Speaker choice/match for 5si series.

stuart posted:

I'm going to listen to atc - maybe scm 7 / 11could be good for your room? 

The ATCs,may be a march for the room, but they tend to prefer an amp with rather more control than a 5si.  They'll not make the amp sound bad, but possibly not the best match: Audition is essential for this combo.  Direct comparison to the Neats would be a good way to see if the 5si's power amp is sufficiently capable to deliver good performance into the ATCs.

ljudpuff posted:

You most try Dynaudio! Focus, Excite or maybe the new cheaper Emit?

Good call on the Dynaudio Emit range - truly superb performance and tremendous value for money.

In relation to outlay, the Emit M20 on the end of the new Atom was one of the best sounding systems at the recent Acoustica show. Well worth adding the range to the shortlist.

Yetizone posted:

ljudpuff posted:

You most try Dynaudio! Focus, Excite or maybe the new cheaper Emit?

Good call on the Dynaudio Emit range - truly superb performance and tremendous value for money.

In relation to outlay, the Emit M20 on the end of the new Atom was one of the best sounding systems at the recent Acoustica show. Well worth adding the range to the shortlist.

I like Excite X14, but always felt the Emit series was somewhat overrated... In any case, I prefer the refinement of Neat's SX3 over the entry-level Dynaudios, in particular the SX3's treble is rather beautiful.

I have been reading the reviews of the Harbeth P3ESR and am amazed at the critical response. 

May be worth considering.

What about a pair SBL with serviced x-overs ?

New Rega RX One not bad either and easy going for your amp

Do you know  what guys, oh the irony!!

Over the easter holiday I have decided to re-strip my NAC A5 cables and solder on some new Naim plugs both ends on both cables. After that I re-tapped the loudspeaker sockets on my Credos with a decent Metcal solder iron and some 60/40 tin/lead alloy. Well, one could of knocked me over with a feather, the speakers have sprung back to life!!!! The Credos I have always known and loved are now back singing better than ever!!!

The system was sounding off for weeks and I just put it down to the age of  the crossovers because no matter what tweaking I did, nothing changed. It has now turned out that I could not have been more wrong.

I can't believe it!!!!

A few years ago, after much auditioning I went for Piega TS5 and they are really good. Brilliantly clear and with a really well controlled bass they sound so "natural". I just bought a Cd5 Si to replace an ageing CD3 and things are even better. I think they have been superseded by Premium 5.2. in the Piega range - maybe there are used models out there?

Hi folks,

I have arranged to pick the Neat SX2s up for Wednesday and i am still looking forward to home demoing them because they did sound nice, they're compact and I just fancied a change amongst other things. Having said that, I really do feel the Neat's are going to be up against 'stiff' competition here, system synergy an all. It's hard to hear how the Credos can sound any better and the motives better have some attitude, cause these babies are rocking right now!!

Don't you just love it, Stephen, about the soldering job revelation.

Chris

PS. Can you do mine too please!

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi folks,

I have arranged to pick the Neat SX2s up for Wednesday and i am still looking forward to home demoing them because they did sound nice, they're compact and I just fancied a change amongst other things. Having said that, I really do feel the Neat's are going to be up against 'stiff' competition here, system synergy an all. It's hard to hear how the Credos can sound any better and the motives better have some attitude, cause these babies are rocking right now!!

Admittedly Neats dont rock exactly like Credos but overall a much better speaker imo

Maybe even a better amp match than the X2

They will need a bit more space from wall than most Naim speakers

Mmm... i'm not sure what to think here folks, early days...with the Neat SX2.

So far the BASS, midrange and the dynamics are not anywhere near the quality of my Credos ( in a majestic way ) but the treble and general listening as a whole is 'more' in a  conventional way but...I can't quite put my finger on it with the BASS.

The SX2s are reminding me of a much more refined Mission 752 but without the benign sensitivity.

I'll report back later once I've faffed around for a bit.

Cheers all

If you pull them out a bit from the back wall they might be a little less sluggish, always assuming that cloudy mids and slow bass is where you are critical of them. You know, 6 " or so.

C.

Kef LS50 ... great very capable speaker ... underated

Are the Neats new as like any new speaker they will require weeks of playing time before they come on song if not months.

Stephen Tate posted:

Do you know  what guys, oh the irony!!

Over the easter holiday I have decided to re-strip my NAC A5 cables and solder on some new Naim plugs both ends on both cables. After that I re-tapped the loudspeaker sockets on my Credos with a decent Metcal solder iron and some 60/40 tin/lead alloy. Well, one could of knocked me over with a feather, the speakers have sprung back to life!!!! The Credos I have always known and loved are now back singing better than ever!!!

The system was sounding off for weeks and I just put it down to the age of  the crossovers because no matter what tweaking I did, nothing changed. It has now turned out that I could not have been more wrong.

I can't believe it!!!!

I had a similar experience a year ago. My NAC A5 had been solder terminated by a dealer many years ago. I started to get an intermittent connection  and replaced the plugs myself. I don't know how the cables had worked for so long, the soldering was a gruesome bodge job. Needless to say, things improved immensely. I am a firm believer that speaker cables need to be removed and inserted occasionally. Once the mating surfaces are no longer bright and shiny then your precious signal is fighting through oxidation 

Can't Naim service the crossovers for your Credos? (Sorry for being a bit late on this!)

Christopher_M posted:

If you pull them out a bit from the back wall they might be a little less sluggish, always assuming that cloudy mids and slow bass is where you are critical of them. You know, 6 " or so.

C.

Hi Chris,

I have them out about 12'' from the rear and well clear from any side walls.  I have changed the bananas on the speaker end of cable for gold plated ones.

I am enjoying their presentation in other ways to the credos but I just can't get on with the small man trying to be big man in the Bass department. I'm finding the bass hollow and boxy with a mid bass hump, in this department they're not a patch on the Credos.

It's only my second day in with them and I have a bit more faffing around to do, so they may get better. I can't fault the top end 'if' a little rounded.

Thanks.

Gavin B posted:

Can't Naim service the crossovers for your Credos? (Sorry for being a bit late on this!)

Hi gavin,

I have enquired about this through my dealer but I was told no they can't be serviced or replaced, at least not original anyway.

If I could get NEW crossovers for the credos I would buy them and cancel my NEW speaker journey at an instant.

Stephen Tate posted:

I am enjoying [the Motive SX2's] presentation in other ways to the credos but I just can't get on with the small man trying to be big man in the Bass department. I'm finding the bass hollow and boxy with a mid bass hump, in this department they're not a patch on the Credos.

The lack of a mid-bass hump rings true with the Naim speakers I've owned too. (nSats, IBLs, SBLs).

C.

Stephen Tate posted:

If I could get NEW crossovers for the credos I would buy them and cancel my NEW speaker journey at an instant.

Worth talking to Reference Fidelity Components who may be able to refurb the crossover to new spec for you.  

Stephen Tate posted:

Gavin B posted:

Can't Naim service the crossovers for your Credos? (Sorry for being a bit late on this!)

Hi gavin,

I have enquired about this through my dealer but I was told no they can't be serviced or replaced, at least not original anyway.

If I could get NEW crossovers for the credos I would buy them and cancel my NEW speaker journey at an instant.

Stephen, it might be worth an email or call direct to Naim to check. Within the last year I swapped a pair of Credos for Allaes, and the Allaes had been serviced (or at least checked over) fairly recently I seem to remember.

james n posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

If I could get NEW crossovers for the credos I would buy them and cancel my NEW speaker journey at an instant.

Worth talking to Reference Fidelity Components who may be able to refurb the crossover to new spec for you.  

This is handy to know James, I may look into this, thanks.

Stephen Tate posted:

Gavin B posted:

Can't Naim service the crossovers for your Credos? (Sorry for being a bit late on this!)

Hi gavin,

I have enquired about this through my dealer but I was told no they can't be serviced or replaced, at least not original anyway.

If I could get NEW crossovers for the credos I would buy them and cancel my NEW speaker journey at an instant.

You could get a NEW SNAXO and go active with the Credos ...

That would be fun with a Nait 5si. 

HH, you are correct, the 5si does not have a pre out.