Naim SBL 2's

SBL2 - Do you mean the Allaes or SL2?

I'm sure Derek at NAF in Loughborough will give you an on(telephone)line review if you give him a call. I know hes heard both of them a feew times

They are called SL2's. Hi Fi choice has a very good review of them in the September issue.

I think that you would probably want to look at upgrading your electroncs first.

Sorry folks yes I do mean the SL2's!!

NB

i would be inclined to agree with simon, when he says

quote:

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I think that you would probably want to look at upgrading your electroncs first.

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paul darwin said at the bristol show that the minimum recommended power amp for the SL2's was probably the 250. whilst you may be able to "get away" with the 180, the source components may be revealed, and you'd have something of an unbalanced system (£2.5k cdp with £5k speakers).

if you did want the SL2's, you should probably think about adding an XPS and maybe a supercap to your current systme before you think about it. some people may even suggest CDS2 / 52 before you think about a speaker upgrade.

if a speaker upgrade is what you want, then maybe you could think about getting a pair of SBLs? you could pick up a 2nd hand pair for a very good price these days, and no only will they sound great on the end of your cdx / 82 - hi / 180, but will happily show off all electronics upgrades that you make.

(you don't mention what speakers you are currently running, and what improvement you wish to make in the overall sound. that would help people comment in more detail)

cheers

matt

Thanks for that Matt,

I am currently running a pair of Ruark Equinox's and while they sound very good, I cant help but feel I can get a little bit more from the system.

I would like to achive a little more clarity and a little bit more focus in the bass department. Dont get me wrong the Ruarks throw out a lot of bass but i feel that the system sounds alittle closed in and lacks refinement.

I would agree that the 180 is probably not up to the job at the moment and would look to moving up to a pair of 135's in due course. Eventually I would like to add the XPS and the supercap to my system when funds allow!!

cheers

NB

NB

i'm surprised that more people haven't replied to your query!

the general concensus on the forum is that you will get a more satisfactory improvement by upgrading from your source first, rather than your speakers (although this is somewhat flexible, it makes a useful rule).

if you're after more controlled bass, and better clarity, adding an XPS to your CDX would certainly make a large improvement.

are the equinox's the double box speakers (treble / mid units housed in a separate box sat on top of the bass unit)? if so, then you already have quite a back end heavy system. i'm not familiar with the speakers myself, but am sure that they will respond very well to any upgrades you make to the front end.

as i said though, if you do like the "naim sound", then a 2nd hand pair of SBL's would be a very good buy. you should be able to pick up a pair on loot for somewhere in the region of £1300.

cheers

matt

Matt

The Ruark equinox's are a single unit speaker sited on their own specialised stands with the crossover mounted in the stand. They are as you suggest quite bass heavy before you start.

I have heard the original SBL's and have to say I dont like there sound. They are a little agresive and forward for my taste. That is why I opted for the Ruark Equinox's they are more laid back and smoother than the Naim speakers. I have yet to hear the new SL2's in any system but hope they are less agresive than the SBL's.

Cheers

NB

Spending £5k on SL2's may not be best value IMHO. I am with the others here; adding the XPS adressed most of my own reservations about the CDX, giving sharper and more detailed bass extension and also a lovely flowing natural grace to the sound. I do not know the Ruarks but suggest you ought to try the power supply route first before committing money to new speakers which may only partly deal with your current criticisms.

Just a word re SBL-agressive may mean poorly set up!

Bruce

Thanks Bruce,

I have heard the SBL's many times at various Hi-Fi shows held by Naim themselves. I somehow doubt that there was something wrong with the set up!!

Its a fair cop!

What do you think about the suggestions re changing the electronics first?


Bruce

Bruce,

I am always open to sugestions. Part of me wants to upgrade the amplifier first. I am not sure that the 180 is getting the best out of the speakers. I suspect that changing the 180 will see an improvement in controlling the bass.

Ideally I would like to purchase a XPS and Supercap. Change the power amp to a pair of 135's and change the speakers to the SL2's but unfortunately funds dont allow me to do that in one go!!

I am sure that most forum memebers would suggest that I purchase the XPS first, source first theory and I would normally agree. However the Ruarks were a bit of a stop gap after my Linn Sara's gave up and I always planned to change the speakers before making any serious changes to the electronics.

Cheers

NB

NB

have you demo'd any kit yet?

i really think that you'll get the most benefit per pound by upgrading the front end first and i do mean the front (not power amp!). for the amount of money you'd spend on a pair of SL2's, you can get an XPS and supercap, which in the context of your system will be a MAJOR upgrade. this system (CDX-XPS / 82-super / 180 / Ruarks) should sound far better than CDX / 82 / 180 / SL2's. don't take my word for it though, go and do the demo yourself, that's half the fun!

as for changing the speakers before your electronics, i do know what you mean, but try not to get hung up on that. i went from pioneer electronics into castle avons to CDi / 72 / 180 into castle avons and the difference was staggering. i'll be after a hicap soon, and then supercap / 2nd hand 52 if i can find one. then CDS2 (when money allows) and only then will i think about changing the speakers. whilst the castles aren't the last word in transparency, they're doing a good job and are loving being driven by the naim kit. i expect you'll find the same with your speakers.

whilst the ruarks certainly won't be as revealing as the SL2's, they'll certainly be good enough to highlight the front end upgrades you could make.

get thee to a dealer with a stack of cd's and see for yourself!

have fun

matt

NB

JPO is right... give it a little more load before changing them. you may find that the speaker can and will sound different with different electronics.

SL2 hasn't arrive in Singapore yet so no opinion on that.

My SBL were driven by a pair of 135s. Quite a few of us were pleasantly surprised how well the SBL coped when driven by a single 500 or active 500!! SBL can scale.

Regards
Roland

XPS, SC, and prob CDSII before 135's.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio