3 box challenge

32.5/140, CDS1, XPS 

72,140, cds2,xps

Wadkri posted:

Dear forum,

1) Assume you’d only have enough rackspace for 3 full size naim boxes (shoe box products counts as 1/2, nap 500 as 2), and an unlimited budget. What setup would you go for?

2) I’m currently owning a 272 which I really like. What 2 other boxes would you get in order to get the best system possible?

 

If you have a 272 you need a poweramp (or just sell the 272)

Nap 100 if speakers match

Nat 02 tuner

Perhaps a CDX or TT

1 - ND555 / 555PS / SN2

2 - 272 / 555PS / 250DR

Could i get away with, and dare to suggest, a unitiserve and Devialet 440?

N272 + 555PSDR + NAP250DR

I love the way the set-up I have right now (i.e. 'only' three levels of Fraim; in fact, FraimLite in my case) is being used as a 'bare bones' hypothetical. You guys...

So, I suppose out of pure self-respect if nothing else, I would have to say 'my current system': CDX2/202/200.

It's all that some of us poor destitute orphans can afford.

Mark

ct posted:

Could i get away with, and dare to suggest, a unitiserve and Devialet 440?

Hmmm, I was thinking naim only setups, but thanks for the suggestion ????

Ebor posted:

I love the way the set-up I have right now (i.e. 'only' three levels of Fraim; in fact, FraimLite in my case) is being used as a 'bare bones' hypothetical. You guys...

So, I suppose out of pure self-respect if nothing else, I would have to say 'my current system': CDX2/202/200.

It's all that some of us poor destitute orphans can afford.

Mark

Some of the three box suggestions do not include a source

It will have to be a supernait with good source  or 272 with good amp really??

Great combo Mark! I used to have a ndx/202/200 combo. However I grew in terms of boxes and became “a monster” according to my wife. So now we have agreed on a three box maximum system ????.

Nd555/555PS/SN2

Japtimscarlet posted:

Some of the three box suggestions do not include a source

It will have to be a supernait with good source  or 272 with good amp really??

I would have the first Naim system Never heard. Chrome Bumper: 32.5/hi cap/250

Source would be LP12 of course fitted with BNC plugs for connection to 32.5 

True Japtimscarlet, a system without a source is like a car without engine.

Unitiserve into Dac v1 into hicap into snaxo 242 into dual nap 100's into active SBL's.

NDX2/XPSDR and SN2

The one i use. CDS3, XPS2, Nait 5. Alternatively the one i used before this,  CDS3, XPS2, Nait 2.

Bob the Builder posted:

Nd555/555PS/SN2

This is my 3 box Naim only system as per OP but as others are stretching it of course it would be own system 102/Napsc/HC/180 source my LP12.

CDS3, XPS2 and Nait XS, all pleasure.

C.

As for question one, and sticking with current kit available to buy new, I might well go along with Bob and choose an ND555 + 555PS + Supernait 2.  The problem is I have never actually heard a Supernait 2, so the dealer will have to arrange the demo, but if three boxes were my limit and money was no object, that's the Naim system I'd have at the top of my list to hear.

However, I'm not sure I could live without spinning LPs, so alternatively, assuming the record player of choice counts as one box (my RP10 is small enough and I'd be very happy to make it my choice), then I guess we're back to the Supernait 2 again and a Superline with a Hicap.

Considering the question further, if I strip down the RP10 to its skeleton form,  perhaps it then only counts as 1/2 a box, in which case I'll trade the Hicap for a Supercap. Yes, that's better...

I thought this was Naim boxes only????

Keeping with three Naim boxes....

to go with something I could possibly afford.......

XPS-DR > NDX-2 > SN2 into passive speakers

and if I hit the lottery......

NDX-2 > Supercap > NAC 252 into active speakers

272/555/250DR vs ND555/555/SN2 would be an interesting shout out!