Olive to Black (Box Count) Advise

Posted by: fuego on 22 November 2016

Hello all

I’d like some advise on a system change and felt the need to get some advise of people that may be in the know.

At present I’m running a turntable system of Rega RP10 (poss with Aria) through a 72/hicap/135’s passive through SBL’s MK2.

And although it sounds great I feel it’s time to modernise the system with some new technology and to lower the box count.

My aim is to run a turntable/streamer system and keep my cd 3.5/flatcap for cd playback.

I’m settled on the RP10 as my main source and looking to get a pair of Spendor D7’s to replace my ageing SBL’s.

So to my question for your consideration.

I’m looking to possibly look at making the change from Olive to Black series.

My requirements are that I want to go to a two box system if possible and not necessarily looking at the upgrade route in the future and a good internal headphone amp would be nice.

So my options are either a Supernat2 and ND5xs OR Nac-N272/200DR – these seem to be the logical choices as they’re are within £100 retail from one another retail.

The reason for the advise is simply that although I can demo them in a shop environment it’s a bit more difficult to try both options at home and would like to see if anyone has made the comparison

And better still see if one option comes out substantially more favourable than the other or indeed If you think I should stick with the Olive series.

I must stress that I’m not looking for future upgrade paths as – so it’s about limiting the box count where possible.

Any advise would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Posted on: 26 November 2016 by joerand

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:
The hybrids and integrateds offer great performance at a good price point... the seperates go further but for usually more money and more real estate.. I really would look at them at different paths on the evolution tree. Both options are great for different types of user and market

Fully agree Simon. I made a dedicated decision to stick with integrateds upon getting into the Naim game. I've always had integrateds and their relative simplicity makes sense to me beyond any SQ gains with separates. Integrateds reduce box count, associated shelving, interconnect and power cord management, and have always been the obvious VFM choice for me. So maybe it's best to buy into to one camp or the other from the get-go and otherwise useless to directly compare integrateds versus separates on purely SQ merits.

Posted on: 26 November 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Absolutely Joe

Posted on: 05 December 2016 by fuego

sjw98 posted:
Hi fuego.
Admittedly not quite the same setup but I traded my 82/hc/250 for a supernait2 as I wanted to lower box count and have something that "worked" atheistically with my cd5xs.
Did I love the supernait2 - yes - it's a wonderful bit of kit and gives you all the punch and naim sound from a modest single box....
Was it quite up to the previous combo - no. The 82/hc/250 is the best setup I've owned and had all the emotion and sparkle you could wish for.
But was I disappointed - absolutely not. I suspect you're journey won't be dissimilar.
(I then paired my SN2 with an NDX and that was awesome as a combo but then had to sell for various reasons and then a whole world of Devialet confusion started (see other post) but am on the way back!)
steve

Hi Steve

Well after much thought I think I've come to the realisation that I'm going to struggle to achieve a lower box count and if I were to go black then it'd lightly be a pre/power with separate streamer which then questions how many less box's I'd achieve and would it better my current Olive system, as I type this listening to Elbow I think for now it'd probably be cost effective to hold tight and wait until Naim bring out the next generation.

Looking at the black series feel I'd need 282/SC/300 which would cost a fair and would still carry a fair box count before I get to adding a streamer, so its lightly I'll need to look at the rack situation for now

thanks for your input

Posted on: 05 December 2016 by fuego

dayjay posted:
If it were NDX/SN2 v 272/200 I would say it's a matter of taste and future upgrade choices, however, if it is the ND5XS with the SN2 personally I would choose the 272/200

Hi Dayjay

I think you're right in terms of the original question but feel I'm going to struggle on sound quality so looking to stay put for now until the next generation and then re-think my situation

thanks again

Posted on: 05 December 2016 by fuego

trickydickie posted:
Sell the CD player and flatcap, change to 272/XPS2 into 135's. You don't need a CD player as well as a streamer if box reduction is the driver.
I've heard all the components, just not together but I reckon it would work very well and only 4 boxes!
I would deal with the speakers separately and after careful consideration, don't limit yourself to just the D7's.
Richard

Hi Tricky

As you've probably read I'm leaning on sticking with the Olive series for now as I'm going to struggle to get what I want without spending a lot.

When it comes to replacing the speakers I'll certainly have a closer look at a few but feel the D7's really offer the full package and the fact they're not fussy to place is a bonus but I take on board our advice

Posted on: 05 December 2016 by fuego

ryder. posted:
sjw98 posted:
Hi fuego.
Admittedly not quite the same setup but I traded my 82/hc/250 for a supernait2 as I wanted to lower box count and have something that "worked" atheistically with my cd5xs.
Did I love the supernait2 - yes - it's a wonderful bit of kit and gives you all the punch and naim sound from a modest single box....
Was it quite up to the previous combo - no. The 82/hc/250 is the best setup I've owned and had all the emotion and sparkle you could wish for.
But was I disappointed - absolutely not. I suspect you're journey won't be dissimilar.
(I then paired my SN2 with an NDX and that was awesome as a combo but then had to sell for various reasons and then a whole world of Devialet confusion started (see other post) but am on the way back!)
steve
Although you find the Supernait 2 to be not quite up to the NAC 82 / Hicap / NAP 250 standards, you can still live with the former and enjoy what it does in the system. That is an example of good management of expectations. Some people may not be able to settle for something lesser, just saying. But in this case, I understand it's a lower box count that takes precedence over sound quality. Perhaps the (sound) gap between the Supernait 2 and separates is not too large to begin with, and that may have helped too.

Hi Ryder

I believe I'm quickly coming to the realisation that If I want my cake and eat it there's going to be a compromise somewhere and If I accept I'm going to keep I high box count then that questions me changing at all - for now I'm sticking with the Olive and see what Naim bring out next - Your move Naim!!

thanks again