First of all thanks to the fine people at Infidelity for my changed drive units etc.
Last week we have the upgrade done on my IBLs from Mk1 to Mk2.
The changes are:
Changed screws in several places (stands, treble unti holding plate)
Removal of half the wool surrounding the treble unit.
Changing the bass drivers.
The speakers have now had a few days constant use (I left the radio on when I went out as my CD player needs to go to Roksan to be fixed).
The changes are quite obvious and similar in level to adding the hi-cap into my 72/140. There is improved bass control and the treble is more punchy. The overall sound integration also improves as does the soundstage.
The only minus is that it is slightly harsher around female vocals. Time will tell if this is the newness of the drive units which have not fully run in yet (I'll let people know in a month or so).
It is therefore well worth the cost !
I now have to get that 82/250 which I was playing with. Lets hope that the Roksan DP-1 returns from Roksan fixed and not needing to be replaced. The wife did not seem too phased at the thought of replacing it even at £4000 or so. This hopefully means that the 82/250 will be fine if the DP-1 comes back fine; fingers crossed !
Hope this is off interest to people.
Andrew
Posted on: 13 November 2001 by Craig B
Andrew,
Thanks for taking the time to report your findings wrt the IBL upgrades. I have been considering going this route myself, however I haven't been able to get much in way of end user experiences, and at the price of Naim bits in Canada I am not keen on jumping in blindly. I would much prefer to invest in source and eventually amp upgrades, however I fear that Mk 2 parts availability will eventually cease.
I can't imagine how bass control can be bettered over that already provided by the originals. Could you elaborate on this a bit. Also, I am curious as to what you mean by 'the treble is more punchy'. Are you referring to the handling of cymbal crashes and the like, or something else entirely.
I imagine that it will take a while for the new drivers to break in, and that your impressions might change a bit with it. I am in no hurry for an answer but, a follow up status report down the road would be great.
Craig
Posted on: 15 November 2001 by andrew mcmullins
Craig
The bass is more extended. This is particularly noted on some of the Hindi film tracks my wife listens to.
The comment regarding the treble is much more in terms of female vocals which are particularly important to me.
I'll let you know later feelings in a month or so. I do find it difficult to put the experiences into words though. I just get two feet tapping rather than one which is an odd experience !
Andrew
