System balance

Posted by: redeye on 24 June 2003

It may be a figment of my imagination but recently I seem to have read more and more comments about how to un-balance a system.

Punter goes to town and buys him(her)self the latest big bad box. Gets it home and doesn't like what it does. Helpful forum dwellers weigh in with the usual you didn't give it long enough or all that powering up/down made the comparison meaningless. Y'know...the usual.

What does interest me though is the theory that introducing say a better pre into a system can unbalance the whole shebang?
Is it fair to say that Naim have levels? For instance in my CDX,102,Psu,HC,180,Credo thing would the addition of an 82 somehow disrupt things? The fix of course being better get an XPS with that, Sir.

In short..does one box upgrade require others rapidly afterward to restore the 'balance' of the previous system? I ask because upgrades do seem to happen in clumps don't they Eek


redeye

ps..the 82 scenario described above is an example only
Posted on: 24 June 2003 by Mike Sae
quote:
I ask because upgrades do seem to happen in clumps don't they


They do, indeed.
You know the story:
Want a 72? Well you just gotta have a Hi-cap. 102? Without the napsc you may as well have stayed with the 72.
82? Well, only a pauper would use a single Hi-cap with and 82.

I can't comment on throwing your sistem out of balance due to a better pre, but you'll surely find that your source isn't good enough and soon your speakers aren't letting the preamp shine through.

It goes on and on until you're utterly broke or one of those sad nerds with a 552/500 (sorry Nick)

quote:
ps..the 82 scenario described above is an example only


That's bull! C'mon, what are you contemplating?

I absolutely hate that I've become a rabid rack man (I used to be a leg man), but I must insist- DONT BUY NOTHIN' TIL YOU GET A GOOD RACK

PS my eternal self loathing is over now that I've got the QSRR. No more crazy downgrade ideas, no more crazy upgrading ideas!
Posted on: 24 June 2003 by redeye
Me not plotting, me honest injun Cool

In the last couple of months I've turned down the chance to buy a Mana 6 tier amp stand, 82 and a Scap all at pretty decent prices.

Maybe I am becoming immune? Maybe I'm just spending waaay too much time watching Buffy on DVD Wink
Posted on: 24 June 2003 by Jay
Red I

I don't think a CDX/82/Hi/180/Credo is unbalanced at all. Maybe a CDX/52/Super/180/Credo or a CDX/102/Hi/500/Credo. The CDX is a great CD player, it ain't outclassed in my very humble bumble (ready for a rumble) experience!

Jay

Yeah...well it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Posted on: 25 June 2003 by redeye
Predictably this thread went down like a cup of cold sick with a hair in it Roll Eyes

Richie..ta, enjoy your attempts too. Even the ones that outrage the populace. Silly sods!


redeye
Posted on: 25 June 2003 by Bob Edwards
Redeye--

I know what you mean. I recently bought a 52/Super, which replaced a 72/Super. Now that it is warmed up, the 52 really exposes the CDX/XPS as being WAY behind my LP12. Consequently, I started looking for a CDS2 although I've not bought one.

On vinyl, my system is absolutely fabulous (to me). On CD, it sounds good but lacks that "one more piece of music" thing the LP12 has. So yeah, I'm tempted to upgrade in bunches.

I can't help but wonder if I'd feel the same way if I had gotten the CDS2 head unit and then something like an 82 to replace the 72. So I think there is something to the idea that people seek balance, even if unconsciously.

Finally, I would note that people who have systems that are source heavy are invariably happier with their systems than those who have more mulletish systems.

Best,

Bob
Posted on: 26 June 2003 by Jay
So what's your theory Big Red? You've read about it and heard from the team, come on down and take the spotlight.

Jay

Yeah...well it seemed like a good idea at the time.