Demo day at Cymbiosys - good time spent

Posted by: antony d on 06 March 2016

great morning spent yesterday - my brief to the them was i wanted to add to my system budget around 5k - so could they demo XPSDR - 205DR - 282

set up my current system in there demo room NDX, 202, HCDR, NAPSCC, 200, Spendor speakers, good start was on hearing the new Spendors (2.5k) my current 2006 S6e's still sound great

so first addtion was a new XPS DR - better depth - bass and overall richness to the sound, but the bass really dominate

second - added the 282 - but with out the XPS and using the 200 this was a far more detailed, right accross the sectrum - better bass vocals seemed to come into there own, the 282/200 combo worked really well - which I was pleased about as 282/250 was out of budget

third - put the XPS/282/200 - yes the "week" link was the 200 - but to be honest it did not lake detail or base - Roger Waters the Wall sounded stunning esp Mother -

final - was to listen to NDX, 282, 250, XPS - worked brillantly - but then Wayne added a 555DR PS - went on to a different level - but way beyond budget but what a system

so the interesting conclustion for me - best single uprgade now - 282 - followed by 250DR - and then take another look - either add SCDR or XPSDR or SH 555

only curve ball will be the addition of a FRAIM - currently have Quadsphire and have been happy with sound, but with the 282 coming in it will add to the sound and also improve my LP12 so go a little over my budget - dont we all sometimes

so plan in place - 282 (on order) FRAIM to follow (this year!) then 250DR - then???.......................................................

great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by GraemeH

Good decision Anthony. I use NDX/NDAC:XPS and have just skipped through 202/HCDR/Napsc to (the much better) 282/HCDR with a 200 driving S400. The 250DR will slot in when funds allow.

Enjoy.

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Chag...

Cymbiosis indeed and Wayne in particular are a great dealer and trader outfit. Open and always ready to accomodate. Great to read that you have had a successful afternoon wih them.

You wrote sometimes? It's all the time!

Chag -

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Chris Dolan

antony d posted:

great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait

Congratulations Anthony - we may have been there at the same time yesterday morning

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by trickydickie

Anthony

The path you are proposing is the same one I have taken, 202 to 282 then Fraim, then 250dr in place of a 200. I changed Spendor A5's to Kudos C20's after doing the Fraim.

I'd make sure you are happy with the 250dr with your Spendors. the extra bass energy may upset the tonal balance, despite the 250 being way more capable.

The NDX is surprising capable on its own. Each upgrade, include the switch from 200 to 250dr has revealed more. Once a source has 'run out of steam' you can find a system takes a step backwards when the downstream components are upgraded but this hasn't happened yet but clearly after the 250 upgrade the source should have some attention.

I'm not in a rush to upgrade my source, I'm just enjoying the music as I'm sure you will do. The trouble is that it adds an extra box, i do sometimes wonder if a little silver box with a silly name could be a viable alternative.

Richard

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by antony d

Thanks Richard, yes Kudos are on my radar, same as you bare NDX is great esp with 282 combo

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by antony d

Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:

great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait
Congratulations Anthony - we may have been there at the same time yesterday morning

Believe so was Peter working his magic on an LP12?

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by analogmusic

Interesting. Did you get to audition a 272 ? Joking, you make a very good decision to upgrade to 282.

I also upgraded from 202 to 282, and the 282/HCDR/200 sounds extremely good to me, I could live with it permanently, it has a very fun and boogie character to it with plenty of detail, Pace and Rhythm, and good bass punch

the 250 DR take this to another level altogether as you heard, but the NDX/282/HCDR/200 system is lots of fun and very musical.

You are right about the bare NDX I heard one yesterday with an old 102/180 system and it sounded very good to me.

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Chris Dolan

antony d posted:
Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:
great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait
Congratulations Anthony - we may have been there at the same time yesterday morning
Believe so was Peter working his magic on an LP12?

Oh Yes

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by MDS

Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:
Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:
great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait
Congratulations Anthony - we may have been there at the same time yesterday morning
Believe so was Peter working his magic on an LP12?
Oh Yes

I like the colour of the veneer on that plinth, Chris.

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

The old fruit box comes in many flavours these days!

Antony - welcome to the 282 club - the end place for many of us!!

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Jude2012

Enjoy the 282, Anthony. Loving mine with the 200 and (even with no HiCAP DR).

Jude

Posted on: 06 March 2016 by Lewis

I've always had great service from the guys too. Nice one!

Posted on: 06 April 2016 by antony d

the 282 was installed on Monday - again Cymbiosis going that extra mile - well about 80 to be honest - Wayne spent a couple of hours on the system which has improved the sound - and as for the 282 well running in nicely - tighter grip - base - overall but at 4k upgrade you would expect that to be honest but delighted - next step will be a Fraim or 250DR

but enjoying the current NDX, 282, HCDR, 200 - spendor SE6e

can't priase Cymbiosis high enough from the Demo through to installation

Posted on: 06 April 2016 by Allante93

The Strat (Fender) posted:
The old fruit box comes in many flavours these days!
Antony - welcome to the 282 club - the end place for many of us!!

If I had to do it again, I would be SCDR, 282!

But In 2015, the 2nd hand market presented a 2014 HCDR @ 1.6K USD, my hand was forced.

In the end, I agree with the Strat, HCDR, 282 is the end place for many!

Cdx2/282/HCDR/3 x 250.2/Fraimlite/Briks

Very Content!

Welcome to the 282 Club Antony!

Allante93!

Posted on: 06 April 2016 by Clive B

MDS posted:
Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:
Chris Dolan posted:
antony d posted:
great service from the team - going that extra mile - 282 arrives in a couple of weeks - can't wait
Congratulations Anthony - we may have been there at the same time yesterday morning
Believe so was Peter working his magic on an LP12?
Oh Yes
I like the colour of the veneer on that plinth, Chris.

Veneer? You are joking! That's solid wenge from Chris Harban. And a very fine example too.

Posted on: 06 April 2016 by nigelb

antony d posted:
the 282 was installed on Monday - again Cymbiosis going that extra mile - well about 80 to be honest - Wayne spent a couple of hours on the system which has improved the sound - and as for the 282 well running in nicely - tighter grip - base - overall but at 4k upgrade you would expect that to be honest but delighted - next step will be a Fraim or 250DR
but enjoying the current NDX, 282, HCDR, 200 - spendor SE6e
can't priase Cymbiosis high enough from the Demo through to installation

IMO you made exactly the right upgrade, the 282 is a wonderful pre. I had exactly your current system (except different speakers) and like you are planning, I added a 250DR. I loved the system with the 200 but the 250DR - oh my you have got a treat in store!

I am sure you will have many years on enjoyment from your system. Enjoy!