Harshness & Messing around with Amplifiers

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Originally posted by dave brubeck:
I have a CD5, 72, FlatcapII, 180 into JMLabs Electra 906 - which for the most part is great, if a tad harsh on the ears (some blame the non hicapped 72, others the 180 as the reason for this?).

Anyway, I also have a now redundant Nait 5. Is there any way that I can incorporate the Nait 5 into this system using power section only? Speakers are bi-wirable, but I only use single runs from the 180 at present.
Could such an arrangement assist in removing some of the harshness?.. or should I get rid of the Nait and add a hicap on the 72 or plump for a nice old olive 250?

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This is boring than swapping gear, but room acoutsics have lot to do with how trebles sound. Are you in a lively room?

Also, are your JMlabs have metal tweets? I had a dealing with Utopia standmounts. They are like Wilsons. Those titanium tweets can be unruly and difficult to partner gear with.

Kuma.

The room is 'lively' in terms of tiled concrete floor, block walls, large glazing area etc. however I never had the harshness problem when using the Nait 5 only in the same room.

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Originally posted by dave brubeck:
I never had the harshness problem when using the Nait 5 only in the same room.

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First of all, let me categorically state that your problem is not insufficient amplification. It issue is further upstream.

I've found that the 5-series gear is generally smoother sounding than the classic olive kit (until you get quite far up the olive ladder). That having been said, the olive gear can be greatly optimized by proper setup, dedicated mains, etc. Another thing working in your favour is that the 72 can sound pleasantly warm with an external power supply, but without it it's a tad raw and ragged.

Therefore, the first thing I would try is to use the Flat-Cap2 to power both the 72 (as primary) and CD5 (as secondary). This is the way Naim suggests you configure it, because their pre-amps exhibit more benefit from the external supplies than their CD players do. (In the same manner, 3.5/Flat/72/Hi sounds better than 3.5/Hi/72/Flat.)

Then go about ensuring setup (i.e. a good stand, with proper isolation and dissipation) and at least one dedicated mains lines.

Depending on your budget (which should be helped by trading in your Nait5), your next step should be a used CDX (to match your olive gear), with the Flat-Cap2 assigned entirely to the 72. Next, trade-in your Flat-Cap2 (plus a bit of money) for a used Hi-Cap.

That setup (CDX/72/Hi/180) would be quite lovely. However, if you don't sort our your stands and power now (if you haven't already), then you'll still be plagued by harshness.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Sorting out your mains can help deal with harshness.
During my adventures with mains cables, I tried Russ Andrews Yello mains cables and they smoothed things out but took some of the life out too. There are lots of other cables & mains plugboards available.
Others here go for dedicated spurs.

Paul Rowlands

My existing stand is a Stand Design 5 metal frame/ wooden shelves - it gets mixed reviews.

Would adding glass shelves on top of the wooden ones with the '2 x nut and 1 x ball bearing' assembly between help?

Dave,

I suspect that you mau have the FlatCap 2 & NAP180 too close to the 72.

I would suggest you briefly try moving the power supply & the power amp out of your rack and onto the floor, so that the cables just reach to the preamp & CDP. This will immediately tell you if this helps.

The other thing that is worth trying is to listen to the CDP with no other sources plugged into the 72. This can make quite a difference, especially if you have a TV or VCR plugged in.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne (at) Dial.Pipex.com. Put "Naim" in the title.