Active Or Not

Posted by: MontyW on 21 November 2000

I would like some advice - should I go active my 3.5/flatcap, 92/flatcap and 90 - Credos - LP12 Ittock - K9. I have a few quid to spend and have seen a second hand 90 and IXO both for under £500 - should I buy? Or should I just blow the whole lot on a CD's & LP's?? Above all what improvements in sound am I likely to get from going active, can anyone advise who has done this?

Cheers,

Dave

Posted on: 21 November 2000 by Phil Barry
Yes, front end first is likely to pay much bigger dividends than going active at this stage. Even moving to a 140 would be a good move - but I never liked the 90.

I'm writing to mention that while Linn considers the Ttable drive to be more important that the arm, Naim does not. The ARO should come before the 'geddon. If you prefer the Ekos, the Lingo should come first.

The ARO is a fantastic buy.

Regards.

Phil

Posted on: 22 November 2000 by Naheed
Dave, I went active with a 102/napsc/hicap/ixo/140s over two years ago, and still believe it was the best move (after mana) I have made to DATE, the increase in PraT was the greatest benefit.

I found after a demo consisting of various cdx, xps, 3.5, ixo variations the ixo option was by far the best. In the end I ditched the cdx option and went for the ixo, but in hindsight the snaxo 2-4/hicap would have been a better long-term solution (price wise) but the ixo was nearly a third of the cost.

I have heard a single 250 in basically my setup, yes it had more 'weighty-control' but had nowhere near the dynamics of the active option, the improvement was obvious (to me).

I think the ixo is a naim 'great-faliure', great in terms of its sonic abilities, and failure in terms of a misunderstood/overlooked nugget.

Some 'crazy' people are selling ixo's for £300 (BARGAIN), my advice dave if you have no aspiring full-on naim plans and you like your system (aesthetically it'll look good – all slimline series) then hawk the Loot and DO IT

naheed...

Posted on: 22 November 2000 by Dev B
You've got a fine system, I would be inclined take the system active, it will sound a lot better more clearer and will be able to play louder wth less distortion.

Alternatively you could scan the ads for a second hand Naim tuner a decent aerial (an 03 or 02).

regards

Dev

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Rico
Source first, or go buy a whole lotta records.

While Naheed's observations above are valid, it must be noted that many who have embarked on a "mullet" upgrade path enter also into an upgrading spiral (an uphill one, at that)... each upgrade exposes the limitations of the chain preceeding it, prompting another upgrade.... until you finally end up with a CDSII in your system, with a large credit bill.

Just like a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum in NYC - Start at the Top .

Rico - musichead

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Naheed
Your too late

naheed...

Posted on: 23 November 2000 by Rico
Naheed, that's a novel mode of communication! Just where did you learn it, and what does it mean?

Rico - musichead

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Naheed
The IXO and NAP 90 are on their way to a new 'happier' home.

naheed...

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Rico
quote:
The IXO and NAP 90 are on their way to a new 'happier' home.

Wow! Well come on man, spill the beans! Where is your system going now, and don't forget to mention the black-shiny supports! We're keen to hear of your dem/experiments/discoveries. Have you traded that kit for more source, more mana, more music; or did a), or b), give you more c) anyway?!

Rico - musichead

Posted on: 24 November 2000 by Naheed
Not me Dave ...

But my shiny black tables are working a treat the cds2 is on hold. So it'll be more tables (P7) and loads of music at the moment.

With the shiny black tables, i now buy around 6-9 cd's a month compared to the 1-2 previously. Its exactly what i want from my system (musical enjoyment).

naheed...

[This message was edited by Naheed on FRIDAY 24 November 2000 at 13:40.]