Naim / Lynn System upgrade advice

Posted by: stasmurz on 26 July 2015

Hi all

I'm not really up to speed on forum etiquette so forgive me if I'm posting inappropriately but I'd be interested in hearing other Naim owners opinions on a possible upgrade decision that I'm fortunate to be able to make.

Current system consists of an ND-5XS running through a 202 (itself powered by a NAPSC and Hi-Cap) into a 200, onto my bi-wired (with Naim speaker cable) Linn Ninka speakers (which I love for their sound and looks).

My choices are:

Upgrade the ND-5XS with a used NDX?

Upgrade the ND-5XS with an external power supply (I've tried a non DR XPS but despite presenting a more rounded portrait felt it took some of the rawnes away and in turn made the music seem less, err, real) but perhaps an XP5-XS would be a better, more natural partner?

Upgrade the 200 with a used 250 for better control?

Upgrade the 200 with a new DR 250 - better control and possibly something else (including a hefty dent in the wallet!)

I appreciate the need to audition regardless but if anyone has strong views on my upgrade choices I'd love to hear why.

Cheers.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Bert Schurink

Difficult as I don't know the quality of your current source, but would assume the NDX would give you the best result, let your ears decide......

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by Huge

You should also consider adding a Chord 2Qute to the ND5 XS.

As the Ninka are actually a 2 way design, there's no reason why they should be a particularly difficult load to drive (and research seems to confirm this), so upgrading the power amp isn't likely to give as great a return as upgrading the sours and/or preamp.

On the other hand, you may prefer the sonic presentation of the NAP 250, but it's unlikely that the NAP 200 is lacking control of the Ninkas.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by stasmurz

I agree Bert S, that is what I'll have to do for sure.

Nice suggestion Huge - not considered the Chord and your analysis on the 200 vs 250 makes sense.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by hungryhalibut

Naim amps do not like biwiring, so I'd try removing one set and then using links between the terminals on the speakers.

Going to to any form of 250 is not ideal with a 202. You'd be better sticking with the 200 and getting a 282.

But that's for another day - the first thing to do is to sort out the wiring and then address the source. The ubiquitous Chord dac is an idea; another is to ditch the ND5 and the 202, napsc and Hicap and get a 272. Later on you could add an XPS and the system's sorted.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by analogmusic

I have almost the same system as you

NAC 202/HCDR/200/DAC V1.

The first thing I did is upgrade to Chord Hugo, more natural, more analog, more musical.

I have been testing 282 and 202 in my system, and well sorry to say, as good as the 202, the 282 is just better.

The soundstage expands in 3d, you get back to front and left to right expansion of soundstage.

But more importantly the sound gets more spacious and less constrained. Don't know how the genuises at Naim do this, but now I understand what they mean when they say 282 is a taste of the hi-end Naim preamps (252 and 552)

Music is more easy to understand, more clearer. It still retains that Naim PRAT.

Still if I had to live with 202/HCDR/200 and Chord Hugo I could.

But I could not go back to DAC V1 as a source, once I heard the Chord Hugo.

I could have lived with DAC V1 into 282, but not once I heard the Hugo.

I wouldn't bother with the power amp, if funds are limited.

Source first, then preamp.

If you ask me, Chord Hugo with 202 or DAC V1 with 282, it would be very difficult to give up on 282, but source first, I would rather have the better source with the 202.

However I have also tested HDX with Hugo and the HDX is superb musical and wonderful, I could be very happy with it too. Same with Linn KDS/1

the 200 should be good enough to control the Ninkas, one of my friends has them and fun speakers.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by stasmurz

Thanks all

Really useful challenges and advice. It sounds like i need to get myself a listen of a Hugo or 2Qute. As I have neither a portability desire nor a need for headphones the latter looks like a sensible place to start.

Will post back once I've reviewed.

Posted on: 26 July 2015 by DUPREE

I have owned Ninka's and currently own their successor the Majik 140's, they are easy to drive and the 200 is more than enough amp for them. I have driven my Majik 140's with a NAP140 and it was absolutely fine. If you like the speakers and are focused on electronics I would say the NDS is a very good upgrade path - another option is sell the 202 and the ND-5XS and and 202 and get a NAC-N 272 which is in my opinion and others I have spoken with a 282+close to a NDS and really subjectively on par with an NDS when you add an XPS DR. I have the 272, funds have not permitted the XPS-DR yet, but can say it is a wonderful piece and the preamp is better than a 202. Otherwise the NDS/XPS is a great way to go. I am sure I will get scorned, but I find all the worship of the Hugo to be flavor of the day stuff, listen and see if you like it - but to my ears it sounds good and different, not necessarily better.

Originally Posted by stasmurz: