(Due to various circumstances I've gone, recently, from:
3.5+ HiCap, 82 + 2*HiCaps, 140, KEF104/2 Refs to:)
Having received a small amount of encouragement, as well as a friend's warning that I've made a rod for my own back here goes...
First off, you should know that these moves were forced on me. I'll spare you the dreary history and secondly, because of that, I don't feel any need to justify them. So, don't fret yourselves about the (apparent base-over-apex logic just enjoy the ride.)
1. from: 3.5+ HiCap, 82 + 2*HiCaps, 140, KEF104/2 to: Denon 1290, Nait 2, MS10i
Oh, dear, where has the music gone. I used to enjoy the Denon before I got Naim but now... things are small, pinched and very un-involving. That said, it's clear that the Nait 2 is a stonking amp. I can really understand Tony L.'s backgrade.
Lost my interrset in music and very nearly the will to live!
2. From: Denon 1290, Nait 2, MS10i to CD 3.5, Nait 2, MS10i
Welcome back music. Feet tapping immediately. Very musical and enjoyable. I could stop here. It sounds right and live flows back into my jaded frame and ears.
3. From: CD 3.5, Nait 2, MS10i to: CD 3.5 + HiCap, Nait 2, MS10i
Well, it's like this. I was quite interested to find out what it would do. Well... I think the best explanation I can manage is this: Imagine a photograph which fills a sheet of A4 landscape in Photoshop. You appreciate the colours, details, low grain, focus etc. then you shift drag the bottom right corner and double the area whilst maintaining the aspect ratio, taking it to A3 landscape. Bigger, better, more detail, better colour saturation, increased acuity/focus and er, less grain. Well, it's a bit like that, if you get my drift, only better. Very difficult to describe, even more difficult to quantify but much more satisfying. Mind you it should be it's now a 1900 gbp cd player! Bearing in mind this is through a Nait 2 and MS10is. Mullet, moi?! Non! Source first certainly makes sense.
4. From: CD 3.5 + HiCap, Nait 2, MS10i to: CD 3.5 + HiCap, 82 +140, MS10i
Very much like the previous stage. More of everything in a MUCH bigger picture. Noise drops through the floor. But where's the bass gone? Oh, I see - more is less. It's there, it's better but it's much more controlled. More detail, more ambience, more music, much more music.
5. From: CD 3.5 + HiCap, 82 +140, MS10i to: CD 3.5 + HiCap. 82 + SuperCap, 140, MS10i
Like the previous 2 stages in spades. Much more detail, much more control and a sense of effortlessness and ease I didn't know was possible. As I write this final, for now, stage is still improving. I expect it's got a long way to go too.
regards,
Mark
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