Jumping the upgrade ladder

Posted by: Harris V on 14 November 2001

What do you all think about making large jumps on the upgrade ladder? I am personally thinking about waiting an extra 6 months before I upgrade my modest system (Nait 3/CD5) so that I can jump straight to 250/102/Hi or similar and then waiting some long time after to upgrade the source. The alternative is to go with the new 5 series now and then upgrade further in two years.

Making large jumps seems to make more financial sense but will I be missing out on musical enjoyment?

Posted on: 14 November 2001 by Phil Barry

Making small jumps is more costly. It also puts off the day when you can do no better - and reproduced music at home is still much less satisfying than live music.

But you're the only one who can evaluate musical enjoyment. Go to a dealer and demo the 5-series againts the 102/hi/250. I would suspect that it's worth a 6 month wait, but if you listen, you'll KNOW what's best for you.

Have fun!

Phil

Posted on: 14 November 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Go to a dealer and demo the 5-series againts the 102/hi/250.

...and whilst you are there compare it against a CDX or better into your Nait 3 - you might be surprised at the outcome! Big jumps do make a lot of sense, but doing them in a source first order will produce a far better system whilst you are waiting for that next upgrade.

Tony.

Posted on: 14 November 2001 by Scott Mckenzie

I have thought about this many a time too...with the prices of second hand gear, I am also tempted to wait and jump quite high up the ladder.

I have recently seen NAP 140's for £350, 180's for £600 and 250's for £850. I therefore think that as there isn't 'much' difference in price I would do as well to stick with my Nait 3R at the moment (especially as my room is relatively at the moment and the Nait works fine) and when the room grows I could jump straight to the 180/250 [dreaming] 500... [/dreaming]

As far as pre-amps go, I would probably convert my 3R into a 92R to start with (as it is a cheap step) and then have a listen to the 102/82.

The next thing I AM planning on upgrading though (as many may know) is my CD player, from an Arcam 7SE to a Naim of some sort, I think my plan for this will probably be a CD3.5 so I can add a Hi-Cap at some stage, and then do the jump to CDX/XPS.

Or I could try and win the lottery and just buy the lot tonight....

Scott

Posted on: 15 November 2001 by Steve C 01

I upgraded initially from Nait3 to 92/140 before I fully appreciated the upgrade path. Once I cottoned on, I saved my pennies for a while and upgraded straight to 82/Hi/250 (while still keeping the 3.5/Flat for now). This leaves me in an ideal position to move to CDX once I've scraped together another wedge.

It's definitely cheaper than going through 72 & 102 and 180, and the leap was amazing.

Scott - don't convert your Nait3 to a 92; that was my mistake. It'll cost you £40+vat and when you come to sell it it's only worth £225 or so. Sell your Nait3 for circa £300 and get a 72/140 for around £700ish - much more cost efective in the long run

Steve C 01

Posted on: 16 November 2001 by Jellyheadjeff

Harris,

Wait until you can get a big jump is my advice. In my time I've gone;

Turntable = Dual CS505 -> LP12
Amp to Pre/Power = NAD 3020 -> 62/90
Pre/Power = 62/90 -> 62/HI-CAP/250
Speakers = BW-DM10 -> Gale 302
CD = Philips 850 -> CDX
Pre = 62 -> 52

Each time the differnce has been huge.

An uncle of mine was forever changing his hi-fi equipment for something either slightly better or different sounding for a similar price. I'll be honest the differences where minor IMHO.

He would then trouble himself over what the best compromise was in his decision process. Overall I reckon he spent Sh**t loads compared to going in bigger steps. Somehow he never seemed satisfied. If you make a big jump in like sounding equipment (whatever it may be) there are few compromises & therefore almost everything sound better & therefore satisfaction is far more likely.

Find a sound you like & build on it.....

Jeff
Jeff