Have I got a hearing issue?

Meerkat posted:

 

 

An update to my original post:

Yesterday, I demoed the same system at a different dealer, but without my Spendor A5s. Instead, we used PMC Twenty5 26. Oh my goodness, absolutely wonderful, night and day compared to the previous demo.

So, was it just my A5s holding back the NDX 2, 282, HiCapDR, 250DR, or something else?

That was the good news...The bad news, those PMC Twenty5 26 are nearly 8K, way over my budget! I may try Kudos Super 20A. Can't demo the speakers side by side, as the dealers that I use, do not stock both brands. I don't have much luck with pre-loved gear, so won't go down that road.

I guess I could do an extra paper round and save up.

A few years ago, I bought a pair of A5s because they were a bargain price. They sounded truly awful, so much so that I was convinced they must be faulty. I took them to a Spendor dealer, and we listened to them in his demo room, and he agreed that they sounded muffled and just generally poor. We tried his demo pair, and they were just the same! He was also a Kudos dealer, and for his troubles, he did get a sale out of it. So yes, if my experience is anything to go by, perhaps it's just your A5s   

ChrisSU posted:

Meerkat posted:

 

 

An update to my original post:

Yesterday, I demoed the same system at a different dealer, but without my Spendor A5s. Instead, we used PMC Twenty5 26. Oh my goodness, absolutely wonderful, night and day compared to the previous demo.

So, was it just my A5s holding back the NDX 2, 282, HiCapDR, 250DR, or something else?

That was the good news...The bad news, those PMC Twenty5 26 are nearly 8K, way over my budget! I may try Kudos Super 20A. Can't demo the speakers side by side, as the dealers that I use, do not stock both brands. I don't have much luck with pre-loved gear, so won't go down that road.

I guess I could do an extra paper round and save up.

A few years ago, I bought a pair of A5s because they were a bargain price. They sounded truly awful, so much so that I was convinced they must be faulty. I took them to a Spendor dealer, and we listened to them in his demo room, and he agreed that they sounded muffled and just generally poor. We tried his demo pair, and they were just the same! He was also a Kudos dealer, and for his troubles, he did get a sale out of it. So yes, if my experience is anything to go by, perhaps it's just your A5s   

Thanks ChrisSU for your reply...I am aware that A5s are not greatly received on the forum.

To be fair, because of their size, floor standing speakers can be a nightmare to demo in your own home. I am trying to find a dealer that sells Kudos and PMC...The dealers within 100 miles of me (Grantham) do not sell both.  I'd love to hear a side by side comparison.

I am doing another demo on Monday, so I'll demo the Kudos Super 20A with the NDX 2/282/HiCapDR/250DR.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Meerkat posted:

I think HH used to own the twenty 24s, before his SBLs ??

I thought Kans but I could be wrong.

No idea if Kans, but I do remember he had Twenty somethings, possibly 24.

Chris is right, I had Kans before I got SBLs in 1994. Before the SL2s, whichbive had for two years now, I had PMC twenty.23s. Very good speakers, and a sensible size too, unlike the 26, which are massive. Along the way I had the misfortune to own some A5s. Chris (the other one) is being kind when he says they were truly awful. 

hungryhalibut posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Meerkat posted:

I think HH used to own the twenty 24s, before his SBLs ??

I thought Kans but I could be wrong.

No idea if Kans, but I do remember he had Twenty somethings, possibly 24.

Chris is right, I had Kans before I got SBLs in 1994. Before the SL2s, whichbive had for two years now, I had PMC twenty.23s. Very good speakers, and a sensible size too, unlike the 26, which are massive. Along the way I had the misfortune to own some A5s. Chris (the other one) is being kind when he says they were truly awful. 

Morning HH...I was looking at your 'System Pics' from a few years ago, and saw your PMCs.

Yes, I do recall your feelings on the A5s a few years ago. Like you, it's time to move on and get some new ones, and bring out the best of Naim.

I have never had a two way speaker, I just assumed that a three way must surely be better. I think that was so wrong of me!

Do you have an opinion on the twenty5 series (twenty5 26) against the older twenty series (twenty.24) ?

Thanks

I’ve never heard either of those speakers so cannnot help there. One thing I would say is that buying new speakers is hugely expensive. I know you are wary of used, but if you buy from a dealer you should be ok. That way you get much better value. For example, I bought my SL2s from Cymbiosis for £2,100, which to me is a bargain for what you get. Then there is more to spend on electronics. Why spend £7,000 or whatever on say the 26s only to have them worth half that as soon as you get them out of the box. All my electronics were bought new, but they depreciate far less. You can get the twenty.23 like I had for under £1,500 these days and it may be all you need. 

If you really do not want to buy in the second hand market I can understand. Try forcing your dealer into offering an ex demo price. I think the look on my face when I was told I would have to wait a few months for my PMC 25.26 got an immediate offer on the demo pair which were only 4 weeks old.

hungryhalibut posted:

For example, I bought my SL2s from Cymbiosis for £2,100, which to me is a bargain for what you get. Then there is more to spend on electronics. Why spend £7,000 or whatever on say the 26s only to have them worth half that as soon as you get them out of the box. All my electronics were bought new, but they depreciate far less. You can get the twenty.23 like I had for under £1,500 these days and it may be all you need. 

I do agree, but prefer black or maple. The ones I demoed a couple of days ago were walnut.

Meerkat posted:

hungryhalibut posted:

For example, I bought my SL2s from Cymbiosis for £2,100, which to me is a bargain for what you get. Then there is more to spend on electronics. Why spend £7,000 or whatever on say the 26s only to have them worth half that as soon as you get them out of the box. All my electronics were bought new, but they depreciate far less. You can get the twenty.23 like I had for under £1,500 these days and it may be all you need. 

I do agree, but prefer black or maple. The ones I demoed a couple of days ago were walnut.

Just found a dealer selling a pair of PMC twenty5 26, for £5000! Ex demo in black, dealer say's mint condition. The dealer is in London, but I live in Grantham. 

Should I risk it for a biscuit?

If the dealer is serious about selling them he might still allow you a home demo if you ask nicely. After all, you will never know until you’ve heard them at home. Some dealers are reluctant to offer home demos to new customers, but if you’re prepared to pay up front they may let you.