CD5+112+FC2+250+Intro2 what next?

CDX2, it will get more out of the NAC112.

Oh and I'd go for an XPS2 before even thinking of a 282.

Even then it won't be better than an equivalently priced LP12 setup, and your NAC112 will clearly show the difference.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Linn Binn Sinner

Thanks Andrew.

BTW, you guys cannot imagine how great this forum is, especially for someone like me. Being in the middle east where the choice is limited.

I have been able to order stuff blind (i.e. without a demo) thanks to you all. That's some power you wield.

Thanks again,
Stan

Stan,

I think you are right to owe some credit to the forum, but I think credit is also due to Naim. Aside from the differences between the old/new kit sound, it seems everything the company makes in their range sounds the same. The better products in the range just sound, well, better. I suppose by that I mean that if you like Naim, better Naim just sounds more Naimish.

Cheers,
Mike

You could also:

Add HiCap => CD5/HC/112/FC2/250 (or CD5/FC2/112/HC

then add CDX2 and trade in FC2 => CDX2/112/HC/250

then trade in 112 for 282.

/Lars

Mike,

You are right.

Goes without saying that i would not have the courage/confidence to trust 'only' the forum if i did not love the Naim sound and know that it only gets better as one goes higher.

Cheers,
Stan

FWIW - I'd be looking to pump up the front end. Add Hi Cap to the CD5 or more probably go for a CDX2.

Cheers

Harry

Stan--

Interesting system.

Based on my experience with the olive range, I have to believe the two things you should do in short order would be to add a Hicap to the 112 (I can't believe I'm saying that as a Source-First type...) and to replace the CD5/FC2 with a CDX2. With a 250 you really do need a Hicap--I've heard a 112 with a FC2 v. an olive Hicap and the difference was remarkable.

And as much as I want to say to replace the 112, it IS a damn good preamp and will let you easily hear all the improvements you make elsewhere.

Best,

Bob

Been in a similar position to this (cd5+112+fc2+250) and went -

1. Fraim
2. CDX2
3. 202+HC+PSC

In this scenario, the 202 bests the 112 convincingly, even though the 112 was still very good. As much as I'd like a 282, it is twice the price of the 202...

tim

quote:

---

Originally posted by Julian2002:
stan,
try if you can to get a demo of the kit you're going to buy, you say getting a demo is 'difficult' is it impossible or just a pain in the neck.

---

Julian,
There is just one dealer in the country i'm in. The only Naim demo you can do here is the CD5 and Nait5 with intro2. So we just place an order and he fulfils it. All my kit was bought without even seeing it first.

Speaking from the dealers point of view, there are very few takers for hifi and most of the people are into AV (all in a box kind-cost is a big issue) and the dealer is in a situation where he is not getting new customers and its only people who have naim kit who are upgrading. The dealer is currently renovating his showroom and hopefully there should be more kit to choose from.

So its just impossible to demo stuff really.

Regards,
Stan

Thanks to all the replies, i think the next step would be

1. Buy Hi-cap
2. Buy CDX2 (trade in CD5 and FC2-make it a little easier to afford CDX2)
3. Buy XPS2 (Andrew-i must say if feels quite strange to spend that kind of money blind on a PS)
4. Buy 282.

Would the Hi-cap give better value if added to CD5 or 112? Remember i will still have the FC2. Many seem to favour adding the Hi to 112.

Regards,
Stan

Can't comment on adding Hi to 112 but have added Hi to CD5. Difference was astoundingly good. Don't know how much it would improve over a Flat Cap though. I expect a CDX2, even bare will take it all much further.

Cheers

Harry

quote:

---

1. Buy Hi-cap
2. Buy CDX2 (trade in CD5 and FC2-make it a little easier to afford CDX2)
3. Buy XPS2 (Andrew-i must say if feels quite strange to spend that kind of money blind on a PS)
4. Buy 282.

---

Stan
You need to be carefull about the realtive merits of spending the 2 & 1/2 K on an XPS2 vs a SuperCap2 with the 282.
I chose the SC2 on the 282 and am running the CDX2 "bare".
IMHO the CDX2 is an outstandingly good CD player. I know I am opening the flood gates to discussion ( always good) but I demoed the XPS2 on the CDX2 vs replacing my HiCap with a SC2 on my 282. The SC2 won hands down. I could hear the difference the XPS2 introduced but it was very subtle. The SC2 was not subtle it brought immediate distinct improvements in bandwidth and weight.

When you get to that crossroads I would do a carefull demo of the XPS2 vs the SC2.

I will pprobably be tempted to buy the XPS2 eventually but am in no hurry right now because the CDX2 sounds so good by itself.

regards
GEOFF

GEOFF,

That means

1. Hi cap (on 112?)
2. CDX2
3. 282
4. Fraim/SC2/XPS2

Really feeling the pressure of buying blind now.

Regards,
Stan

Stan,

I've sent you a PT on this subject.

Karl

U were right Karl.

I have replied to you.

Regards,
Stan

<Q>CD5+112+FC2+250+Intro2 what next?</Q>

Sit down, have a pint and listen to some decent music perhaps?

Have fun!

willem

quote:

---

GEOFF,

That means

1. Hi cap (on 112?)
2. CDX2
3. 282
4. Fraim/SC2/XPS2

Really feeling the pressure of buying blind now.

Regards,
Stan

---

Well just to put more pressure on you you have just listed the route I took.
I had a 112/150 & added a HiCap which was an impressive upgrade. The HiCap kinda does for this combo at it's level what the SC does with the 282/250mkii.
Then came the CDX2 and I have to say the 150 did an excellent job since it had been opened up by the HiCap.
The 282 replaced the 112 and was a significant upgrade even on the HiCap.
Next the 150 was replaced by the 250mkii
Just recently I have added Fraim & Supercap2 in one go.

IMHO it is a great system which all fits together perfrectly.
As I said the only missing piece officially is the XPS2 BUT I don't feel I need it, the music is so good.

BUT Please try not to buy blind.The only thing you can fully trust in the end are your own ears!

regards
GEOFF

quote:

---

Oh and I'd go for an XPS2 before even thinking of a 282.

Even then it won't be better than an equivalently priced LP12 setup, and your NAC112 will clearly show the difference.

---

Comparing digital and analogue sources is like comparing apples and oranges.

I'd say that the CDX2 should be the next step, but the 282 should come before the XPS2.

The stronger signal provided by the XPS2 will be bottlenecked into a 112, imho.



Regards,

Steve.

Hi All,

My New 250 arrived last evening.

As soon as i connected it i noticed better bass (a bit wolly though) and space around instruments. I know it gets better. It's now been playing about 12 hours. I'm hearing instruments i have never heard before with the 150. Can't wait till it burns in fully.

One thing which is striking is, with the 150 i could hear the vocals/lead instrument coming dead center (which i liked). Now the voice has sort of spread out over a couple of feet and the whole musical landscape has spread out (which i really like), i guess i need to get used to it. But voices sound so open and its more 'easy' to listen to.

I've read comments that speakers may need to be re-positioned after change of equipment, how long should i wait before i start experimenting?

Also the volume knob levels have remained the same (between 11-12 o' clock)on the 250 and the 150.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Take care,

Stan

PS: A hi-cap and CDX2 are not far off.

Stan

It's interesting to follow your upgrades and sound improvement.

Question is where do you want to go? It's good to put aims for some period. Then the order of buying will be not very important.

A classic system is CDX2/282/Hi-cap/250 on fraim. Next step is CDX2/XPS2/282/SC2/250. I've done both and they are excellent. You can't go wrong.

Did you start with the tweaks?

Emil

quote:

---

Originally posted by Emil F.:
Stan

It's interesting to follow your upgrades and sound improvement.

Question is where do you want to go?

A classic system is CDX2/282/Hi-cap/250 on fraim. Next step is CDX2/XPS2/282/SC2/250. I've done both and they are excellent. You can't go wrong.

Did you start with the tweaks?

Emil

---

Thanks Emil,

Sometimes i feel really intimidated by the level of this forum, so glad (and relieved) that you find it interesting.

I plan to get to CDX2/282/hi/250/fraim. Then see where to go from there, may be new speakers?. But i feel after that it will only be more CD's

Not started any tweaks yet, will wait at least a week or 2.

Stan

There are some tweaks, which can help your system to perform better.

Do you use a hydra? Did you optimize your 'mains'? What about chips under the speakers? What's the length of your NACA5?

There are plenty of tips on this forum.

Emil

Don't know if i can get speaker chips here (what brand?), will check.

Have a dedicated mains with 4 wall sockets for each component.

My NACA5 cables are 5m each.

Thanks,
Stan

I was talking about naim chips. They are very good. You will need them with the powerful 250, when it's fully burned-in.

Emil

Hi James,

I think i own between 450-500 CD's. I am into music and not really into the upgrades for the sake of it (no experience in hifi really). But i definitely want to get the most out of the CD's i do have. Had heard the CDX2+XPS2+82+250+sbl's (around a couple of years ago) and can't get the sound our of my head. Want to get to that point and just sit back and enjoy my CD's . I am enjoying listening to music on this system and the one before.

Did not move any connections, just swapped the 150 with the 250. Will cross check though.

Moved the speakers around and am getting much better sound now. The sound is back to the centre but instruments are still spread out nicely, sorry but can't think of any other way to describe it (wonder if that makes sense).

Take care,
Stan