Sound Edge

Philip, goes against what is normally done but have you tried listening with the speaker covers on - another option to try is replace the links between cable terminals (if possible) with cable preferably the same as your speaker cable.

Note you say this characteristic existed with the previous system so the above might not make much of a difference especially since the D30r has a reputation for being somewhat ruthless on poor recordings (and the S6e can be a touch bass light) but Naim amps should keep both in check so it might be down to how your speakers interact with the room as others have suggested if all was ok at the dealer.

Sloop John B posted:

Guys I think we are missing the elephant in the room here. 

I believe the next Panorama Investigates program with expose a  sound emissions software chip that Naim have installed in all their amplifiers. These can be dealer set up and modified. They have been present for years, the first and most rudimentary caused sound to have an edge after 8 years and thus owners had them recapped. Over the years they have become more sophisticated and can be even controlled remotely. Panorama will exclusively expose how a new very expensive cable had in fact negligible difference on the sound of the system that it is the remote activation of the Statement chip that is the cause of the apparent increase in sound quality. 

Panorma will disclose that a Nait XS with the statement chip removed or remotely activated to it's optimum capacity are sonically indistinguishable from their high end statement  amplifier. 

Many enthusiasts have had their doubts about Naim sound quality in recent years with many thinking the Nait 2 has never been bettered. The Panorama exposé explains this conundrum as the Nait 2 apparently was the last Naim amplifier not to have a chip added. 

Rather ingeniously the internal chip recognised when tweaks were being done to a system, so if burndy cables and interconnects were removed and the amplifier unplugged and moved, the software chip upgraded the sound slightly so when it was powered up again the cable dressing or Fraim reassembly was seen (heard) to have a positive effect. 

Most controversially there was a joint agreement in place for a few years with chord cables where the chip recognised when a chord cable was plugged in and immediately released some of the repressed sound. There are rumours that this situation is strangely mirrored by ferrite chips with the Naim sound emissions chip recognising them as a partnered product and releasing some of the repressed sound  

must set up the program to record  

 

SJB

A few weeks after I got my naim amp I started to notice big shift in sound signature. More then you would expect from burn in time. I then scanned the Web and found dozen of reports of exactly the same shifts. My second naim does that too and a demo I took home last year did it too. Few days back I was bored of the too smooth and round sound so I changed speakers cables. Sound immediately became energized and powerfull. I reported it on the forum. For heating reason I didn't let the kimber on and put the a5 back. To my surprise the sound stayed energized! Im reluctant to talk about that cause it sounds crazy. It could be anything and to be honest I never disregard a possible explanation. 

musica posted:

It is now four years since I purchased my first Nain system. NDX/Nait XS/Spendor s6e speakers. Since then I have upgraded the amp to Supernait 2 and the Speakers to Proac D30R. I use the standard Nain interconnect and NAC 5 cable. I have really enjoyed this system. My reason for choosing Naim was for the Prat factor which it certainly is provided by this system. However there is one slight issue I have had all along is that there seems to be a slight hard edge to the sound somewhere in the upper mid region. It is certainly over a very narrow band. It could of course be my hearing or even on the CD's. I wonder if anyone else with a similar system has noted a similar issue. I would be interested to know if they have.

philip

Id like to look at the frequency response curve of the d30r. Upper mids is the crossover. I have some proacs and seen a few measurements of proacs and found out that the frequency is slightly recessed in that area to avoid overlapping and the highs have a rise to give soundstage and air. That makes me think it's room or position or both. 

Thank you for your replies. I have now tried moving the speakers and listening at different distances but this has made no change. What I have now done is to borrow my sons Sennheiser HD800 headphones and Graham Slee headphone amp and connected this to the line out on the Supernait 2. What I have now discovered is that the sound problem is evident even at this point. This suggests to me that the problem at the NDX point or on the original CD's. Or as Simon has suggested RFI noise.

philip

Try changing the interconnects. Try a pair of rcas even

Philip,

By deduction then the problem is as you say with the source.  I doubt it's your data files - so can you ask your friendly neighbourhood Naim supplier if you can borrow an XPS?

I really do not think this a problem with the interconnect.  The standard Naim wire is really good.  Happy to be wrong of course. 

Absolutely, if you've got the cash, get an XPS. Currently saving for one myself! 

I could be wrong but isn't there supposed to be an edge to the sound of your system.

Naim is often cited as having a leading edge emphasis, giving a faster more exciting presentation. 

I love my Naim gear and sometimes wish there was more "edge". Then again this appears to be more to do with particular recordings, mastering etc.

Judging from the dac in my superuniti, it's a warm smooth sound. Something is wrong, call your dealer.

musica posted:

Thank you for your replies. I have now tried moving the speakers and listening at different distances but this has made no change. What I have now done is to borrow my sons Sennheiser HD800 headphones and Graham Slee headphone amp and connected this to the line out on the Supernait 2. What I have now discovered is that the sound problem is evident even at this point. This suggests to me that the problem at the NDX point or on the original CD's. Or as Simon has suggested RFI noise.

philip

Excellent idea to try headphones.  I repeat: what rack or shelving do you use?  Vibration or micro-rattle can cause the "edge" that you describe, as can an imperfect four-point contact of speakers to the floor.  (one of several, above-suggested sources for "edge").

Charlie