Dynaudio Focus 260 with XS2

Seven pages but you did it! Bravo!

C.

No quarter posted:

Good to hear you like it,I used to run an SN 2 with high cap dr,fed from a Hugo into focus 160's...great synergy,tons of PRAT.Like I mentioned,those speakers will reveal all future upgrades you do nicely,and the 272/250dr is MUCH better,lol,but enjoy what you have for now.

After my recent home audition, 282, HCDR, 250-2 DR, not the 272, to the SN2, HCDR, different yes, but MUCH better, that would be stretching it JUST a little bit in my opinion.

Honestly didn't feel the difference was worth the cost of admission. The same could also be said of why some members prefer the sound of the 200 to the 250-2. Personally, I don't hear it that way, but it is different.  But is the difference better? Technically yes, but if you (the person buying the equipment), prefer the sound presentation of the "lesser" amp, is it really an improvement?

I realize when you spend that kind of money on a so called improvement, you need to justify things by reinforcing your decision to purchase the kit, but in all honesty the SN2 and Hicap DR, combined with the right speakers, are that good, definitely in the same league as the more expensive separates, at least to these ears.

AMUSED,

Now you know why Naim uses Dynaudio to demonstrate their gear at CES shows, great synergy!!!!

AMUSED,

Didn't I tell you about that Hegel stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't get it. That stuff gets such great reviews, but when I compared it to the Naim stuff, well, it really wasn't much of a comparison ........

Yes, you were right.

The Hegel was good, but the sound reminded me of some Van Den Hul cables I took once for a test and returned them the same day. Later on I found out that some people call them Van Den Dull

I wouldn't say the Hegel was dull, but wasn't too far either. I am talking about the H360 monster. The much cheaper Exposure had bags more energy and attack, but it was too bright and even harsh with some Spendor speakers. So I didn't feel the need to test either with my Dyn's, perhaps they would behave  differently. I've read that many people use both Hegel and Exposure with their Dyn's.

badlands posted:

No quarter posted:

Good to hear you like it,I used to run an SN 2 with high cap dr,fed from a Hugo into focus 160's...great synergy,tons of PRAT.Like I mentioned,those speakers will reveal all future upgrades you do nicely,and the 272/250dr is MUCH better,lol,but enjoy what you have for now.

After my recent home audition, 282, HCDR, 250-2 DR, not the 272, to the SN2, HCDR, different yes, but MUCH better, that would be stretching it JUST a little bit in my opinion.

Honestly didn't feel the difference was worth the cost of admission. The same could also be said of why some members prefer the sound of the 200 to the 250-2. Personally, I don't hear it that way, but it is different.  But is the difference better? Technically yes, but if you (the person buying the equipment), prefer the sound presentation of the "lesser" amp, is it really an improvement?

I realize when you spend that kind of money on a so called improvement, you need to justify things by reinforcing your decision to purchase the kit, but in all honesty the SN2 and Hicap DR, combined with the right speakers, are that good, definitely in the same league as the more expensive separates, at least to these ears.

 

AMUSED,

Now you know why Naim uses Dynaudio to demonstrate their gear at CES shows, great synergy!!!!

 

Badlands When I had the SN 2, my source was UQ2 into Hugo feeding the SN2,Maybe an NDX would of been much better,I don't know,but after reading this forum,and listening to a guy I know from the Dynaudio AVS forum,who made the same move,I decided that would be my path.I also had a home demo first, using Dynaudio C1 Platinum's,which I consider a very tough load.To me it was instantly obvious the improvement,it went from great Hifi,to the band is in the room with me...and I am glad I made the move,it is not at all trying to justify my purchase,with respect,I know what I am hearing now.

Amused posted:

Thank you guys for all the help! I am more than happy! The thing is so musical, so involving, so enchanting. Even YouTube videos sound great. However, the internal DAC can't compete with the Mojo, no contest there. 

During testing: 

My wife would already complain when it is at 9.

Ok guys, I wish to report I am I mmensely enjoying my SN1+Dyn's combo. As per suggestions from the fellow users on this forum, I intend to grab a HiCap DR, but have no opportunity to test it before listening. Therefore, the questions are:

1. Does the HCDR bring significant sonic improvements to the SN1 and in what way (deeper bass, better clarity, wider soundstage)? 

2. Would I need to buy separate cables to connect the HCDR to the SN1 and which?

3. Is the HCDR that much better than the HC2?

Many thanks!

1. Yes. in the ways you have already mentioned

2. Yes. One additional cable which usually comes with a Naim power amp. 

3. well, yes it is better than HC2, I would buy HCDR if I had the choice. It has a 30 times lower noise floor than HC2. However the HC2 and older Hicaps are no slouches, they were made by Naim almost for 40 years  without much change.

Amused,

I have 2 non DR HCs one for my 282 the other for my Superline and as Analogue says they are very good and of course be upgraded.  

Glad you're enjoying your music. 

Regards,

Lindsay

You need a SNAIC 4 to 4 pin DIN to use with the Hicap, and yes, after living with one, I couldn't be without it in my system.

Give it time, the addition of the Hicap will gradually make you grateful for the purchase.

Once I added the highcap dr to my SN2,it never came off again,more of everything.I believe the necessary cables should come with the high cap,mine did.

The Hicap will come with a SNAIC5.  However, you'll also need a SNAIC4 to take signal from the Hicap back into the power amp section of the Supernait.

No quarter posted:

Once I added the highcap dr to my SN2,it never came off again,more of everything.I believe the necessary cables should come with the high cap,mine did.

Couldn't agree more, the Hicap DR on the SN2 makes a good amp great, twice I've had the money to upgrade to a 250dr and decided to spend the money elsewhere.  It still surprises me how good it is day after day.

Richard Dane posted:

The Hicap will come with a SNAIC5.  However, you'll also need a SNAIC4 to take signal from the Hicap back into the power amp section of the Supernait.

Thinking back,I believe my dealer handed me an "extra" cable when I picked up my high cap,it only came with the one in the box...so you are right Richard.

Today I auditioned the older HiCap Olive with my SN1. For the first hour or so, I didn't notice any improvement at all. However, probably after some 1.5 hours I started noticing some additional clarity in the recordings. Very interesting though, the SN1 was much quieter with the HC Olive, I had to turn up the volume knob quite a bit to reach the same level as with bare SN1. Is this normal?

All in all, I wasn't that impressed. Now I have second thoughts regarding the HiCap upgrade. Is the HCDR much better than the old Olive version?

There are several factors to consider here the older HC could be in need of a service and the cables you use can also play apart.  I have a CB HC serviced in 2012 powering my 282 and although at times subtle the difference is more than worthwhile and justifies the money it cost me.  I'm also using Dyns and although a bit lower down the food chain my x32's are great speakers.

Ok, finally placed an order for the Oppo 203 UHD player which I need for both video and audio playback.

Before the unit arrives I have a question regarding connecting the Oppo to the SN1. What would you recommend:

1. Oppo to SN via RCA-RCA cable (which means using the Oppo's DAC)

2. Oppo to SN via RCA-DIN cable (same as above)

3. Oppo to Chord Mojo (possible connections: Toslink optical and Coax Digital), then Mojo to SN via custom made 3.5mm to DIN cable by Flashback

Since the Oppo is also a SACD player, and since it's not possible to send the SACD signal via optical or coaxial to an external DAC, my only option here is to connect the Oppo directly to the SN1 and use the Oppo's DAC. So here are 2 cable choices: my current Chord Epic Analogue RCA-RCA or Flashback Premiere RCA-DIN. The Chord cable is 10 times the cost of the Flashback cable.

Don't assume that the Oppo's dac will outperform the MoJo.

Using SACD, still compare the Oppo's analogue output to that from the MoJo.  It's possible that the MoJo may give a better analogue signal from the 16/44.1kHz / 16/48kHz feed than the Oppo's own DAC does from the DSD layer.

It's impossible to get the SACD signal to the Mojo as it  only has digital inputs (Toslink, coaxial and USB) so I won't be able to directly compare the two using  SACD. However, I am eyeing the new Hugo 2

That's why I said to compare the Oppo to the 16/44.1 or 16/48 feed to the MoJo.  It might surprise you by being better than the Oppo's DAC, even though the Oppo's working directly from the DSD signal.

Unless you try it you won't know!

According to reviews, the Oppo has coax and optical digital outputs. And Mojo has optical and spdif electrical inputs, so I'm unclear why you can't use the Mojo I believe you have on the zippo? You could even compare and use the one you prefer, just for the cost of a cable, which need not be expensive.

Yes, I will use the Mojo for everything  apart for the SACD's as the SACD signal can't be transferred digitally (only ripped DSD can be transferred digitally). So I will have to use an analog RCA-RCA or RCA-DIN cable directly from the Oppo to the SN1 for SACD playback.

IIRC Sony insisted that the bitstream from SACDs could not be output digitally in order to prevent their discs being pirated. Indeed, initially early versions of the Sony PS3 could extract the digital data and Sony eventually updated the firmware for the PS3 to remove this functionality which led to a market for the old firmware PS3 machines for ripping SACD iso files.

Exactly! That's why the only way to play SACD's is to use the Oppo's internal DAC and connect it via RCA-RCA or RCA-DIN cable directly into the SN. The Chord DAC is useless here. 

So the question remains, is there an audible SQ difference in favor of the DIN connection as opposed to RCA?

I am one of the few who prefer the RCA connection. I find the DIN connection to be a little more mellow sounding, the RCA has more impact and sounds brighter and faster to me, that's why I prefer the RCA to RCA interconnects in my system for source components.