWIW I used to have a 5.1 (non Naim) system, but through a change in personal circs moved to a smaller flat and acquired a naim 2 channel system, which has morphed into the one in my profile. I have a Panasonic 42" plasma with a dvd/hdd recorder sitting between the speakers and the sound running via the a/v input on my 552. I don't miss the surround sound at all. The power and clarity through my 2 channel system is excellent, with plenty of oomph in the sound where previously the subwoofer might have been in action.

Why not try your a/v sound through your current system before making any additional purchases?

Keith,

How much do you want to spend???

I went for a relatively inexpensive Denon 2106 for sound processing, and to drive the rear speakers. Purchased a Naim n-Cent and a long chord company lead to feed into my preamp.

While investigating what to buy, my main consideration was pre-outs for all channels as a bit of future-proofing. I had an old NAP140, so this is being used to drive the n-Cent.

Rear speakers are mu old Tamon speakers from my varsity days dumped back to me when my parents recently shifted house. But to be honest, although the foam around the woofers are 50% persihed, still provide a "good enough" sound for rear channel duties. In fact WAF issues would be the only reason to change them

Works a treat, and IMHO HEAPS better than stereo.

Cheers
Pete

Hi Keith
I certainly wouldn't consider junking the lot. My system is along similar lines to yours (CDS3,252, 250, IBL's) and I use a DVD5 and AV2 with a Castle sub and Castle rear satellites powered by an old 140. I do not have a centre channel. Probably your simplest route is to buy an nVi which would integrate well with what you have - you would just need to buy extra speakers for the centre/rears/sub. Having said that,I do sympathise with Chris's view in not missing the surround sound. To be honest, I find that a lot of films with a 5.1 soundtrack do not make a great deal of use of the surround channels. Also, I am a fan of older films many of which have a mono or 2.0 soundtrack. I think I could live quite happily with just a 2 channel set up for movies. Yes, surround IS better, but at a lot of extra cost!

Many thanks for your advice guys. I think I will live with the 2 channel system for a while as its true, it sounds wonderful, has taken a while to collect and I dont want to compromise the music. May just look out for a used nVi when there are a few more around as this does seem the best way forward in the longer term.
Cheers

Keith

quote:

Originally posted by Keith Bliss:
Hi
I have a CDX/XPS/82/250/2xHicaps/SBLs and have just jumped into AV having bought a PS3 and a Sony KDL40W2000. How do I get best use from my system (presumably use it to drive the front speakers) and what do I need to add for suround sound.
Very happy with my set up but would consider selling up and starting again if it didn't cost much extra and still good for CDs.
Should I go the AV2 route and what would I need or should I start again? Or are there any other options? What does the team think?!
Appreciate you advice. Thanks

Your Sony LCD TV must have the pre-amp built in. Go to the menu option and de-activate the built-in TV speakers, re-direct the 2 channel audio output to a pair of RCA audio out found at the back of your TV (probably near the HDMI input). Connect to your NAC82 via a RCA to DIN cable (you can buy from the CHORDS company in England) and you have the 2-channel sound. You can set the volume of the Sony TV using the TV remote control to a high setting and control the volume from the NAC82. I believe that you like the PS3, make sure you update it via internet or you can down load the update on a jump stick and use it via the USB port (see the method posted on the Sony PS3 web-site). After updating, the PS3 can do all kind of up-scaling that others can only dream of.