SL1's and Axess/Axent

Posted by: rael on 01 August 2003

Current System ( part on order )
CDXII/XPS2/252/250/SCII/AV2/V175 Proac D15's

As stated in a previous thread I am investigating speaker options as an alternative to the Proacs, for music and AV purposes. I am tempted to go with Naim speakers all round and in order to get a significant improvement on the Proacs that would means SL1's as opposed to Allaes ?? and an Axess/Axent Centre, not sure what to do about the rears.

The question is if I chose an Axess Centre would this work ok with the SL1's and also I assume I would have to upgrade the amp from V175 to a V145 to benefit. So the question is with the above front end config, what are the recommended or balanced naim or otherwise set-ups for AV and music.

Thanks

Rael

Posted on: 01 August 2003 by Frank Abela

Rael,

The D15s are in the same price range of the Allaes. You say in your note that you're looking for an alternative to Proac for music and AV. If you are looking for a change in approach or a change in presentation, then even the Allaes may provide the sort of change you're looking for. The SL2 is priced more closely to something like Response 3.8's. You'll obviously get a bigger kick from that but it wouldn't be correct to actually compare SL2's to D15's. therefore, i would choose to listen to speakers in the same price range to find the presentation you're after. If none are to your liking then consider more expensive items.

Now let's say you preferred the Naim presentation. Then you could consider Allaes all the way around with an Axess in the middle - the Axess and Allaes can be driven by a 175 even if it won't take advantage of them as successfully as bigger amps, but then that's the beauty of the Naim upgrade hierarchy - you can replace parts when you need to. the next move would be the NAPV145 for the Axess/Axent and then you'd follow that with either a 300 for the fronts (and place the 250 on the rears) or a new 250 for the rears.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 03 August 2003 by rael

Thanks Frank for your comments

I have just changed my order with my dealer in an attempt to buy kit that I will be content to stay with and avoid this constant urge to upgrade, the setup wil now be
CDXII/XPS2/252/300/SCII/D15's ( 252/300/SCII on order )

So I think the next upgrade would be to change upto the CDS3, followed by an review of different front speaker configs to inc. the Axess centre and Intros for the rear channels, using a V145 to obtain the required balance between the 300 driving the front speakers.

I am keen that when I change from the Proac D15's that it is not a sideways move but rather an upgrade, so I would be interested to hear anyones views on appropriate speakers which can be used effectively for music and AV which would do justice to the above setup, preferably using the same manufacturer of speaker all round.

Many Thanks for your input.

Rael