SN2 Vs NAC 200 + NAR 250 ( non DR )

ok ..

i have an option of adding a pre loved Flatcap XS ( for about USD 520 ) to my CD5XS and i am looking around for a good deal on a CDX2.

If i add the Flatcap XS2 - then i will have some money for a more powerful amp ( Maybe the SN2 or XS2 ).

If i go for CDX2 then i will have to stick around with Naim Nait 5i-2 for some time and then maybe in 2018 look at an SN2 or XS2 or something equivalent.

It would be entirely possible i add a Flatcap XS and continue to use the Nait 5i-2 ( of which i dont have any specific cribs now since maybe i havent heard the XS2 or SN2 in much detail )

what say you ?

too much thinking ? or too much long term planning ?

Audition - is not a possibility for me

:-))

regards

Yep I would grab the Flatcap, sit back, crack open some nice ale and enjoy the music for a while.

FCXS's are readily bought and sold on the s/h market, so there's probably little risk in buying one that's five or less years old in good cosmetic condition. Just be certain it includes with the SNAIC-5, mains lead and original box. With that in mind, you could buy the one you have eyeballed, give it a try in your system, and go from there. If you decide to upgrade from it soon after, you can probably resell it at little or no loss. Pretty safe trial.

joerand,

thanks for your reply.

The USD 520 does not include the SNAIC and i guess i will have to buy it separately.

2 options :-

a. CD5XS ... add flatcap for USD 520 + SCAIC cost

b. Surrender CD5XS and pay USD 4000 approx for CDX2

The question is - will it be sych a worthwhile difference of USD 3500 ( USD 4000 - USD 520 ).

If i get lucky with a pre power combo in India - it is unlikely.

At best i might end up with a Nait XS2 or a SN2 and call it a day

This is where i am now.

and selling the CD5XS + FC XS in India is unlikely - i dont know a market for Naim here ( pre loved buy and sell )

I do my Naim purchases abroad and hence all these questions.

regards

I would just get the Flatcap, upgrade the amp to the Nait XS and then forget about it. Remember that the Flatcap will provide an improved power supply to both the CD player and amplifier and therefore get the best from them. You will then have a perfectly balanced three box system. 

I personally prefer the 5 series CD players, with a Flatcap attached, to the CDX2, but others will disagree. It's all personal and subjective, so it has yo be your gut instinct that decides. That said, if the CDX2 is a stretch financially - and from what you say it seems that it is - you effectively have your answer. 

MPW,

Aha, when you mentioned the price in $US I had assumed you were in the States. Still, even with IC cost the FCXS seems like a decent deal. You're up against a lot of variables with your considerations and I can't speak to the relative value of CDX2 as I've never heard one. Even if I had, what would my opinion be worth relative to your VFM? Some would say you can't overbuy a source. Maybe time for you to sit back and take stock of where you ultimately want to head. Talk of a SN2 puts you in the league of a HC as the appropriate PSU, but then again the CDX2 requires a XPS for its upgrade. All this when you're coming from coming from a Nait 5i-2.

Thank you HungryHalibut and Joerand.

I mentioned in USD as it is easy to understand for fellow forumers here.

Overbuying a source - its a valid point you make and a point worthy of my thinking where i want to go and where i want to end with my limited finances.

I think about an SN2 as it would have enough juice to drive most speakers with ease and then some. In a manner of speaking the SN2 would be a potential end point to take the  "ïtch "out of the equation.

One side of me is in agreement with CD5XS + FC XS + XS2 = and sleep.

One side of me thinks of introducing the SN2 into the equation and sleeping off.

Would the CD5XS + FC do justice to the SN2 when we know that the recommended rig would be CDX2 into SN2 ( and their respective power supplies ) ?

regards

and one more thing - 

Can someone comment on of the Flatcap XS have more effect with the Nait XS ( 60W ) or with the new nait XS2 ( 70W ) ?

regards

Regarding that last question I have no idea. Returning to the previous question, if I was going for a Supernait 2 I'd get a CDX2. They are logical partners, and I like my boxes the same size. You certainly shouldn't get a new CDX2 though - that would be daft. I would contact Tom Tom Audio and ask about a trade in arrangement with your CD5XS if you want to pursue this path. 

are there any non-naim amps - high on musicality - coming to mind in lieu of XS2 but not as high priced as SN2 ?

any experiences on the sonneteer alabaster ?

will a FC + CD5XS be a good source in terms of compatibility ?

anyone here with some experience on the sonneteer alabaster ?

...eeek.... gulp...

I'd go for the Nait XS2 - great amp and well suited to the rest of your system. Always disliked the CDX2 - hard and uncouth and really needing an XPS in tow to sound decent. As for the Sonneteer - ask on PFM. 

I had soneteer alabaster for ca. two or three months. Great amp but I came back to Naim

thanks olek..

would appreciate to know about your user experience on the sonneteer alabaster and what made you come back to naim ?

it could help other forum members too..