Any left field ideas for an upgrade?

Full Fraim?

You're going to get a 500 DR in the end unless you crash out of Naim or skip it and go straight to the Statement, none of which is exactly left field. Something wierd but wonderful is needed, is there any vinyl in your life? there's endless entertainment to be had tweaking a vinyl setup. Assuming there isn't then that leaves front or rear end to  play with. The Chord brigade have suggested the NDS sounds a touch mechanical and a Chord DAC is needed to affect a cure, others claim the Chord DACs are too clinical, I'll be running in a Hugo 2 soon in order to find out, if the dealer sticks to his word but in any case a Chord DAC has become too ubiquitous to be left field. Other DACs or streamers are possible but they too will dilute the Naimness. Chord cables and SL maybe but hardly left field these days and tedious to audition. That more or less leaves the speakers but with the question mark of a Dr and/or 500 upgrade still hanging around you'll never settle on anything. While you're in upgrade limbo a pair of Eclipse TD712s should be entertaining to audition and might just qualify as left field.

I recently plugged an old Heathkit valve fm tuner into my Naim system (282/200) and have found myself listening to classical music for the firsty time in my life, it shouldn't work apparently but sounds pretty decent to me.

Bob - excellent post :-)

Chag... posted:

DRing the 300 is really a must in all respects. Have a trial and listen in situ if you still have doubts. Be only aware of that very light touch of brightness coming with it.  

Chag -

Please can you describe the 'touch of brightness' a little more? Is it likely to tip Kudos speakers over into too bright (given that the SEAS tweeter is used). Is anyone already using a 300DR with Kudos speakers?

No but using a 250DR with S20s.   Bright  - no sir

Of course Mango the new mini Titan prototypes will be at the Bristol show this weekend.  Will give you some feedback.  

I am still getting used to the wonderful improvement that has resulted from having my NAP300/300PS DR'd and serviced.

There has been a constant stream of WOW moments and they work stupendously with my Kudos Super 20s. 

Highly recommended by me FWIW

Chris Dolan posted:

I am still getting used to the wonderful improvement that has resulted from having my NAP300/300PS DR'd and serviced.

There has been a constant stream of WOW moments and they work stupendously with my Kudos Super 20s. 

Highly recommended by me FWIW

Chris, I concur. I have 552DR and 300Dr in S20s plus full loom. No harshness or brightness here.

Mango, I would go for the 300DR and the full loom, which I did.

Other alternative might be the Titan707 when released.

Or, if you don't already have it, full tidal, then you get a lot of new music.

get huge vintage JBLs, swap in for Kudos occasionally, purchase quality booze, invite people over.

naim_nymph posted:

The very good Leftfeild upgrade for any system is some Rhythm and Stealth  : )

 

:-) Also out of leftfield, I personally I find the track 'Melt' on the album Leftism a really good system test track. In addition to being a great listen.

To the OP's question, a new listening chair ?

Guy007 posted:

naim_nymph posted:

The very good Leftfeild upgrade for any system is some Rhythm and Stealth  : )

 

:-) Also out of leftfield, I personally I find the track 'Melt' on the album Leftism a really good system test track. In addition to being a great listen.

 

To the OP's question, a new listening chair ?

Leftism used to be a Linn approved test disc for showing off what a system could do.

whsturm posted:

Chag... posted:

DRing the 300 is really a must in all respects. Have a trial and listen in situ if you still have doubts. Be only aware of that very light touch of brightness coming with it.  

Please can you describe the 'touch of brightness' a little more? Is it likely to tip Kudos speakers over into too bright (given that the SEAS tweeter is used). Is anyone already using a 300DR with Kudos speakers?

This light touch of brightness of the 300 DR version is only to be considered in comparison, or in contrast, with the original 300 that had, I believe, somewhat of a dark or matt sound presentation that may be appreciated by the listener of classical music. The best way I found to describe the new 300 DR is that while it certainly does better each and every thing that the original 300 was doing so well, listening to it, the DR version, is like looking through the window after the rain has stopped. The streets are now gleaming whereas the asphalt used to be matt before the rain. This light touch of brightness that Martin Colloms of HiFi Critic has reported as well in his review last year, may sometimes and on some recordings, mask a small part of the counterpoint or even the texture of the timbres even though the DR is capable or rendering noticeably more details to the presentation. On the other side this touch of brightness might also contribute to more refined highs for greater transparency, airiness and layering at the end. Go figure. 

[@mention:13393020358083741] good and informative post.. it's what I have tried to suggest elsewhere... better performance doesn't neccessarily mean it will sound better in your system/speakers/room. Audition is important.. you can't assume x is always better than y, even if most prefer x over y. 

This isn't an upgrade, but it qualifies for left field--Take some of your music to someone else's house and have a listen. You will probably appreciate what you have more than ever.

After a Fraim and a DR, you should check out the products at Herbie's Audio Lab.  We rebuilt my Verdier using their damping material and TT mat, and put their footers under the Verdier in lieu of the Walker footers we had used in lieu of the Verdier springs.  We also put the Herbie's Gliders under the ProAc D40 R.   This is the best value upgrade and the most significant benefit I have seen since the Fraim and DR upgrades.  For a couple hundred dollars,  I would try it under every non-Naim product in your system.  

It was totally left field for me and very beneficial.

Maybe, six new poles... both for "right and left field"... ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr8O_jZhpl4

joe9407 posted:

get huge vintage JBLs, swap in for Kudos occasionally, purchase quality booze, invite people over.

Liking the quality booze suggestion. I'd start by getting some decent bourbon and get yer Manhattan recipe sorted....

72/ HC/ 250. (inspired by a post on another thread).

C.

Listening to some music this morning / and my motivation to make any changes are very low.

More fun to be had by taking suggestions from the music room. :-)

From folks who've known me from several years ago that might come as a welcome surprise...

The olive suggestion for a second system seems nice though - is the na250 easy to pair - what level of digital source does a nac72/hicapDR/olive 250 need?

Lovely with a CDS3

MangoMonkey posted:

Listening to some music this morning / and my motivation to make any changes are very low.

More fun to be had by taking suggestions from the music room. :-)

From folks who've known me from several years ago that might come as a welcome surprise...

The olive suggestion for a second system seems nice though - is the na250 easy to pair - what level of digital source does a nac72/hicapDR/olive 250 need?

CDS3 will suffice

Why are you Asking?

there is no combination of naim equipment that you have not already tried out bought then resold at no loss(  so you like to kid us,) up and down the range all the time.

after even  you get a 552 you will then trade it in for a unitiqute 2 months later. Then two months after that the qute is sold for a 202 and so the cycle goes on.

Put another window in your listening room, It will brighten things generally.

A chaise lounges and a drinks cabinet or credenza with integral cooler is a must as I agree with the fine beverages & lots of company.

Skip posted:

After a Fraim and a DR, you should check out the products at Herbie's Audio Lab.  We rebuilt my Verdier using their damping material and TT mat, and put their footers under the Verdier in lieu of the Walker footers we had used in lieu of the Verdier springs.  We also put the Herbie's Gliders under the ProAc D40 R.   This is the best value upgrade and the most significant benefit I have seen since the Fraim and DR upgrades.  For a couple hundred dollars,  I would try it under every non-Naim product in your system.  

It was totally left field for me and very beneficial.

Hi Skip;

You keep advocating for Herbie's Gliders under speakers, and ProAcs in particular. Are you using or recommending the Little Fat Glider to be placed right under the speaker's plinth, the Cone/Spike Decoupling Glider still to receive the spikes, or the Threaded Stud Glider to be screwed in replacement of the M6 spikes?

Have you had ever considered and tried the all well known Soundcare® SuperSpike?

Chag -