What would be the best improve...

An XPS for the CDX - completely changes the player IMO

CDSII, 52, 135's and SF Electa Amator II's

Before you get a pair of expensive 135´s you should get a better preamp first. To run the 135´s you´ll probably need a 52. The Hicap instead of the flatcap would also be a good improvement and quite affordable.
What about a NAC 82 plus Hicap?
Good luck!

Christian

I've just replaced my 102 with an 82 in a system similar to yours. Bags more of want your looking for/lots more music. Next would be an XPS, then Hi/Supercap, then 135's perhaps (well that's my medium term plan anyhow).

Regards,

Steve

CDX/P25/82/Hi/140

IMHO a Hi-Cap or a super cap. This will be needed for a 82 as well...

Hi , my system is fairly similar to yours..
NAIM CD5
HI-cap
NAC 102
HI-CAP
2X250S
804s

I HAVE USED MY 804s WITH 150 AND 180 POWERS AND NOT UNTILI GOT THE 250 DID I FEEL THAT THEY WERE BEING PROPERLY DRIVEN/CONTROLLED.THE SOUND WAS ALWAYS ENJOYABLEBUT YOU KNOW THAT FEELING WHEN YOU ADD SOMETHING NEW AND WHEN YOU PLAY A FAVE DISC AND YOU GET GOOSEBUMPS.ADDING THE SECOND 250 GAVE MORE OF THE SAME WHILST ADDING MORE WELLY AND AMAZING MID UPPER CLARITY.I KNOW THAT I AM ONLY SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF WHAT THESE SPEAKERS ARE CAPABLE OF .GO FOR A SECOND HAND 250.

REGARDS
DP

Cheapest, cheap, not so cheap.

Napsc, Hi-Cap, XPS.

Each makes a difference in the areas you mention, the XPS is a real jump but you are not going to get real value without improving power supplies to the 102 as above, or getting a different pre-amp as suggested-which needs at least a HiCap anyway. The power amp upgrade to 135's id not a priority yet I would say.

Bruce

Hiya

I basically had an identical system to yours about a year or so ago (excepting the speakers)

CDX
102 (NAPSC)
FC2
180
Credos

If you don't have a NAPSC - I'd do that first. I've been told that the latest new one from Naim is quite an improvement....

Next? Well irrespective of 82 or XPS arguments I'd go with a hi-cap. It's a good long term investment, easy to sell on and really makes the 102 sparkle.

The next step is more contentious. I got an XPS and then an 82, but I was constrained by what was available on the 2nd hand market. Now that I have the benefit of hindsight (not that I could have actually benefited from it!) I would probably plumb for the 82 before going for an XPS.

Why? Well the XPS on a CDX through a 102/hi was a major improvement but I think the 82 is quite a big gain on the 102. An additional bonus is that any other sources you have also benefit. Don't worry about the bare CDX being outclassed by an 82 it definitely isn't (until you put an XPS in there are hear what you've been missing ).

The only qualification I'd give is that I don't know your speakers at all. Best to demo the options at home if possible.

All IMHO of course

Jay

Yabba, dabba, doooooo

Get a NAPSC then enjoy what you have until you can afford the XPS.

Bob

If it was my system I would add an XPS first and then look towards replacing the 102 with an 82 or even the new 282.

After that I would look towards a Supercap followed by a pair of 135's.

You will be able to hear a noticable improvement with each upgrade.

Regards


NB