Seeking advice on system build

How about a Uniti Star? Just one box that does everything you need, sounds good.

It will also will give you features you may want to explore gradually (internet radio, streaming - web-based and local storage).

you want to keep the project preamp, it complicates a little some advises....

French Rooster posted:

you want to keep the project preamp, it complicates a little some advises....

I think he means phono stage. 

project turntable with preamp, you must be right.  So the op needs amp, preamp and dac or streamer, for 4k max.  

- 272/200 second hand.

- or  uniti star 

- or nait xs and nd5xs or ndac second hand to connect to the teac 

- rega elicit / rega jupiter 

or .......

I woukd stingily consider selling me the 110's???? 

in all seriousness a Star or even an Atom would be great with those speakers. 

Noooo.. Ain't selling the 110s.  I'm not sure the Atom has enough grunt fo the 110s, but the Star would.  A bit over my budget though.

I think the Atom may surprise you. It's a powerful little box. How big is your room?

Room is 12' x 13' x 10'h    Lousy dimensions fora listening room, but I got a handle on acoustic treatment.  I'm not into streaming. Besides, the way our house is set up, I'd only have a WiFi connection to the router. From what I've read, that's not good for streaming music.

I ran a Unitiqute 2 with focus 160s for a while,and man was that a fun combo...boogied.

Used 282/200.

Innous Zen Mini - For very simple ripping and streaming go on give it a try I guarantee you will not regret it.

Used Chord Hugo or 2Qute - Dac

Used SuperNait 2 - 

Mikeaudio1 posted:

Despite being an audiophile for the past 50 years, I've had to take a break from my hobby after we adopted 4 kids over the past  12 years.  Well, they are all grown up now- 2 leaving for college in August and the third next spring.  Anyway, I would like some advice in putting a Naim system together. At this point in my life I just want to listen to music and have no interest in gear swapping as I did in the past. 

The only gear that I have left after clearing out some stuff is a pair of Dynaudio Focus 110, 85dB, 4 ohm; Project t-t w/pre-amp; both which I plan on keeping, and a TEAC CDP with the VRDS transport (not used too much so it still works fine) which I can use as a transport if I store music, etc.

My budget is about $4K US.  I have about 300 CDs and 200 LPs- jazz, classic rock and classical, and don't know squat about streaming or computer music.  What components, used maybe might I look at to build a modest system for a dedicated listening room?  (No whole house, home theater, etc.)  Just me and my music.

Thanks.

 

 

MIKEAUDIO1 - 4 Adopted kids, simply amazing. I vote Unit Nova or Star, use you current speakers and others items.

Would a used 202/200 system work,rather than 272/200? Just a suggestion - and my old starting point -still in storage. Nice,but no streaming capabilities! Both the cd and tt would just plug in ,add naca 5 wire and all set. Earlier someone mentioned a seperate dac, but (I'm not sure) that you would need one if just playing your cd collection (?)

Well, thanks for all the advice guys.  I think for now I'm going to just pick up an int amp (prob a XS2) to use with my CDP and take some time to learn about  all the new formats.   Then, I can pick up a unit that has a DAC, streamer, etc. 

One other question-  are the outboard power supplies (Flatcap, etc)  that advantageous to the sonics to justify the $$$ and what to look for in a pre-owned unit? 

perhaps the naim supernait integrated, often preferred to the xs.  off board ps are real upgrades and give a more open, fluent and refined sound to the units.

I’d cast my vote for the Uniti Star as well. I use one to drive Focus line speakers as well. You’re in the USA I could help you find a dealer to use, you could give him your budget and see how he could help you. 

Mikeaudio1 posted:

I think for now I'm going to just pick up an int amp (prob a XS2) to use with my CDP and take some time to learn about  all the new formats.   Then, I can pick up a unit that has a DAC, streamer, etc. 

A good plan on paper. The Nait XS2 is an involving integrated. Realistically though, your speakers are somewhat demanding at 85dB and 4 ohm, and a more powerful amp might do them better justice, but that's always the case with any speaker. Your room is on the small side and depending on your previous amplification the XS2 seems a good starting point. Ideally, demo one from your dealer and see how it works for you.

As far as a PSU, my advice would be to first get ingrained with the sound of the bare integrated. From there you can evaluate the cost/benefit of adding a PSU. Don't try to do two things at once.

As an owner of Naim and Dynaudio I would echo that the more power you give the Dyn's the better they respond and if you want an integrated amp a Supernait might be better. The SN1 is a real bargain and has an onboard dac so you could just connect up a laptop and give streaming a try. 

Mikeaudio1 posted:

One other question-  are the outboard power supplies (Flatcap, etc) [on a possible NAIT XS2] that advantageous to the sonics to justify the $$$ and what to look for in a pre-owned unit? 

Many say yes, a few say no. You will have to hear for yourself.

I have a newish FCXS on my NAIT XS. But I have also had a HC-DR on an earlier XS that I owned in a more ambitious Naim set. The key to buying a used *cap is to buy the youngest you can. The serial numbers at the bottom of this page gives you the age of a unit. IIRC *caps should be recapped every ten years after which, they will become as new again.

But it's an idea from Joerand to just get a handle on the sound of NAIT XS2 first in your room.

Adam Zielinski posted:

How about a Uniti Star? Just one box that does everything you need, sounds good.

It will also will give you features you may want to explore gradually (internet radio, streaming - web-based and local storage).

Adam (and Mike),

since Mike (as I suppose is the OP's name) didn't mention any intention to go streaming, or ripping, and has a more than good CD drive (Teac VRDSs are renown mechanisms), why not a Nova instead? Anyway, he just needs an amp (and a DAC) and a wire to connect the phono stage to the amp, so the problem should be sorted easily.

My own suggestions are (in no special order): Supernait (the classic, in the end I prefer it to the 2), Nova (compared accurately with the Supernait 2, no game IMO), Nait XS (with or without FC but if one has to spend some extra on it, I say definitely a Powerline not a FC), avoid the SuperUniti like the plague, and – but 85dB are objectively low efficiency – even an Atom, which is even more pleasant, in some conditions, than the Nova. But a little minor in power and drive.

The Atom's or Nova's obvious advantages are:

- Newer designs

- Sound very good

- Are beautiful

- Are open to new platforms and ways of listening.

Best

M.

(P.S. I read that Focus 110s can be a little heavy in bass, which would make me suggest a Nova rather than a SN. Or a Nait XS. Mike should first be well aware that a SN or an XS on the one hand, and an Atom or a Nova on the other hand, represent two distinct generations of Naim sound and have different targets, so if I had to start afresh today, with a few grands and some freedom of movement and good ears, I'd go for a Core, an Atom and different speakers.)

Good suggestions from Max

Dzięki!