Suggestions for my next up-grades please?

raggaman posted:

I'm also on a tight budget so I can't stretch to the DR range. (Although that's my retirement dream) 

To upgrade the HC to DR is perhaps possible? All I can say is that I am again and again very impressed with my HCDR. It is not a SC but it's well worth the money!

Well that's something I didn't think of, thank you.

Do you know if the DR HC would be better sound than a Olive SC?

I assumed your HC was olive from your description so I don't think it can be DR'd. I have only had black boxes but in my case going from DR Hicap to DR SuperCap on a 282 was well worthwhile. However, there are those who don't think a SuperCap on 282 is worth the cost. 

I don't know the Shark interconnect but that may well be worth looking into. Otherwise you might be able to trade in your Ittok for an Ekos MK1 - I did this and it was significant. The Radikal is a large jump from the Lingo!

Clive

I agree on the Shark interconnect, but I also think the Chord Cobra is not in the same league as the NAC 82.

The other thing that stands out is:  When were the Olive components last serviced?  If more than 10 years ago then they are due for servicing.  If more than 15 years ago (or never!) then the sound benefits of doing this will probably outweigh any other single change you could make.

What I'm much less sure about is a HiCap DR with Olive kit - if you are to do this I think you really need to do a home audition, the Olive HiCap may actually sound better in your circumstances.  An Olive SuperCap is a much safer bet.

Hi Clive, yes it's all Olive.  I should of said in my post my upgrade needs to be around the £1000-£1,500 mark and most of your suggestion are probably out of reach for my budget but thank you anyway.

Raggaman,

If your equipment has never been serviced this is an area you should consider before looking to upgrade any where else, you could get the Hi Cap,250 and 82 done for about £700,with Darren at Class A

Karl

Huge posted:

I agree on the Shark interconnect, but I also think the Chord Cobra is not in the same league as the NAC 82.

The other thing that stands out is:  When were the Olive components last serviced?  If more than 10 years ago then they are due for servicing.  If more than 15 years ago (or never!) then the sound benefits of doing this will probably outweigh any other single change you could make.

What I'm much less sure about is a HiCap DR with Olive kit - if you are to do this I think you really need to do a home audition, the Olive HiCap may actually sound better in your circumstances.  An Olive SuperCap is a much safer bet.

Dam, I thought the Chord Cobra lead was up to the job? What would you suggest instead? I did ask my dealer about the Shark v T-Kable and his opinion was it would be slightly better but not much. Glad you reminded me about the servicing, I know the Nap 250 had just had a naim service when I bought it two years ago but ought to look into the service history of HC & 82. Many thanks for your response, I wasn't expecting so many replies so quickly!

In your price range, I'd think about an Ekos, a Tranquillity or the latter plus a Cirkus, if you don't have one.

What does all of this sit on? That might be job #1.

It's difficult for me to make suggestions on commercial interconnect cables as I build my own!

The Chord Cobra is on a par with the standard Naim cables, so although it's none too shabby, it's still not up to the standard of a 82 + HiCap / 250 setup.

Interconnect cable suppliers worth investigating include:
Flashback Sales (www flashbacksales.co.uk)
Witch Hat Servicing (www witchhatservicing.co.uk)
AR Sound (www ar-sound.com)
Custom HiFi Cables Ltd (www custom-hifi-cables.co.uk)

Of these I think the last two are a little more likely to be able to to supply a cable of the same standard as the components you have (although the first two also have their supporters).

raggaman posted:

Linn Sondek LP12,
Linn LV11 Ittok arm,
Lingo 3 power supply,
Kore sub chassis,

Shark phono interconector,
Dynavector DV-20 X2 moving coil phono cartridge (low),
Dynavector phono stage P75 Mk3,

Naim snaic Chord Cobra phono-din interconnect,
Naim Nac-82 pre amp,
Naim Nap-250 power amp,
Naim Hi-cap power supply,
ProAc D18 speakers
Naim NACA5B Speaker cable.

 

Hello All

I've been building my set-up for the last five years now and as happy as I am like most of us I'm still need more! My listening room is very retro and the Olive Naim set up looks the part and I'm also on a tight budget so I can't stretch to the DR range. (Although that's my retirement dream)

So from my system spec above could I have some suggestions for the most cost effective jump in sound quality? I'm no expert but I think my two weakest links are the Shark phono interconector & Naim Hi-cap power supply. My gut feeling was to upgrade the speakers but am not sure I'm getting the most out them just yet. The jump in sound quality was amazing when I introduced the Lingo 3 & Kore sub & then again my most recent jump to the Dynavector phono stage P75 mk3 was huge. Would I get anywhere near those differences in sound upgrading to a SuperCap or a T-Kable ?

ALSO...

I would be interested in idea's for my next move on speakers or be it a year or two away? A couple of years ago I was going the route of upgrading my D18's but my dealer said the ProAc D30r probably wouldn't be enough of a jump to hear a huge difference and to concentrate on upgrading the rest of my system which was sound advice. Now I'm almost there, what would be a worthy up-grade that again will blow me away!

My taste in music is wide but it leans towards Jazz, funk & soul so I'd love a bit more bass without sacrificing the quality already enjoy with the D18's. My worry is the room won't be able to handle anymore bass as the room size is roughly 4m x 7m.

Many thanks

 

raggaman, up until last year I was using  an 82,Supercap and 250 when I changed my Hi Cap to a Supercap many years before this was a significant upgrade like wise when I had the boxes serviced four years ago..

Sources at the time were a LP12 and CDI.

If you want to add any DR power to your amps, that means changing from Olive to the current classic range, so it could get expensive, especially if you want all the boxes to match. A 52 might be a good thing to aim for if you want to keep it Olive.

JRHardee posted:

In your price range, I'd think about an Ekos, a Tranquillity or the latter plus a Cirkus, if you don't have one.

What does all of this sit on? That might be job #1.

Do you mean what the deck is sat on? ( a wooden g-plan corner unit) or what base board? Mine is solid.

I've heard of a Ekos ( flagship arm) but I've not come across a Tranquillity before. The Cirkus is the bearings change yes?

Why would you do that with the Tranquillity and not the Ekos?

Sorry, I'm as clued up as most members?

ChrisSU posted:

If you want to add any DR power to your amps, that means changing from Olive to the current classic range, so it could get expensive, especially if you want all the boxes to match. A 52 might be a good thing to aim for if you want to keep it Olive.

Yes, I'm happy with the Olive at the moment. Are you saying the 52 is better than my 82? The 52 is pre amp isn't it?

To me, Ittok is the weak point. Start there, not sure how the Lingo is today? 

//Jonas

I recently had my olive amps serviced (82, Hicap, 135s), that was a very significant improvement, admittedly the 82 hadn't been serviced since I bought it in 1993. I also replaced the old mains leads, original Naim, but showing their age physically, with Powerline Lites, that was a real surprise to me. It was mainly because I was worried the leads were starting to look a bit worn, but there was a noticeable improvement in the lower end control and slam which I hadn't expected at all. Very good upgrade for £300.

Hi Raggaman--The point of doing the Tranquillity and the Cirkus, but not the Ekos, is cost. It would probably come down to one or the other. The Tranquillity puts opposing magnets between the top plate of the LP-12 and the inner part of the platter, taking substantial weight off the spindle. It sounds Rube Goldberg, but it makes a surprising improvement. The audition is quick, since installation is pretty simple. Checkout tiger-paw.com

There are a couple of people around here who don't like the Cirkus, but I got the Circus and the Ekos at the same time, and the difference was jaw-dropping.

As for "what it sits on", the difference between a coffee table and a dedicated rack--even a dedicated, decent TT stand--is huge. I've been there.

Raggaman, If your Sondek has a Kore then I think it very likely it has a Cirkus too.

A serviced olive supercap on your NAC82 gets you halfway towards a NAC52 later, which would require a supercap.

three years ago i serviced my olive 72-250 and changed my cb hc to a new hc dr,results were amazing.highly recomended

You say you're happy, and that the olive look matches your decor. So, my suggestion is to look for an olive, second hand SC. I did the move from a HC to a SC on my 282 (I have none of it now, but that's another story), and a SC is a worthwhile addition.

Olive SCs are relatively cheap, and they are basically the same as a SC2 (non DR).

Best

M

A SC doesn't put you halfway to a 52--the 82 and 52 are too different, the 52 being much better, but it's a fine upgrade if you can swing it within your budget. Again, this is based on personal experience.

Ragga,

you've got a great system already. i'd get your Naim kit serviced at Class A and then think about getting a Dynavector step-up transformer for your cartridge. there's a rather compelling review on Stereophile of this exact setup, which will give you an idea of what to expect. i think it might be just the ticket.

--joe

Service your olives, Ive had my LP12/Ittok serviced to similar spec with Cirkus & Kore & sounds fab, so I wouldnt be changing your tonearm unless an Ekos SE is on the horizon.

A HiCap-2 (2002 onwards) can be updated to DR, the olives not - AFAIK. However, a service perhaps with an unmentionable voltage regulator change may be worth considering.