How many people have reached their final resting point in their audio equipment?

Posted by: Consciousmess on 14 August 2010

Hi all,

This is a quick survey as I have used this forum for a sufficiently long time to recognise many of your names. I can even perceive the essence of some of your 'characters' from the general tone and the words you use. No doubt you can all do the same - however inaccurate we all are, but this is still human nature.

That is an aside. What I am curious about, however, is amongst you all, who has reached a point in their audio equipment where they feel the goal has been reached?

I know the great appeal with Naim is that you can continually upgrade, but realistically, there are always factors to consider such as finance available, what the other half agrees etc.

All I wish to here back (for the sake of my amateur survey) is:

A) I'm there
B) There's more to come

Thanks in anticipation of your reponses!!

Jon

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Mick P

Jon

I have two systems and I think I have arrived,so my answer is A. I have certainly lost the upgraditus bug.

First system in Lounge is

Source CDS3
NAT01
Garrard 401 / Loricraft plinth / Loricraft PSU80 / Naim Aro + 17D3/ Naim Prefix

Amps 52/300 mounted on Hutter

Speakers Briks mounted on Mana

2nd system in Dining room is

Source CDX
NAT05

Amp 32.5 + Hicap / 250

Speakers SBLs mounted on Mana

I have a second home in Spain and I will almost certainly buy a Naim based system for that.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by GraemeH

Surely both A) and, after a suitable pause, B) are what characterise this horrible affliction!

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by BigH47

A goal has been reached chez bigh, in so much as IF I never upgrade again I'll not be unhappy.

I know I can make the system better, but it does a bloody good job now.

If a 52 comes along (and we have the money) then maybe that will be next.

I have a good balance of CD - LP replay, so probably no more source changes.

LP12/Ittock/17D2/P75/Lingo2. CDSII/XPS/82/SC/250/ SBLs

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Musicmad

I think that, provided I live sufficiently long - and I don't just mean re: replacing worn out equipment - my answer must be B.

I believe my present system is superb ... certainly the best for hi-fi I've ever owned:

CD5x
FC2x
SuperNait
Pre-Ac Tri-Towers (using NACA5)

inter-linked with the AV system using the Unity Gain function.

I'd certainly like to separate the two systems but our house is not large and the present set-up appears to be a good compromise.

But then, about 9 months ago I discovered the wonders of streaming. I'd already taken a liking to the HDX and thought about this being the replacement - in time - for the CD5x. But as a cheap alternative I run music ripped (at lossless) from a HDD attached to my PC through a Logitech Squeezebox Receiver to the SuperNait (optical digital in) and I love the results.

But I know that this is a comparatively cheap arrangement so the urge to improve will hit at some stage.

Also, as many suggest a HiCap as a good upgrade for the SN, and I'd like to see/hear a DAC, I've a feeling that Naim hasn't seen the last of my (or perhaps: my wife's) money.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Musicmad

quote:
Originally posted by Musicmad:
I think that, provided I live sufficiently long - and I don't just mean re: replacing worn out equipment - my answer must be B.

I believe my present system is superb ... certainly the best for hi-fi I've ever owned:

CD5x
FC2x
SuperNait
Pro-Ac Tri-Towers (using NACA5)

inter-linked with the AV system using the Unity Gain function.

I'd certainly like to separate the two systems but our house is not large and the present set-up appears to be a good compromise.

But then, about 9 months ago I discovered the wonders of streaming. I'd already taken a liking to the HDX and thought about this being the replacement - in time - for the CD5x. But as a cheap alternative I run music ripped (at lossless) from a HDD attached to my PC through a Logitech Squeezebox Receiver to the SuperNait (optical digital in) and I love the results.

But I know that this is a comparatively cheap arrangement so the urge to improve will hit at some stage.

Also, as many suggest a HiCap as a good upgrade for the SN, and I'd like to see/hear a DAC, I've a feeling that Naim hasn't seen the last of my (or perhaps: my wife's) money.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by MilesSmiles

I'm very happy right now but more is to come.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by JMB

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by pumpkinhead

My system is a modest 72/140, CD5 and Credo's but I'm very happy with it and prefer to spend my spare cash on motorcycling these days. I had a LP12 for a while but wasn't getting enough use out of it to justify the money tied up in it so I sold it and put the cash towards a new motorbike. I still love music but my interest in hifi has peaked.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Lontano

I am complete for now. I am watching the streaming revolution carefully and at some point will want to integrate some into my system. I will always keep my 555 as a source. However, the roadmap for streaming etc needs to be much clearer for me to want to take part and I need to see more decent hi-res music available. I think I am going to sit back and watch for a while.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Onthlam

I'm fine until Naim comes out with a "SuperQute" or something like that.
MN

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Haim Ronen

I was never aware that the Naim thing was a commute. I am still (since purchased 10 years ago) with my Nait 3/3.5 player so I can safely say that I haven't boarded the bus yet.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by graham55

A - for some time now.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Huwge

C - I'll probably downgrade, once the wife, bank manager, etc. has started speaking to me again

D - Waiting for the lottery to deliver so that I can buy the house next door as a dedicated listening space and where vinyl, discs, etc. scattered across the floor will no be the subject of sarcastic comments

E - Everything on E-Bay, about to sell before new neuro-acoustic implants with intelligent memory render all external hi-fi devices redundant

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by mikeeschman

completely satisfied - replace when broken. If broken, upgrade :-)

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Klout10

I'm very happy right now with my current system, but regarding upgrades: never say never...

Regards,
Michel

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Fraser Hadden

C - Maybe.

I have a top-end olive passive setup (CDS2/NAT01 into 52/135s into Yamaha NS1000Ms, with an AV1 into a 250 feeding rear Mission 760 speakers). Other sources are an LP12/Ekos/Arkiv/Lingo; Nakamichi CR7 and a Sonos ZP90 feed.

The big problem is moving from Olive to New without major aesthetic upset - in particular, there is no 'New' analogue of the NAT-01 - though an NDAC could be slid in, I'm sure.

If Naim would bring out a 252- or 552-level device geared to streamed output - just 2 inputs, say, (DAC and one other) or with an integrated DAC and one other input - I might flog my existing gear as a job lot and start again.

That said, the sounds from the living room, as I type, are pretty damned good. I think I'll go and listen to them!

Fraser

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Dungassin

I've got 2 systems

System 1
LP12/Lingo/Ekos/Prefix/Dynavector Te Kaitura, Naim 52, NAXO 2.4/Hicap, 4 135s (2 CB, 2 Olive), Active Naim SBLs, Naim CDS. plus various other odds and sods including a Nakamichi CR7.

That system is probably not going to be upgraded, although things that break will be replaced as necessary. Recently been recapped and serviced. Sounds tremendous - when I am allowed to use it. Since I retired, SWMBO only allows me limited access to it as it resides in the living room, defined by her as being "her space". In practice that means about 3-4 hours a week (sigh)

System 2
Naim DVD5 (used as transport only), nDAC, DCI, HiLine, NAC282/HiCap, AV2, NAP250.2, NAP145, NAP200, nSystem, Oppo 83SE, Sony TV, various computer game machines and a couple of freeview DVD recorders. Also includes Stax 2050 headphones for late night use.

This system is still subject to upgrades, as it is the one used most often. Likely upgrades in the relatively near future? Unitiserve to replace DVD5, better TV. After all, this system lives in "my space" - where I go to escape her staple diet of reality TV, soaps, etc.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by winkyincanada

Upgrade when it breaks. My ancient 803s are perhaps the first candidates. I sort-of hope they break soon!

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Ian Hughes

I haven't closed the door on the future. However, the last upgrade and all future ones will have to be self financing. Rather than dipping into my savings, other posessions will need to be sold to fund it.

I've found this approach to have two benefits. One, because you can't have it immediately, it prevents impulse purchases that you could regret later. Two, it gives you the opportunity to clear out stuff that you haven't used for a long time and is or will be just taking up house room.

Posted on: 15 August 2010 by Bruce Woodhouse

My main system has been in a real 'sweet spot' for some time and is at a level of performance and also utility that does not make me likely to change. The only drive to altering things would be to adapt to the ways I buy and store music in the future.

I'm waitng for a Qute to build my second system with some nSats I acquired a while ago. Rather looking forward to hearing that little set up.

Bruce

Posted on: 16 August 2010 by gone

Still enjoying the journey. Currently stopped at a good roadside restaurant.

Posted on: 16 August 2010 by Christopher_M

Mostly A.

Jon, where are you with all of this after all the turmoil?

Chris

Posted on: 16 August 2010 by Flame

Posted on: 16 August 2010 by GreenAlex

I'm more into a/v than stereo, but I have reached my final resting point unless Naim does decide to continue down the a/v road.

DVD5, AV2, NAP200, NAPv175 plus all Naim cables and speakers.
Only thing I am thinking about changing is swapping my two subs for two nSubs. But it would have to be two, not just one.

But it's not really necessary and currently doesn't make any fiscal sense. Maybe sometime later when I move the system to a larger, dedicated room.

Posted on: 16 August 2010 by Rosewind

Definitely "B" in the following order (over quite a few years):

Speakers (Rega RS1/3/5/7 or Naim N-sats/Arriva or Kudos X2 or ?)
NDAC (or?)
Streamer (which one?)
Power Amp or Going Active (= 1 x Nap 300 or 2 x Nap 200/Hicap/424).

I'll be in London in October, where I will want to listen to small Regas and N-Sats and Kudos X2 just to get a taste of what to expect them to sound with my Nac 252 / Nap 200 combo. I may want to have my Nac 62 and Nap 140 recapped while I'm there, however, I don't know if this is possible in the greater London area. I'll have to check with ... someone.

Best wishes,
Peter