Recommended upgrade 122x or 152X?

Can't comment on the biamping or whether the 150 is sufficient for the PMCs.  Assuming it is, the 122 is the natural partner and will "fit" better with the 150.  With a flatcap 2x you have a finished system - a rather good one too.  The 152 may be slightly "better" - more hi-fi - but without the same strong synergy that you get with 122/150 you'll be seeking the next upgrade shortly.  If you're starting an upgrade cycle the 202 would make more sense than the 152.  If you're looking to get to a satisfactory "end point" for as little money as possible the 122 is the way to go.

Thanks Hastings.

I am relatively new to Naim, but thought that the 122/150 with flatcap was a good place to start. Can I ask why you would think the 150x might not be sufficient for the PMC's. I Haven't completed my purchase of the speakers yet, but I work for an AV company and we regularly install PMC speakers and I like what I here from them better than other speakers.

I have 122x/150x/fc2x and I do question why I have this desire to upgrade.  Reading this forum doesn't help.

We should always follow our desires Moog.

Can I ask how you have found your setup in use. I don't bi amp with the AV2, just run 1 nap150x. But thought biamping would suit the PMC speakers. 

How are you using your Sonos Connect at the moment?

I would suspect that you are running it into the DAC of the AV2?

If you are then changing the AV2 loses you a decent DAC. The Sonos Connect as a source using the analogue outputs has no place in any decent system unless you are just using it for internet radio and a bit of music discovery.

If you are using digital as a serious source I wonder if a 172/200 would be worthy of consideration and forget biamping which isn't a path that Naim tend to recommend. I expect the sale of both 150's wouldn't leave you much short of funding a used NAP 200.

You don't say what you are using for a phono stage, so you need to consider this as the 172 doesn't have one.

Richard

I still have my 122X/FC2x/150x on Kan 1 in my study and wouldn't let them go for anything. One of, if not the, best entry level combo Naim ever realized. It definitely has a better grip than 152/FCXS/155 IMHO.

Forgive my short view but I don't see the dual 150x for bi-amp. You are better off swapping them for one 200.

Have fun testing and listening!  

Chag -  

That's right trickeydicke. I run the Sonos in on optical. Haven't thought of a 172. 

Thanks Chag. Having looked into entry level systems I thought the 122x/FCXS/150x was a good place for me to start. I was gifted all my current equipment and its enthused me to look at having a better setup. 

Has any one else got an opinion on the PMC twenty 21's running on the 122x setup?

I have used both 122 and 152 in the past, and my experience is very opposite to what has been mentioned here. The 152 is worth the money over a 122 by some margin. More mature sound, better placing and especially smoother at low volumes. Paired with a FlatCap it is a stunning combo that will provide lots of real fun for the future.

Looking at the 2nd hand market, I have seen quite some 152's available against reasonable prices.

Good luck and keep us posted !

Iver

Thanks everyone. Gives me opinions to think about. I'm still leaning towards 122X/FCXS/150X. I like what the PMC twenty 21 offer as a speaker and from what I've heard they are easy to drive although no the most efficient, so I feel the 150X should do a good enough job at the moment. In the future I can see upgrading to the 200 series range but my pockets aren't that deep at the moment. 

If anyone has experience with the Twenty 21 speakers in their system would be nice to hear feedback. 

If it were me, I'd follow Trickydickie's suggestion. I would get a 172, lose the 150s and get a used 200. The 200 will be a lot better with the 21s than two 150s and the 172 doesn't need a Flatcap as it's self powered.  This will give you a nice streamer that will be better than the Sonos. Two boxes instead of five. 

Their are so many options it can get confusing at times. I guess I better look at changing the amps. 

is their much of a maket for the AV2 second hand? 

Sam A posted:

Their are so many options it can get confusing at times. I guess I better look at changing the amps.

Intriguing Sam. Do you slash and burn in the light of a previously unconsidered forum suggestion, or do you follow your first instincts? Please let us know how it turns out.

Chris

Indeed Chris. I have always been taught 

"More is lost through indecision than bad decision"

So let's try this, sell my current AV2 and NAP150X's and go with 202/200 setup with the PMC's. This as I understand it would give me a very capable system that would drive the speakers well and give me lots of listening pleasure with good source components

But leave me with LOTS of upgrade options in the future.

Would that be a better plan?

I think your best plan is to find a Naim dealer you like, and hear a few options, so that you form your own opinion on the best way forward. Then you just cancel the holiday you were going to have this year to pay for it. Easy.

C.

You need to think about what sources you plan to use. I certainly wouldn't be connecting the Sonos analogue outputs into a 202/200. That was behind the suggestion for the 172, as it includes a good streamer. The 202/200 is also really too good for a Rega 3. It's all about balance. Don't forget the option of just keeping what you've got, as you seem happy with it. 

I think you should get clear in your mind what you want to achieve and how much you want to spend. It's easy to get carried away and end up in a right pickle. 

I have a friend who has a Roksan Xerxes into a 42/160 which sounds lovely. He also has a Sonos Connect which goes directly into the pre. 

We were sorting out his speakers last weekend and he put the Sonos on and it wasn't particuarly pleasant. It sounded like a cheap and nasty CD player.

A Sonos Connect into a decent DAC can sound pretty good though.

Richard

Hi Sam I'm running a pair of pmc twenty 21's on a bare nait xs and it drives my little boxes of joy without any problems.I very much doubt you have to worry about a pre/power combo delivering enough power to them,they do like plenty of current but that ain't an issue with naim  power supplies.

Hey SkinnyPuppy71. That's great to hear. 

I really like what PMC produce. 

So I went and had the speakers demoed on a Uniticute 2 and was very happy with how they sounded. The dealer said if I got a 122 to add to my setup 122/flatcap/150 then they would be a good match, but he then said if I had a 202/napsc2/200 then they would sound brilliant.

convieniently they just so happen to be getting a 202/napsc2/200 in as part exchange and could look to have a deal with me. 

So do I find a 122 to add to my setup or change it all out for the 202 setup? 

Ok Sam, glad the speakers are good. Within the context of your sources and your existing NAP150X I actually think the 152XS and FCXS could produce a very satisfying system.

Chris

Thanks Chris  

I haven't considered your point about the source components. As I have said I am relatively new to hifi. I would like to get into it more in the future. Currently I would be using a Sonos connect and a entry level turntable.

So as my original post asks 122x or 152x?

are their many spec difference between the 2. Because I'm struggling to find a second hand 122x.