Will an A/B demo tell the whole story?

Posted by: Roy T on 28 November 2002

If you pick the best possible source and supports (same selection for each system) then demo each system what do you think would your overpowering impression of the demo?

A nac552/nap250/sl2.
B nac252/supercap/nap300/nbl.

From what I can discover these two systems are close in total cost but exhibit widely differing design philosophies.

Should nac552/nap250/sl2 wipe the floor with nac252/supercap/nap300/nbl?
Would one be so much more musical than the other?


After reading about Ron’s sessions with the CD5/Supercap/nac52 thing I am not too sure I know what to expect. I ask this because I don’t have either the bank balance or a big enough room to do justice to the kit and I am loath to BS a dealer for a demo.

Any views, ideas or done the demo?
Posted on: 29 November 2002 by Dev B
I am doing a dem next Saturday of:

- CDS2, 552, 135, SL2

vs

- CDS2, 52, 500, SL2

vs

- CDS2, 52, 135, NBL

with a CD12 thrown in for good measure.
Posted on: 29 November 2002 by Roy T
Tom, Dev B, thanks for you thoughts.

I had a go at roughly pricing the systems and as you can see the spending is heavily skewed towards the preamp.

nac552(11750), nap250(2250), sl2(4995), total 18995
nac252+s’cap(7015), nap300(4750), nbl(6925), total 18690

Would the demo be a walkover for the 552 system?

Would one system be much, much more musical than the other?

Which is the best apportionment of funds?

I just don’t know.


Dev B, I hope your demo goes well and your bank balance is as big as the system you are auditioning.
Posted on: 30 November 2002 by NB
Doesn't it come down to personal preference.

I am sure that doing an A/b demonstaration with the two systems that you suggest will only determine which system you prefer with that music at that time.

I am sure that both systems will sound fantastic and will present different characteristics. As to which is better will come down to how you define better and your own personal choice.

I would imagine that the 552/500/SL2 will provide more insight to the music whereas the 252/300/NBL will produce a bigger/deeper sound due to the NBL's being the bigger, better speaker.

It is a demonstration I would love to undertake and find out for myself.

Regards

NB
Posted on: 30 November 2002 by Steve Toy
An A/B dem will tell you which you prefer in the short term.

In the long run however, you may prefer the less exciting and more easy-on-the-ear presentation.

Some systems grab your attention like a curvaceous and raunchy blonde. Others gently ply you with their subtle charms over time.

Which one do you settle for in the end?

Regards,

Steve.

It's just a pleasure to hear music as it was intended to be heard.