So who has an active system then?

Graham Clarke posted:

Gavin L posted:

CD555/555PS, 552/552PS, 500/300/500, DBLs, 362/Supercap DR, Fraim, Powerline x 3 & HiLine 

Would love to hear Ovators, even if I am not ready to leave the DBLs behind (which are sounding and looking good).  S600's would save on that additional 500 .

 

Interesting to hear that you are mixing 300s and 500s as others here have mentioned that they don't mix well due to the different outputs of the two.  Clearly you don't find that an issue as this is what you're running.

It was a journey, I switch from Kan's to SBLs with a 180 and later upgrading to a 250.  Once hearing active, I was hooked and moved to 2x250.  After some time I decided I wanted the bass that SBLs lacked and switched to DBL.  That was the beginning of an expensive journey!  I added a 300 as I wanted to stay active.  

I can't remember the exact order from there, but the DBLs were revealing and I needed to upgraded the sources - adding the 552 followed by the 555 (this replaced a 52 and CDS3).  From there I started adding 500's, but unfortunately family and housing became priorities came ahead of the last 500.

In the last couple of weeks, I have received back my SNAXO from Salisbury after having the levels adjusted.  I have a strong view, IMHO, that the 300 is better on the mid, so that is how things are now.  I also added a Supercap DR at the same time as the SNAXO change, so it is hard to comment on the change alone.  I can say it is all very enjoyable now - I started another thread on this, so more there.

Gavin L

Nice system! I recognice your story and upgrade path. I also mixed poweramps with very good result on DBL. After 6 pack 135 I added one 500, had 135s on mid and bass then worked my way to 3*500. I always had the "smallest" amp on the bass, sounded best in my system.

My Ovator 600 was great with 2 amps but superior with 3..... but 2 is a good start

/Ulrik

Ulrik, Loving that "smallest"!

Chris

Ulrich, that is interesting - and I wonder if there is a connection with your move from Dbl to S600 and your preference for the smallest on Bass?  I find a 500 on the Bass really gives the fullest sound and most dynamic bass.

I would be interested in you thought on S600 over DBL.

Gavin

Marksnaim posted:

Sondek LP12/Mose/Ekos1/DV-XX2/DV-P75mk3

282/HCDR/HC2/Snaxo 2-4/2x250.5

IBL

Only very recently added the second 250 and snaxo thanks to the DR upgrade pushing down the 2nd hand prices of 250.2. I'd been wanting to do this for a while. I used to have 3x250 with Briks back in the 80's so knew what going active meant. We'll be moving the system into a new rear extension later this year and I'm doubtful that the little IBL's will work there. I had been thinking along the lines of S400 or S600 but every dealer I've spoken to has been less than enthusiastic about them. Really like what the IBL's are doing with the  passive crossovers sitting in a carrier bag in the bedroom so a bit of a quandary. Will have to have a look into the Audiovectors.

 

Mark,

S400s can't be driven actively.  Naim's marketing information is incorrect and misleading in stating that this is possible.

I wonder how many dealers have even heard active S600s?  They do sound quite different from passive.

1. Halloween Man posted:

Solid Air posted:

ATC has just launched active SCM19s at £5k - imagine them with a NAC272. I have a feeling the active market is about to get even more interesting.

yes, i have scm40a and they are spectacular. the new scm19a are even more affordable. these speakers together with hugo are perhaps game changes. naim's nac272 shows naim have identified and targeting the active market.

In my listening room the 40s were too much speaker, but the  19s are superb.   Now I would love to demo the 19 actives with my 252 .. I just have a feeling it will sound so incredibly satisfying. Active speakers appear to becoming fashionable for consumer hifi audio.... about time too...

I currently use a single stereo power amp and passive crossovers... It sounds good, but I am under no illusion  how much a compromise the passive crossovers are  and associated amp coupling is... albeit the physics looks worse than it sounds..

3 Nap 250s, Nac 82, CDS3, NBLs, Snaxo 362, Non naim psu, stageline, Non naim psu,  Nak dr10, B&O 1700 sounds excellent

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

1. Halloween Man posted:

Solid Air posted:

ATC has just launched active SCM19s at £5k - imagine them with a NAC272. I have a feeling the active market is about to get even more interesting.

yes, i have scm40a and they are spectacular. the new scm19a are even more affordable. these speakers together with hugo are perhaps game changes. naim's nac272 shows naim have identified and targeting the active market.

In my listening room the 40s were too much speaker, but the  19s are superb.   Now I would love to demo the 19 actives with my 252 .. I just have a feeling it will sound so incredibly satisfying. Active speakers appear to becoming fashionable for consumer hifi audio.... about time too...

I currently use a single stereo power amp and passive crossovers... It sounds good, but I am under no illusion  how much a compromise the passive crossovers are  and associated amp coupling is... albeit the physics looks worse than it sounds..

 

I'm tempted, I must admit . . . . sell my 172, 200 and SCM11s and buy new Active SCM19s and a 272 . . . maybe £5.5k-ish to find? I fear if I audition, I won't be able to stop myself. I almost hope it would sound bad.

I wonder how many dealers have even heard active S600s?  They do sound quite different from passive.

The S600 was a speaker that when it first arrived Passive - I didn't much like, search my first posts to confirm.
At that time I was on the cusp of getting an upgraded Active set of speakers and told my Dealer that I'd try Active Ovators - if they existed, as at that time they did not exist in Active form. I managed to get a loan of a pre-production prototype from Naim of the under-development BMR Snaxo to try out at home - and a pair of Active S600 to try.

Even with the pre-producton Snaxo (without the 'floaty' sub-chassis) this Active S600 was a totally different speaker. When they were eventually removed after a few weeks home-demo I missed them and their sense of 'life' they allowed in the music - it all sounded rather dead and 'boxy' without them - so I ordered a pair of Active S600. I retained the pre-production Snaxo for a few months until the new one was released, which was rather a lot better still. So I think I was the first person to run Active S600.

I sold them after a few years to obtain the S800 and these have proved more than capable of doing what I always wanted from a large speaker - big sound, deep fast detailed bass and effortless clarity - as well as delivering the music with life and gusto.

I hope Naim retain an Active path for the afflicted!

DB.

My simple, modest & non traditional system: NDS/555DR/555 -> SuperLumina -> Avantgarde Acoustics Zero 1.

Gavin L

I found the bass more articulate and faster with the 500 on treble and 135 on the bass!! I have tried this on different occasions with the same result. The best amp on the widest frequency register. Is sound strange for some but I fond this work.

When I changed from DBL to Ovator 600 I moved them to to a room with a lot of windows along one side wall. I did´t get the DBL s to work and also wanted something that suited the new room better concerning the appearing of the massive DBLs. I think it had been possible to treat the room so they had worked better but I wanted something different. I have never had a room that suited the DBLs perfect, I know this because a friend of mine has DBLs sounding really good in one of his rooms but not the other.  

In the new room I found the active S600 more open, the voices more in the room, more delicate and it feels like the singer is 2 meters in front of me when I close my eyes, the bass was tight, deep and fast. (Even more so with the S800s.) Even with Ovators I find it very important to treat the room, I am not ready yet.....will se how the system develops during the burn in time before I make anything else.

/Ulrik

Darke Bear posted:

I wonder how many dealers have even heard active S600s?  They do sound quite different from passive.

The S600 was a speaker that when it first arrived Passive - I didn't much like, search my first posts to confirm.

 

DB.

No need - quite happy to take your word for that

Interesting story, thanks for the insight!

ULRIKL posted:

Gavin L

I found the bass more articulate and faster with the 500 on treble and 135 on the bass!! I have tried this on different occasions with the same result. The best amp on the widest frequency register. Is sound strange for some but I fond this work.

 

/Ulrik

I've actually been told the same several times - put your best amp on the HF driver.

That's what my dealer says too.  Seems to work best.

ULRIKL posted:

Gavin L

I found the bass more articulate and faster with the 500 on treble and 135 on the bass!! I have tried this on different occasions with the same result. The best amp on the widest frequency register. Is sound strange for some but I fond this work.

When I changed from DBL to Ovator 600 I moved them to to a room with a lot of windows along one side wall. I did´t get the DBL s to work and also wanted something that suited the new room better concerning the appearing of the massive DBLs. I think it had been possible to treat the room so they had worked better but I wanted something different. I have never had a room that suited the DBLs perfect, I know this because a friend of mine has DBLs sounding really good in one of his rooms but not the other.  

In the new room I found the active S600 more open, the voices more in the room, more delicate and it feels like the singer is 2 meters in front of me when I close my eyes, the bass was tight, deep and fast. (Even more so with the S800s.) Even with Ovators I find it very important to treat the room, I am not ready yet.....will se how the system develops during the burn in time before I make anything else.

/Ulrik

Yes, I have found the 500 on HF is also important.  That is why I have the 300 on mid, leaving my other 500 for LF.  I think also DB ended up with a similar configuration at one point?

Your other DBL observations are quite interesting.  Mine were quite unpopular but (household) harmony is mostly restored after moving house and setting them up in my study.  This has a window along the side not too far from the speaker. I don't hear anything "bad" but I expect it would benefit if I was willing to treat in some way - although not planned as the view is good.

I would like to hear active 600s out of curiosity.  With the latest news, the window for that maybe narrowing?

Gavin

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

1. Halloween Man posted:

Solid Air posted:

ATC has just launched active SCM19s at £5k - imagine them with a NAC272. I have a feeling the active market is about to get even more interesting.

yes, i have scm40a and they are spectacular. the new scm19a are even more affordable. these speakers together with hugo are perhaps game changes. naim's nac272 shows naim have identified and targeting the active market.

In my listening room the 40s were too much speaker, but the  19s are superb.   Now I would love to demo the 19 actives with my 252 .. I just have a feeling it will sound so incredibly satisfying. Active speakers appear to becoming fashionable for consumer hifi audio.... about time too...

I currently use a single stereo power amp and passive crossovers... It sounds good, but I am under no illusion  how much a compromise the passive crossovers are  and associated amp coupling is... albeit the physics looks worse than it sounds..

 

I suspect simon curiosity will get the better of you.. let us know how you get on when it does! amazingly there is not a single atc dealer in the north east so i thought I would try the 40a first via mail order and if too big try the 19a. my room is 4m x 4.3m, listening at about 3m. for me it just about copes with the 40a, it is borderline. for a large speaker they do seem placement and room friendly. im hoping the bottom end wont get bigger as they break in otherwise ill be staring 19a in the face. i did agree with the dealer before the sale that i could downsize to 19a if 40a too big but so far so good. the 19a are floorstanders unlike the 19, i think they take the same area space as 40a.

Halloween Man posted:

Solid Air posted:

ATC has just launched active SCM19s at £5k - imagine them with a NAC272. I have a feeling the active market is about to get even more interesting.

yes, i have scm40a and they are spectacular. the new scm19a are even more affordable. these speakers together with hugo are perhaps game changes. naim's nac272 shows naim have identified and targeting the active market.

I guess the Muso and QB qualify as active systems and entering new markets, too.

LP12/Keel/Radical/ARO/Akiva/Linto/HiLine 2x250/ 2xSC/ SNAXO 242/ 52 / IBLs  MANA wall shelf/Apollo Stands

Have had an Activ system for over 20 years.  The sound is vivid.  Adjusting SNAXO is a royal pain--the sound changes from open box adjustments to closed box listening.  Will add additional powerlines to the one I have at present.  Set needs more color especially in violin sound (main listening is opera and string quartets) but funds are limited at present.  

Ira

Here's the 2014 version of this subject 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...75#34934520582442575

I like @Blorbed's system

Jude 

LP12/ittok/Karma/Prefix/Hicap, DC555/555PSDR, Nat03, 552DR,Snaxo242/Olive Supercap, 2XNap's 200  probably  will upgrade this month  to 2X Nap's 250DR, SL2, all Fraimed.

Fabian

Fabian,  I see you have a lot of experience with DR. Have you considered upgrading the Supercap to a new DR model ahead of the 250 conventions?  I have just done this and have been very pleased with the result. 

Gavin

Active system: NDS/555DR -> 552 -> Snaxo / SC DR -> 2x300's -> S600's.

Vinyl front end is Rega RP8 -> Superline /SC DR

I have a trip to the factory next month to demo 500's and 3x 300's, so will be a good opportunity to ask them about how they see the active world panning out.

heihei posted:

Active system: NDS/555DR -> 552 -> Snaxo / SC DR -> 2x300's -> S600's.

Vinyl front end is Rega RP8 -> Superline /SC DR

I have a trip to the factory next month to demo 500's and 3x 300's, so will be a good opportunity to ask them about how they see the active world panning out.

Good luck, with your visit next month!

The OP's visit last month hinted on the same question:

""Commitment to active systems

They do remain committed to active; they recognise the big sonic benefits of such.  They admitted that Naim speakers aren't as successful as their electronics, largely because customers tend to ask for and gravitate to better known speaker brands.  Not clear whether they will do anything via the Focal route, again it comes down to priorities.  We do of course have Ovator S600s and S800s and anyone who has heard a nicely run in pair in an active system will know that they can do the business.  ""

BTW, ask them are those Ovators still in production!!!

Allante93!!!

LP12 Ittok, DV20X Lingo, Stageline, HDX + XPS2, NAT05, 252 + Supercap, SNAXO 3-6 + Supercap, 3 x Olive 250, NACA 5, Naim NBL's.

I hadn't noticed how the Olive 250s were not quite up to scratch until one ultimately made a "frying bacon" sound. After having all 3 re-capped 18 months ago, the difference to the sound was amazing!

Hi Gavin,

Just now I see your post regarding the SupercapDR, I will have to check with my dealer if he has one to bring with the 2 Naps 250DR. If  it can be  done  I will post my impressions.

Fabian