Upgrade advice needed

Posted by: Den on 07 June 2001

At the moment I am the proud owner of a Nait5 integrated. Cd's are played with a NAD C541 (HDCD version) cdplayer. Within a year I would like to upgrade to a CD5 and a FlatcapII. I have to deside which of those will be the first upgrade. I don't have the money for a CD5 before Januari. I can buy a FlatcapII in September. In that case the CD5 probably have to wait till May.

Which upgrade will give me the biggest improvement? What would you suggest?
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Mike Hanson
Had you had a chance to do the comparison at your shop? If you take your old CD player in, I'm sure that they'll oblige you.

NAD makes "ok" players, and the Flat-Cap2 definitely boosts the performance of the Nait5 quite nicely. In fact, you're supposed to use the primary supply of the Flat-Cap2 on the pre-amp (or Nait5), even if you also have a CD5. The CD5 gets the secondary supply from the Flat-Cap2.

Then again, the CD5 may be so much better than your existing player, that you want it first.

Of course, sooner is always better. If you can't demo it, I would suggest getting the Flat-Cap2 first, and then the CD5 ASAP after that.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Den
I didn't compare the two options. Trying them both at my local store won't be a problem. For the moment I was wondering what will give me the biggest improvement: a CD5 to replace my NAD, or adding a FlatcapII to power my NAIT5. Because for the moment I need to choose. Eventually (within a year) they will both join my NAIT5. To be really honest I would like to buy a Flatcap first because my NAD is only 3 months old. But, if a CD5 will give me a bigger improvement I will wait with the Flatcap and buy the cd playet instead.
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Steve G
The power supply should make a fair difference to the amp, but I expect the CD player will make a more noticable difference, especially as there is likely to be a different character to the sound of the Naim player versus the NAD one.

Which upgrade to go with will depend mainly on how much you like the character of the Naim player. Personally in this situation I'd probably go with the CD player first. Of course you could sell the NAD player and the Nait and buy an older Naim pre/power/power-supply and a Naim CD player.

Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Den
Thanks a lot for the replies. I will make an appointment with my dealer to listen to both the options. I am afraid the cdplayer will give the biggest improvement indeed. The CD5 should be in a complete different categorie compared to the NAD C541 (I hope so).
Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Dev B
>>>Of course, sooner is always better. If you can't demo it, I would suggest getting the Flat-Cap2 first, and then the CD5 ASAP after that.

Den,

Please do not follow this advice. Unlike my Canadian friend I am no self-styled hifi guru, but would suggest quite the reverse. Get the CD5 first.

regards

Dev

ps. I have heard the NAD CD player you own, at my hifi dealer and I would describe it's sound as 'really easy to listen to but lacking in dynamics, pace or attack. If you do as my Canadian friend suggests, i.e improve your ampl, you will merely reveal more of your CD player which isn't necessarily a good thing.

Posted on: 07 June 2001 by Mike Hanson
quote:
Please do not follow this advice

My advice was to listen to the options and decide for himself. I've not heard his player, so I don't know how good/bad it is. In general, though, NAD players are "passable".

However, the pre-amp can do a lot for a system, even with a merely passable source. For example, my secondary system has a Cambridge CD6, which is approximately as good as a Rega Planet. When I listen to this with my 32.5/110, it sounds a whole lot better with the SNAPS powering the 32.5. In fact, it's quite pleasant overall.

So it's not as if the source upgrade is the only good option. Although I certainly admit that the source is most important, it's only a little more so than the pre-amp. Hence, my suggestion that buying the Flat-Cap2 first would be an "acceptable" upgrade path.

Again, his best option is to listen for himself and decide which he prefers.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 08 June 2001 by Matthew T
You migth also want to think about listening to the CDX. You can pick these up second hand for £1500 or less and there is certainly a marked improvement over the CD5/FC2.

Give it a listen.

Matthew