System upgrade - advice sought

Posted by: DJH on 16 April 2002

My current system - Marantx CD63SE, Aura VA100II, Ruark Templars - is about 8 years old, and I'd like to think about upgrading it. With about £5,000 budget, and looking at Naim gear (again, for a CD only based system), I think I have two options ;

Change everything;
Naim CD5 1125
NAC112 / NAP150 1375
New speakers 1500
Flatcap 2 475
Cables, etc. 500
Total 4975

Keep Ruarks at present;
Naim CDX 2400
NAC102 / NAP180 2360
Cables, etc. 500
Total 5260

Would there be a major difference between the two options? Would the Ruarks work well in option 2? I would appreciate comments / advice, and other options that people would recommend. TIA.

Posted on: 16 April 2002 by Steve G

As an alternative have you considered used? £5000 should get you a new CDX and used 72/Hi/250 & SBL's without too much trouble.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 16 April 2002 by Mike Sae

The good news is you don't need to spend 500 on cables. 2 X 3.5m (minimum recommended length) runs of Naim NACA 5 cable shouldn't be more than 50 ukp. Indeed, If you're dropping 5g at a dealer, they should give you the cable au gratis.
Stock Naim interconnects are included and really are the best for the job.

So, you've got an extra 500 to play with

I don't know Ruark Templars, but thought their Talismans were competent enough. Option 2 will give you a far superior system, and you'll be able to buy some other speakers later on down the road.

1500 for speakers in option 1 is rather excessive, IMO. I'd put no more than 7-900 there.
Add the 500 you saved with cables- that gives you and extra 1300. Insert a CDX in option one or look into a Naim Fraim, Mana or another rack of similar calibre.

Best of luck,

mike

Posted on: 16 April 2002 by DJH

Thanks for the very swift replies. In option 1, I was thinking of s/h Quad ESL-63's, which seem to be going for about £1500 - do these work well with Naim gear?