As my darling wife and I are struggling to decide what to get each other for Christmas she has decided that we’re each to get 500 quid to spend on whatever we want (although I expect she might have difficulty accepting my preference being for a weekend in Amsterdam with the lads!).
One option I’m considering is upgrading my main hi-fi system. This currently consists of Thorens TD160 with Audio Technica arm & cartridge, CD3.5, Sony MDS-JE520 Minidisc, NAC32.5/SNAPS/140 & Credos, QED headphone amp, Sennheiser HD565 ovation headphones. Listening is about 80% CD and 20% LP. The mini-disc player is only used for making recordings for my portable players. The turntable and CD player live on a 2 tier Wallnut II wall shelf, the rest is on a 5 tier Target rack.
Several options I can think of are:
1) Replace the 32.5 with a used 72
2) Replace the turntable with a used LP12 and get Mana soundbases for the Credos
3) Get a 2nd used 140 (or upgrade my spare 110) and an IXO and go active
What would you do? Any other options I should be considering?
There is no point suggesting more CD’s or LP’s as I don’t have any particular restrictions in place for buying those anyway as SWMBO only notices lump sum purchases…
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Phil Barry
How about powers supplies?
Upgrade the SNAPS to dual rails and get a used hicap; or sell the SNAPS and get 2 used hicaps. Determine which goes where via experimentation.
Phil
[This message was edited by Phil Barry on SATURDAY 15 December 2001 at 23:08.]
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by garyi
How about the point of all this kit, a load of software.
Nothing better than a good trawl through a Virgin.
snigger.
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Don Atkinson
My comments on your three propositions are:-
My upgrade from 32.5 to 72 was at best, marginal. It took me WEEKS of careful listening before I decided to upgrade and in some areas of detail the 32.5 still sounded better. Not Great Value
A Thorens 160 is a bloody good deck according to my mate 'Tone' and I agree. A second hand LP12 might need quite a bit doing to it; or adding to it; to get a good improvement over your Thorens. Very risky!
Getting a second power amp and going active I haven't done, mainly because i've never owned a pair of speakers with an 'external' crossover. Although I have a few reservations about 'active sounds' many people find them more detailed and controlled. Stikes me as the best of your three bets.
As for other options? You could get a decent second hand 250 if you traded in your existing power amp.
I would try to dem options 3 and 4 and base my choice on that outcome.
Enjoy your new Xmas present when you get it!!
Cheers
Don
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Mike Sae
Have you considered a flatcap for your 3.5? Since you listen to 80% CD, an olde style flatcap would be a great improvement and blend in well, avoiding SWMBO wrath.
Hell, for 500UKP you could get a 2nd hand hicap.
[This message was edited by Mike Sae on SUNDAY 16 December 2001 at 01:35.]
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Jay
Hi Steve
Hi-cap on the CD3.5 get's my vote. You can move it to your 32.5 when you get a CDX next Xmas!!
Jay
[This message was edited by Jay on SUNDAY 16 December 2001 at 05:03.]
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Bob Edwards
Steve--
I don't know if this will fit in your budget, but a Flatcap on the CD3.5 is a great idea; if you can turn the SNAPS and the remaining funds into a Hicap on the 32.5 you'd have an significant improvement (although what you have now should sound great).
The 32.5 to 72 is one of those things where if it is really cheap to do--OK. I think you'd get better bang for the buck (or pound) elsewhere.
Cheers and happy holidays !
Bob
Posted on: 15 December 2001 by Eric Barry
I've had experience of much of the kit involved here. I have gone from 32-5/snaps/140 to 32-5/hi/140 to 72/hi/140. And I've had a Thorens TD165 (not as nice as 160, but mine was modded) and LP12/Akito.
So
1)32-5 to 72--With my units this was a nice upgrade, giving smoother, creamier, tighter sounds and allowing poor recordings to be more enjoyable. You should be able to get a 72 for 300 pounds and flog the 32-5 for 150. Worthwhile at that price.
2)Thorens to LP12--I think this is a big upgrade, but the Thorens is quite good and you don't listen to much vinyl, and doing this will expose your CD3.5. So I'd only do this if I were going to up my vinyl listening. Cost should be 350 or more for an LP12/Ittok.
3)Used hicap or new flatcap--Given your priorities I think this is the way to go. I'd go for dual-railed snaps on the CD, hicap on the pre. The hicap is definitely a more substantial upgrade than 32-5 to 72. Maybe you could find a 72/hicap for 600-650 and sell the 32-5. Advantages of the hicap is that it will improve both your preamp and your source substantially.
--Eri
Posted on: 16 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
How about the point of all this kit, a load of software.Nothing better than a good trawl through a Virgin.
snigger.
Or how about you reading my post? ;-)
I did say not to consider software. I have about 1500 CD's already and add to that at the rate of around 10-20 CD's a month. I'm also currenty buying vinyl (new and used) at the rate of perhaps 5-10 LP's a month.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 16 December 2001 by Andy Kirby
Hi Steve,
My 2p's worth, how about having your kit recapped if it has not already been done? You have the option to upgrade the 32.5 with the 72 boards, I am sure you know of the mod. if not just search on '72 boards and 32.5'. While it's away you can have the Snaps upgraded to Duel Rail status. Could well leave enough over to purchase a HiCap.
Do you run a seperate spur? Not as visualy satisfying as new boxes but a recognized cheap and worth while upgrade.
No point upgrading unless you current kit is in 'tip top' order.
Whatever you decide, Enjoy.
Regards
Andy K.
Posted on: 16 December 2001 by Dr. Exotica
If I were in your shoes - I would dual-rail the SNAPS, hook it to the CD3.5, then buy a second hand Hi-Cap and hook it to you 32.5. I believe others have expressed this opinion as well.
Erik
Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Steve G
I'll definitely consider the power supply options. By the way will Naim dual rail my SNAPS and at what cost?
I've also been thinking over another option (and my budget has increased to 600 quid!). I'm currently using Credos in a small room in which they're not ideal. I'm thinking about moving them into my lounge system and getting more appropriate speakers for my study. The speakers would be about 4-5' apart and about 7-8' from my listening position in a 12'x8' room. I was thinking about various small standmounters - Sonus Faber Concertinos, Dali Menuets, etc. I like the mid-range from Linn Saras I heard recently but not the bass or treble. I don't mind buying used. Linn Kans would be ideal but I've been struggling to find a set.
The speakers would have to work with either a 110 or 140.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 18 December 2001 by Eric Barry
It cost me $120, shipping included, to have a snaps dual-railed and recapped from NANA. UK service prices are probably lower.
--Eric
Posted on: 11 January 2002 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Eric Barry:
It cost me $120, shipping included, to have a snaps dual-railed and recapped from NANA. UK service prices are probably lower.--Eric
I dual railed the SNAPS myself - it's a little fiddly but not too difficult. The caps looked fine so I don't think I'm going to get it re-capped yet. So far I've only tried the SNAPS2 on the pre and not the CD player but I'll probably play with that tomorrow.
Now I just need to find a cheap Hicap.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 11 January 2002 by Dr. Exotica
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:I dual railed the SNAPS myself - it's a little fiddly but not too difficult. The caps looked fine so I don't think I'm going to get it re-capped yet. So far I've only tried the SNAPS2 on the pre and not the CD player but I'll probably play with that tomorrow.
Based upon instructions posted previously in this forum, I dual railed my SNAPS earlier this week (it was recapped but not dual-railed by NANA three months ago). It was actually a pretty easy process once I had the necessary DIN-5 connector. The soldering is simple and it took all of 15-30 minutes (being very careful, checking, testing, etc.). It makes my CD3.5 sound even better. Quite glad I did it.
Erik
