Naim XS-2 Upgrade - NAP 155 XS or FlatCap XS?

Posted by: James Garner on 28 December 2016

I've decided to add a little something extra to my humble setup:

Linn Sondek LP12, Ekos, ESC’d Troika, Naim Stageline, Naim Nait XS-2, NAC-5, Naim Allae

I have been debating between a FlatCap XS and a NAP 155 XS. Obviously the FlatCap will help improve both the XS-2 and the Stageline, but does anyone have an experience having tried both?

Posted on: 07 January 2017 by James Garner

Antonio1 posted:
glad you made the right decision and are enjoying it.
Let it settle in and don't think about upgrades now unless you have not a good surface to site the unit and especially the Lp12.
In that case quadraspire make good ones ,though with that level of kit a Fraim base level would be strongly suggested I think and a wall shelf for TT.

Indeed. The turntable is on a wall shelf, and the amp is on... dare I say it... an Ikea Kallax 2x2

People may disagree but I just struggle to justify the expense on a shelving system for what I believe to be minimal impact to an amp and phono stage.

One day I will, but for now I'd rather spend that money on my children

Posted on: 07 January 2017 by James Garner

joe9407 posted:
glad you're enjoying the SN2. by all accounts, it's a great piece.
as for your phono stage, i recommend the Dynavector P75. i found it to be much better than the Stageline. (i agree with Robiwan's comments above that it's quite dark sounding.) if you can find one secondhand, you can sell it for no loss if you don't get on with it.

Thanks. I shall look into some phono options in a few months once I've adjusted to the SN2.

The Dynavector P75 is cool looking however would it be a good pairing for Linn carts?