General Upgrade Question

Posted by: Todd A on 22 January 2002

Having just purchased a CDX and hearing the better than expected improvement in sound quality over my 3.5, I have begun thinking in earnest of future upgrades. I will not be in the market for an upgrade until at least the fall, but I want to start planning (and saving) now. My current setup is a CDX / Nait 5 / FlatCap2 / Vienna Acoustics Bach. I am most interested in upgrading the core electronics one step at a time. Keeping in mind that I will be keeping the Nait 5 and FlatCap2 to upgrade my second system, I am currently thinking of the following upgrades:

1.) Hi-cap to replace the FlatCap2
2.) NAP250
3.) NAC82

I’ve selected these components because I want to make substantial improvements when I do upgrade. I see no reason, for instance, to move up to a NAP150 or NAC102. It may take a couple of years to accomplish, but this seems logical. Any suggestions on other pieces or on the order?

Posted on: 22 January 2002 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Arola:
1.) Hi-cap to replace the FlatCap2
2.) NAP250
3.) NAC82

Or:-

1) NAP250
2) NAC82 (This will give you the most benefit, but you need a power amp first, unless you can run the NAIT as a power amp)
3) HiCap (ditto the 82, leave the NAP250 until last if you can make a working 82/HiCap/NAIT-as-power-amp system).

I've not heard these combo's, but they are the orthodoxy.

I suspect, though, that some or all of these components will be replaced in the range by the time your strategy has run it's course.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 22 January 2002 by JohnS

If the Nait 5 kicks ass as well as I remember the Nait 2 doing, then you might be better off with an XPS on the CDX - this upgrade was a "substantial improvement" for me, so should fit your requirements.

-John