Rega Dac/Nait XS2 (70W)/Proac D20s

Posted by: MangoMonkey on 07 April 2018

I took my friend out to our local dealer (Hawthorne) yesterday. John and Dominique helpful as ever. Robert not around.

We spent a couple of hours listening to various speakers, first with the nait 5si and then the nait xs. Walked out with Rega Dac-R, a Nait XS2 and ProacD20s. Well, the NaitXS is on order, we borrowed an olive 92/90 preamp/amp combo.

Took it to his place and hooked it all up. Input is Optical from his PC. I don't want him to catch audiophile nervosa - so just did a plonk and play. He'll also feed optical out of his xbox. He's got a roon subscription and tidal subscription that runs on his PC.

The system sounds super! In some ways preferable to the 500 series system at my place - There was some synergy in action with the rega dac, the 30 yr old probably unserviced olive gear and the Proacs. Hopefully, it'll still sound as good when the NaitXS2 shows up. The room is smaller, less glass and more carpet and sofas. I had to leave quickly, but he stayed up all night listening to music. Mostly Tidal. He's happy,

As as aside, unfortunately, I just couldn't recommend a Naim source to him. I've spent too much time faffing around with ethernet cables and naim streamers. He's got a PC source. Optical out into the Rega Dac is good enough. And Naim's heart is not in it's Dacs. The old stuff is on it's way out, the new stuff overpriced.

The rega dac (if you like the rega sound) into the Nait XS2 was just great - no reason to go crazy spend more than that amount on a naim source.

He can go audition a chord dac in a few years - but I'll leave him at peace with his system. I asked him not to go to any forums to read up on the gear he bought. I have not told him about the existence of this forum. cool

Posted on: 07 April 2018 by MangoMonkey

And streaming duties at the store were via Sonos connect into the rega Dac. Worked well enough. And at 350, you could afford to bin it every few years - not like naim is providing an uograde path to the NDS....

Posted on: 07 April 2018 by seakayaker

I love Hawthorne's...... I bought a NAIT XS 2 with a pair of ProAc D2's from John.

I think your friend will be quite happy with the XS 2 when it is delivered. Please update the thread and tell us how it turns out when the XS 2 arrives.

Posted on: 07 April 2018 by NickSeattle

I was there Thu and spent a while listening to Tidal through the Nova into ATC 19s — hard to throw rocks at this.

Nick

Posted on: 07 April 2018 by seakayaker

The ATC 19's are sweet, I had listened to them through the 272/250 on a visit in January. I might have to go give them another listen with the Nova.

Posted on: 07 April 2018 by joerand

It's Dominic (Dominique the feminine). Great guy, always helpful and knows his hi-fi as well as a quality espresso.

Wonderful place, Hawthorne Stereo. I find their motto "a pretty nice place" modestly understated.

They still conduct business and treat their customers like it's the 1970s. Apologies for the deserved digression.

Posted on: 08 April 2018 by Chag...

How would you rate the D20? Could it be on a par with the D30RS except for a lesser but more controlled, if not tighter, bass in smaller rooms? ????

Chag -

Posted on: 08 April 2018 by joerand

Pretty much what you said with regard to bass between the two; seems to be the consensus. FWIW - I found the ribbon tweeter of the D20R superior to the dome of the D20, but that is all about room interaction and listener preference.