FC2X with XS

look forward

Had an hour and half playing through some well know track this evening. Try and give my initial impressions of adding fcx2 to cd5xs and nait xs from running these both powered individually. This is nothing new but maybe interesting as each have their own perspectives and preferences.

Changes are obvious to me, not subtle and difficult to pick out but also not a case of I can hear new things on CDs I never heard before kind of thing. Rather, I am hearing well known music in different way. 

My foot has not stopped tapping tonight which I had lost a bit since moving on from nait 5i and neat motive 3 speakers. There is a big improvement in attack and dynamics and momentum, especially on rock music that is so important to me. A better defined and slightly more prominent bass has been a good positive.

The background is cleaner and it is easier to hear and follow musically and generally more compelling.

I do wonder how naim develop each series 5i, xs, cdx etc as in develop amp and source before then building an off board psu to best enhance as stepping stone to next level? Or as I am thinking tonight the source, amp and psu are a single project  with a final tuned sound. 

Only the positives I am looking for as is the case when heading new kit, not sure if what downsides I will pick up after more time if any at all. Hopefully not!

Overall I am pleasantly surprised, hope it continues and have not drivelled on too much here.

ben

Evil Weasel posted:

........

My foot has not stopped tapping tonight which I had lost a bit since moving on from nait 5i and neat motive 3 speakers

.......

Seems to be the main thing   :-)    The Neat Petite SXs respond very well to improvements in electronics IME. 

C.

Indeed, they are quite explicit in a non pornographic way.

wonder how much more can squeeze out of them!

have you settled with them, is it going to be a long term relationship?

Any electronic upgrades temping you? I guess not on the source side, lucky b*gger

I tried a 282 but couldn't settle with it. Got a HC-DR instead. So decent sources into fairly modest amps (by Naim's standards) works for me.

C.

Good stuff

of course it saves you having to try the 250 ��

The flatcap xs will suit your system better - try to hunt that down instead.  Based on my experience with the 5x series I would say the first powerline should go on the cd player, then the flatcap that feeds the pre and amp last.

Hi Hastings 

i phoned naim to ask about the fc2x and xs differences. The xs has some improved components, however at used price of fc2x they didn't think I should hesitate. I guess overall must not be too significant.

i did try just the nait xs powered by   Fc2x tonight and wow! Such a transformation for the amp, it sure  does rock now, my neck hurts now ��

low volume listening is much much better with the fc2x on, happy days.

Now try a HiCapDR

Is it not the amp that goes on first, followed by the FC and then the CD player.  Then the reverse when switching off.

Then again, does it really matter, just switch the main wall socket off.

No, that's completely opposite to what you should do, and yes, it does matter. 

Amp off first and on last.

Thanks for that, I will adjust my listening habits.   Thanks for that.

Hungryhalibut posted:

No, that's completely opposite to what you should do, and yes, it does matter. 

Amp off first and on last.

Quite right ... always turn on components so you are moving towards the speakers ... sources first, then pre-amp (the PSU in case of Naim) then power amp last.  The main reason for this is that you are protecting noisy "thumps" generated as source and pre are turned on from getting to your speakers which could cause damage.

Not quite happy with my FCXS and NaitXS setup.  Somehow the music just seems like its coming from behind a draped curtain.    This is after an initial listen which fooled me into thinking that because its new, it will be good.

New Nait XS2,  new FC XS, new speakers and speaker cable.  Everything  new, so mebbe that was the reason things went from good to bad.

However on checking the back of the setup my interconnects are crap.  Thin cheap gray cables.

A dealer has told me that Chord  Chorus Reference interconnects (£400)  will sort things out.  Anyone any opinions on these interconnects.

staffy posted:

New Nait XS2,  new FC XS, new speakers and speaker cable.  Everything  new, so mebbe that was the reason things went from good to bad.

What kit did you have when it was 'good'? And what is your source(s) now, which is linked to your XS with these crap interconnects

C.

Staffy, change your dealer, he's a numpty.

gary yeowell posted:

Staffy, change your dealer, he's a numpty.

No he's not, but I am for thinking that cheap interconnects, basically bell wire, could  improve my system.  The dealer recommends I use Chord Chorus Ref interconnect.    I am using

Rega Planar 3 TT

Naim CD5 CD olayer

Naim Nait XS 2

Naim Flatcap XS

Chord Odyssey 2 Speaker cable

So, you have a grey interconnect, which came with your CD player that does indeed look like bell wire? You have two Snaic (Black) interconnects, one 5-5pin and one 4-4pin which connect the NaitXS and FC2X? What phono stage and cables are you using, and is your CD player powered by the Flatcap, or amp or both?

If your interconnect is the standard lavender you don't need to lay the blame there.  The flatcap xs sounds terrible during it's very long break in period.  And each "connection" (amp/source) has to be burned in separately.  It will pass, be patient.  Also, if choosing only one connection for the flatcap it should be on the source component for best results.  

Staffy, People are trying to help you here, when was it 'good'?

C.

Christopher_M posted:

I tried a 282 but couldn't settle with it. Got a HC-DR instead. So decent sources into fairly modest amps (by Naim's standards) works for me.

C.

I wonder if you might say a bit more about why the 282 didn't cut the mustard Christopher?

G

Christopher_M posted:

Staffy, People are trying to help you here, when was it 'good'?

C.

I appreciate that..... my initial Naim system, all of 16 years  old including the CD5  I am still using.  But everything else Nait XS 2 , FC XS and the ProAc D20R speakers are brand spanking new, Well....6 weeks anyway.  All snaics etc are good... but two interconnects are not.  16 years ago they might have been state of art.

CD5 to amp is a thin grey cable with  5 pin dins to 5 pin din

FC XS  to Nait XS...the interconnect is a thin grey cable   4 pin to 5 pin din

I have been told changing the FC to Nait XS 2  with a Chord Chorus Interconnect will improve things.

I suppose it was good before I changed everything.  However you can deceive yourself in thinking that it wont sound right till its all run in.

My dealer rang me to ask how things were going and I said not so good.  He advised me the snaics are fine its just the interconnects are not up to the job.

The annoying thing is that Chord only sell 1 metre length interconnects.  They told me that anything less than a metre does not sound good.??    Its only  10" inches between the FC and the amp. so I will end up with 2' feet wrapped around with some ties.

staffy posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Staffy, People are trying to help you here, when was it 'good'?

C.

I appreciate that..... my initial Naim system, all of 16 years  old including the CD5  I am still using.  But everything else Nait XS 2 , FC XS and the ProAc D20R speakers are brand spanking new, Well....6 weeks anyway.  All snaics etc are good... but two interconnects are not.  16 years ago they might have been state of art.

CD5 to amp is a thin grey cable with  5 pin dins to 5 pin din

FC XS  to Nait XS...the interconnect is a thin grey cable   4 pin to 5 pin din

I have been told changing the FC to Nait XS 2  with a Chord Chorus Interconnect will improve things.

Ok, that's helpful. The wire between the CD5 and Nait is fine, assuming it's a pukka Naim interconnect. Between the flatcap and the Nait you should have two black Snaics - one 5 pin to 5 pin, and one 4 pin to 4 pin. You should also have a 5 pin to 5 pin Snaic between the flatcap and the CD5. 

Your grey interconnect (lavender) from CD to amp is fine, superb in fact. You need two Snaics to power your NaitXS from the FC2XS, a 5-5 and 4-4, and you need one Snaic, a 5-5 from the CD5 to the FCXS if you also want to power the CD from the psu using the second supply rail. All Snaics should be the current black style.

Still sounds to me like your dealer is a numpty.

Gary - we are as one.