2nd System suggestions
Posted by: virek on 13 April 2017
Hi All.
Having recently replaced my ageing Intro 2's with some Focal Aria 926's, I have a pair of very capable speakers lusting to be used in the office room. In said office, is an iMac that could be used as a source but an AppleTV is not out of the question either. The question, what inexpensive amp would give an enjoyable sound ?
I currently have a Uniti2 + NAP100 in the main room. Very musical and I enjoy listening for hours with it. Many thanks for your suggestions.
Matthew
Sonos. Cheap and easy
[@mention:46056317147395691] The Sonos can't drive the Intro 2. Thanks for the suggestion all the same.
DAC-V1 + NAP100 or previously owned NAP110 or 140?
Hi Matthew,
Assuming that you're looking for a one-box solution (integrated + USB DAC), my first thought would be one of the Rotel integrated amps. I was seriously impressed by their RA-1592. Powerful and sophisticated with great timing. Rotel's A-14 also looks like a good contender.
Heed also comes to mind, for example the Obelisk integrated. A DAC card can be added, but I'm not sure that it has a USB input for the iMac.
Jan
Get a Dac-V1. Dac-V1+Nap100 in second system. Uniti2 in the main system. At some point, get a Nap200 for the Uniti2. (I'm assuming it's the Uniti2 - not the unitiqute2).
Alternatively, the Brio-R. Awesome amp. It just got discontinued recently, so some good deal on brand new Brio-Rs.
I wouldn't spend $ on a V1. It was great back in 2013 but not a great value in 2017.
I've just brought the new Rega Brio to power my IBLs in a second system for my daughter. Rega RP1 doing the duties up front. Really sounds quite good and worth an audition if you get a chance.
Naim you price... (
)
Without budgetary guidance, it's difficult to give meaningful advice.
Will s/h be considered?
I think nothing less thatn a Statement would be a waste of resources 
On a serious note - perhaps one of the new Uniti range?
Kevin Richardson posted:I wouldn't spend $ on a V1. It was great back in 2013 but not a great value in 2017.
That long already?
get a Chord Mojo. ;-)
I thought about getting my neices a sonus thingy for Christmas last year. I listened, thought the sound was awful and didn't. Avoid. IMHO.
You could consider going "classic" and getting an older NAIT (1,2, 3, or even 5). All will work just fine with the Intro 2s.
I do feel the prices on Nait 1 & 2 have become a bit OTT now. I owned both in the past and yes, they are good, but that much better than a Brio R for more money and a twenty plus year old amp that will probably need servicing? On the other hand you could consider it an investment as they only seem to go up in value.
Marksnaim posted:I've just brought the new Rega Brio to power my IBLs in a second system for my daughter. Rega RP1 doing the duties up front. Really sounds quite good and worth an audition if you get a chance.
Mark, have you heard the older Brio-R and could you comment on the new version ? is it better or just different even with IBL ?
On easy speakers the Brio3 and Brio-R were among my favorites for secondary budget setup, I was not happy for the Brio-R transformer noise though.
Above amplifiers were not the last word but really enjoyfull, they were in some ways better than a Nait 5i playing on lower levels where the 5i needed more volume to come alive without too much muffling
I still use my Nait 1 in a bedroom system, driving Rogers LS7. It's a super amplifier, which when used with my old LP12 was just perfect. These days it just plays Freeserve radio and CD. I had it serviced a few years ago and it wasn't that costly. Certainly worth doing IMHO.
Budget... as little as possible within reason ;-)
I was looking at the Cyrus ONE, looks interesting, anyone tried it ?
I bought a Cyrus 1for a second system, from a well known auction site. Sounded fine, but not like Naim. It failed after 3 months. You would need to take account of repair/servicing costs, as it is a very old amplifier.
Klyde posted:I bought a Cyrus 1for a second system, from a well known auction site. Sounded fine, but not like Naim. It failed after 3 months. You would need to take account of repair/servicing costs, as it is a very old amplifier.
I think he is referring to the latest retro Cyrus ONE 100w digital amp, not the original #1
Wouldn't the new Atom fit your requirements?
MangoMonkey posted:Kevin Richardson posted:I wouldn't spend $ on a V1. It was great back in 2013 but not a great value in 2017.
That long already?
get a Chord Mojo. ;-)
My Hugo died last year....
Lol. Alright then. Score one for the Black/Green guys.
virek posted:[@mention:33667381293814137] Ouch. Sorry to hear that.
I was talking about the new Cyrus ONE though ;-)
Sorry Virek. I'm stuck in a time warp. That new Cyrus looks the part, and has to be worth a listen.