New S-400 (SN2 NDX/NDAC XPS2)

Posted by: GraemeH on 23 December 2015

Having previously owned the S-600 (with 300/252 amplification) and not got along with them I was braced to be underwhelmed by the S-400 SN2 combination. My main problems with the S-600, which no amount of tweakery resolved, were a certain 'shut-in' character and an uneven, disconnected light bass. I tried with them for about a year before giving up -assuming it was a 'room issue'.

Getting the S-400 set-up earlier today was fun. Aided by my son (just back from 1st semester at Uni) we had a 'man morning' of the sort he would normally laugh at me for. Unpacking and positioning between the two of us was a dawdle. They have been set up in the space previously occupied by the little PMC Twenty.23 until my spike shoes arrive tomorrow and I can properly level and adjust the positioning - so real 'plonk and play' temporarily.

How do they sound?

Bloody marvellous! A much better balanced loudspeaker than the S-600 ime, to the point where (cliche alert) the latter sounded broken by comparison (I warned you). Sonically they disappear - and I like that. The music is just there; vocals are noticeably more natural and full range, bass is plentiful but controlled and tuneful and the top end clear. Imaging is spot-on - and I like that too. My hunch about the PMC's constraining the sound following the firmware update I sense has proved correct.

With the 'new' NDAC I'm very pleased to have returned to an 'all naim' signature sound...oh, and the TQB cables still work a treat!

Happy holiday's all!

It's 'play and plonk' time for me...

Graeme

Posted on: 26 December 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

gary yeowell posted:
Don't underestimate sample variations. I now have a Supernait 2 that is better than a previous one. Both were roughly the same age and i had the opportunity to compare the two, before selling my original one without loss.

Gary you are so right.. That is why I try and buy the exact same model I listen to.

I have once bought a brand new NAP250.2 that just didn't sound right to me.. I got it replaced and the second brand new 250.2 was right for me.. I have also heard sample variations with NDS, 555PSDR and (just to show it happens to others) Chord Electronics Hugo... and again with this Hugo I swapped a new device with another new device and the second sounded best for me..as it was closest in sound to what I had auditioned. Gary perhaps we are just fussy?

Simon

Posted on: 26 December 2015 by Hook

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
...Gary perhaps we are just fussy?
Simon

Not sure about Gary, but your avatar's raised eyebrow suggests you are very much so!

Cheers S-i-S - hope you are having a wonderful Boxing Day!

Hook

Posted on: 26 December 2015 by MDS

GraemeH posted:
I've run the S-400 with a great variety of genres through them now & from 'Classic FM' to Led Zeppelin and I can stand by my 'bloody marvellous!' first impressions. All nicely levelled on spike shoes now and in the same position I had from the off.
They just work beautifully!
G

Time for pictures then, Graeme?

Mike

Posted on: 26 December 2015 by GraemeH

It's been a busy time at the G household and bloomin' dark to boot! Will see about getting some shots tomorrow.

'Buena Vista Social Club' on just now. It's an album I know really really well and the S-400 has opened it out a treat - such depth too. The voices all beautifully differentiated and 'right'. The speed and drive is positively addictive too.

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

https://flic.kr/p/C7QFyE

Have not grasped how to post the actual pics but that link will take you to them if interested.

Cheers

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by gary yeowell

Right choice of speaker finish for your room Graeme. Lovely.

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Thanks Gary.

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Adam Zielinski

Good colour! Le Corbusier would be proud

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Adam Zielinski posted:
Good colour! Le Corbusier would be proud

I just need Charlotte Perriand lying on it!

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Adam Zielinski

Classic pose, feet up, I presume?

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Adam Zielinski posted:
Classic pose, feet up, I presume?

Of course!

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Allan Probin

Very nice Graeme. if/when I decide to replace my Allaes, these would top of my list

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Thanks Alan.

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by MDS

Thanks for pictures, Graeme. The 400s certainly look the part and seem to suit the flooding in your room. Not sure what you've done to your poor little dog though. I seem to recall he looked much better in some of your earlier pics.

Mike

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by nbpf

GraemeH posted:
https://flic.kr/p/C7QFyE
Have not grasped how to post the actual pics but that link will take you to them if interested.
Cheers
G

Great shots there! Thanks for sharing, nbpf

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

Graeme, it's really time you mastered this picture thing.

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Tony2011

There you go, Graeme.

Congrats once again!

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

Well done Tony, I couldn't get it to work - though it took you at least four attempts!

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Tony2011

Hungryhalibut posted:
Well done Tony, I couldn't get it to work - though it took you at least four attempts!

Two actually!

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

Graeme - how does it feel to be back from the Dark Side? Out with the PMCs, the Hugo and those funny little reclocking thingies, and back with a Naim Dac and Naim Speakers. The grass is often greener elsewhere, but not necessarily better as I too have discovered. Now for some Super Lumina cables?

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Don Atkinson

GraemeH posted:
https://flic.kr/p/C7QFyE
Have not grasped how to post the actual pics but that link will take you to them if interested.
Cheers
G

Graeme,

In Flickr select your desired photo

Click on the curved arrow (usually bottom right) to "Share"

Copy the HTMLembedded link by right clicking. (you might have a choice of HTMLembedded or BBCode or other code)

Back in the forum - click the "< >" symbol which reads "Source Code" on the right hand end of the "Add Reply" tool bar. This should bring up and empty looking page.

Paste your HTML Code into the page and activate it by pressing "OK"

That's what I did for the picture below

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Don Atkinson

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Don Atkinson posted:
GraemeH posted:
https://flic.kr/p/C7QFyE
Have not grasped how to post the actual pics but that link will take you to them if interested.
Cheers
G
Graeme,
In Flickr select your desired photo
Click on the curved arrow (usually bottom right) to "Share"
Copy the HTMLembedded link by right clicking. (you might have a choice of HTMLembedded or BBCode or other code)
Back in the forum - click the "< >" symbol which reads "Source Code" on the right hand end of the "Add Reply" tool bar. This should bring up and empty looking page.
Paste your HTML Code into the page and activate it by pressing "OK"
That's what I did for the picture below

Brilliant - Thanks. It seems the problem is I can't copy the whole link on my iPad so I'll try my PC tomorrow.

Graeme

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Tony2011 - Thanks very much indeed for posting my pic. Much appreciated.

Graeme

Posted on: 27 December 2015 by GraemeH

Hungryhalibut posted:
Graeme - how does it feel to be back from the Dark Side? Out with the PMCs, the Hugo and those funny little reclocking thingies, and back with a Naim Dac and Naim Speakers. The grass is often greener elsewhere, but not necessarily better as I too have discovered. Now for some Super Lumina cables?

Al that frippery served a purpose at the time HH but I'm absolutely delighted that the NDAC/XPS2 has now surpassed all that and is delivering the sound I want - much neater all round.

The S-400 really are brilliant with the SN2 and the above source - a marriage made in heaven in my room that I'll be happy with for some time.

Graeme