I'm back!

Of course!

I believe it is possible to bridge the B300 to run as a monoblock. Now the B300 is a mean mother of an amp with loads of power in reserve so I find it odd that you have problems with grip...

But the more musical upgrade is the CDX. I was quite enthralled by a CDX (which I haven't heard on its own for a while) on Saturday, playing into a system that really deserved a CDS2. The CDX was just sweet as a nut, and soooo much better than the CD5 I had on earlier.

Regards,
Frank.

Last year I borrowed a B400 and found it rather dull and uninvolving. It had a big soundstage, a big bass and was very smooooooth! Macro-dynamics were good, but it lacked that involvement factor.
The CD5 was more involving - better leading edges, although perhaps a little restrained - that is - until I added a Flatcap 2. The CDX is in a totally different league. As for comparisons between a CDX and a B400 they are a complete joke!
Densen amps, I love 'em. Their first attempt at a CD player however needs much improvement. If Thomas Silesen manages to keep the company going as a sole trader it may yet happen!

Steven

Notice you have a pair of Rega Naos. What are they like? When you purchased them did you trial them against other speakers. If so, which ones and why did you choose the Naos?

Jay

Jay,
Have you checked them out on Rega's new website?
www.rega.co.uk
Suitable for large rooms does not necessarily mean UNsuitable for small rooms btw.To be totally honest, when I bought them, February last year I had only heard the likes of Linn Keilids, which to me lacked midband expressiveness. Female vocals lacked the seductiveness that the Naos' had in spades. At the time I didn't really understand the concept of timing, as I had never really heard a system that did it properly, until I heard the Naos' in an all-Rega system in the small demo room at Stafford, a Linn dealer at that!. They sounded very agile in the bass, were dynamic and fast. They were also a little on the warm side of neutral making the timbres of guitars, bows across strings, clarinets and brass instruments very pleasing.
I didn't really hear what the Naos's could really do until I went down the Naim/Densen route for my electronics. They really showed their musical coherence on the end of CDS2/52/250.
As for alternatives that I have since tried:
1) Ruark CL20
Better drive in the bass than Naos but they are a third more in price and rather insensitive at 87 db/w/m. Even with a Densen B300 amp I was pushing the volume control as far as it could go. Compared to the Naos it was like going from a 100w amp to a 30 watter!
2) JM Lab 816
Fast and furious with great bass drive, high sensitivity and loads of detail. A little bit metallic sounding though. Slightly cheaper than the Naos with real wood finish. They work well with Naim CDX/82/180.
3) PMC FB1
Very similar in balance to the Naos. Slightly better bass drive. 1400 quid though.
4) Credos
If that's your thing, go for the JM Lab 816 and put the price difference towards your next upgrade.
5) B&W CDM7 NT
Lovely midband and treble. Let down by an overhanging bass. Not really PR&T.
6) B&W CDM 9 NT
Cure the bass problem of their baby brothers, but cost another 550 quid.

Steven

Thanks for the link and your comments. I'm beginning to think about replacing my Intros and noticed that my dealer had a pair of Naos in stock. I've always liked the natural tone of Rega speakers I've heard in the past.

I'm at a bit of a crossroads with my current set-up CD3.5, Flatcap2, 72, 180. There seem to be a hell of a lot of options to consider. CDX, 102, Hicap, Fraim, new speakers, new/used, where does it end!

My system sounds absolutely fantastic 95% of the time ......but with some discs, albiet those a little bright in nature (usually indie and rock), the sound starts to get a little congested and kind of thin/flat? Still pumps along but it almost feels like there's too much information. My course of action at the moment is to turn it down little.

On some downbeat or dance music basslines are very well defined but a little bottom-end welly seems to be missing.

I'm not considering doing anything in a hurry, bonus isn't still July anyway! Any advise in anticipation would really be appreciated.

Jay

Jay,
Intros are great speakers but I find they lack the naturalness you speak of. Their bass, whilst not woolly and overhanging is a little strident IMHO. I also find that the CD3.5 does tend to present a caricature of the music which can get a little wearing after a while. I have not heard the NAC72. (I believe the 112 is its replacement.) It could be the bottleneck for your 180. Try a 102 or even an 82 if budget allows.
The CD5 is better than the 3.5 - more wholesome and organic, less of a caricature, but it would be madness to sidestep. You need a CDX.
As for speakers, your tastes seem to be similar to mine. Try the Naos'. If they are set up properly, and only if, they will be stunning. Place them 30cm from rear walls, more if in a small room, and as far from the side walls as you can. Rega says 20cm from rear walls, but I find vocals tend to thicken in this position, too much bass overhang. Do not toe them in. Do not place them 2m apart as Rega suggest. I would suggest a maximum of 1.7m apart with the offset tweeters closer to the centre of the soundstage - more 3D!

[This message was edited by Steven Toy on TUESDAY 01 May 2001 at 12:32.]