Auditioning: Please help a newbee!
Posted by: Maxi Me on 28 March 2003
Dear All
I am finally in the position to spend a significant sum (for me) on Hi-Fi. I have a budget of up to £5k. However I am somewhat daunted by the whole demo process.
I have read all the magazines, I have bored my (very understanding) girlfriend stupid, I have been to the Bristol show and I have spent many fun hours trawling through this excellent forum. I therefore know that the ultimate arbiter of what to buy is whatever I enjoy listening to the most.
The question is: How to undertake the listening process?
No-one has produced (that I have seen) a newcomers guide to a dealer demo. The magazines are full of how to wire and position the kit, but how do I organise a good demonstration?
I have found a dealer who has enough variety within my electronics shortlist (obviously including Naim) which seems like a very good starting point and they have given me some sensible sounding pointers.
The specific questions I have are:
1.How many different sets of electronics should I listen to in one session?
2.How much music should I take along?
3.My tastes are varied, so should I try 1 or 2 tracks from lots of CD's or a longer portion from a CD or two?
4.I am looking at different price points, really hoping to justify to myself (and girlfriend mentioned above) that a CD5, Flatcap 2, NAC 112, NAP 150 plus speakers [a whole different topic on which I am avidly following the numerous threads] is the way to go.
In what order should I listen, least to most expensive? The other way around?
5.The other major brand I am interested in is Cyrus (I know I'll probably have forum members hunting me down in order to burn me soon), what would people say are the major sonic differences I should look (listen?) out for are?
I have lots of very confused questions to go, so any general advice would also be welcome.
Thanks in advance
Seth
I am finally in the position to spend a significant sum (for me) on Hi-Fi. I have a budget of up to £5k. However I am somewhat daunted by the whole demo process.
I have read all the magazines, I have bored my (very understanding) girlfriend stupid, I have been to the Bristol show and I have spent many fun hours trawling through this excellent forum. I therefore know that the ultimate arbiter of what to buy is whatever I enjoy listening to the most.
The question is: How to undertake the listening process?
No-one has produced (that I have seen) a newcomers guide to a dealer demo. The magazines are full of how to wire and position the kit, but how do I organise a good demonstration?
I have found a dealer who has enough variety within my electronics shortlist (obviously including Naim) which seems like a very good starting point and they have given me some sensible sounding pointers.
The specific questions I have are:
1.How many different sets of electronics should I listen to in one session?
2.How much music should I take along?
3.My tastes are varied, so should I try 1 or 2 tracks from lots of CD's or a longer portion from a CD or two?
4.I am looking at different price points, really hoping to justify to myself (and girlfriend mentioned above) that a CD5, Flatcap 2, NAC 112, NAP 150 plus speakers [a whole different topic on which I am avidly following the numerous threads] is the way to go.
In what order should I listen, least to most expensive? The other way around?
5.The other major brand I am interested in is Cyrus (I know I'll probably have forum members hunting me down in order to burn me soon), what would people say are the major sonic differences I should look (listen?) out for are?
I have lots of very confused questions to go, so any general advice would also be welcome.
Thanks in advance
Seth
Mekon
Thanks, but the budget includes 0% finance from the dealer, I'm not sure many private sellers provide this
John
Lots of good advice, and updated already! I was hoping to become less confused, oh well!
Totally agree, on the end of my Yamaha DSP-A5 surround amp and Mission 702e's the P3 makes some very enjoyable tunes.
I've recently purchased a Sony RCD-W5 CD recorder and the difference this makes as a front end over the DVD player I did use has prompted the current (and hopefully last) round of upgraditis.
This will be a system to last beyond my forthcoming marriage and (hopefully) children, so I want to get it right.
More suggestions please!
Thanks, but the budget includes 0% finance from the dealer, I'm not sure many private sellers provide this
John
Lots of good advice, and updated already! I was hoping to become less confused, oh well!
quote:
In the end, you'll find that dynamics and musical rhythm are far more important than extracting the last bit of "detail" or "air" out of a recording. My Rega P3 isn't the most "hifi" component in the world, but it makes damn enjoyable music, to such an extent that its limitations are not a major issue.
Totally agree, on the end of my Yamaha DSP-A5 surround amp and Mission 702e's the P3 makes some very enjoyable tunes.
I've recently purchased a Sony RCD-W5 CD recorder and the difference this makes as a front end over the DVD player I did use has prompted the current (and hopefully last) round of upgraditis.
This will be a system to last beyond my forthcoming marriage and (hopefully) children, so I want to get it right.
More suggestions please!
A few pointers.
a.) Find a good dealer.
Remember that many hi-fi dealerships have numerous staff, some good, some less so. Unfortunately, most people working in 'sales' give just that impression. They want to sell stuff. If you are lucky, you will be able to find a person you trust, who is actually interested in you as an individual and your needs, is knowledgable, accomodating but does not pressurise. At the end of the day it's your decision. You don't want to fell that you have made a bad choice a month after handing over your cash.
b.) Take your time.
Ask for a couple of suggestions from the dealer for systems costing, say, 3k. Explore a few variations of source, amp, speakers and decide what you like. Since you are on the Naim forum one of these systems will probably be naim based. There is a lot of other good stuff out there too. Listen to a limited selection of music you are familiar with. Accept suggestions from the dealer as well. After a couple of hours you should have a feel for what 'does it for you.' Whatever you decide, the system should feel enjoyable, familiar and not tiring to listen to.
Thank the dealer for their time and go home.
Next step is to ask what the dealer would suggest as an upgrade of your chosen 3k systems to, say, 5K. Naim is very good in this respect as there is lots of scope for adding power supplies to pre's and CDP's. I would strongly suggest aiming for a system that you can expand in time. Again, Naim is second to none in this respect. You can get virtually any Naim product serviced and there is a strong secondhand market.
Many would advocate a home dem. This is certainly a good idea, but, apart from speakers, I have thus far gone on the impression from the shop.
c.) Make your choice.
Wait with anticipation for the system to be installed. Buy lots of music, tweak, install dedicated mains spurs etc.
The main thing, however, is to enjoy the whole process.
/dl
a.) Find a good dealer.
Remember that many hi-fi dealerships have numerous staff, some good, some less so. Unfortunately, most people working in 'sales' give just that impression. They want to sell stuff. If you are lucky, you will be able to find a person you trust, who is actually interested in you as an individual and your needs, is knowledgable, accomodating but does not pressurise. At the end of the day it's your decision. You don't want to fell that you have made a bad choice a month after handing over your cash.
b.) Take your time.
Ask for a couple of suggestions from the dealer for systems costing, say, 3k. Explore a few variations of source, amp, speakers and decide what you like. Since you are on the Naim forum one of these systems will probably be naim based. There is a lot of other good stuff out there too. Listen to a limited selection of music you are familiar with. Accept suggestions from the dealer as well. After a couple of hours you should have a feel for what 'does it for you.' Whatever you decide, the system should feel enjoyable, familiar and not tiring to listen to.
Thank the dealer for their time and go home.
Next step is to ask what the dealer would suggest as an upgrade of your chosen 3k systems to, say, 5K. Naim is very good in this respect as there is lots of scope for adding power supplies to pre's and CDP's. I would strongly suggest aiming for a system that you can expand in time. Again, Naim is second to none in this respect. You can get virtually any Naim product serviced and there is a strong secondhand market.
Many would advocate a home dem. This is certainly a good idea, but, apart from speakers, I have thus far gone on the impression from the shop.
c.) Make your choice.
Wait with anticipation for the system to be installed. Buy lots of music, tweak, install dedicated mains spurs etc.
The main thing, however, is to enjoy the whole process.
/dl
Thanks everyone.
Sorry for the delayed reply, I was at my (soon to be) Brother-in-Law's stag do up in Sheffield yesterday. Today I was travelling back and then rivetted to the marvelous England grand slam win for a couple of hours!
Anyway, back to the thread. Thanks very much for all the input, I am now looking forward to this process with a lot more confidence.
Roll on installation of the Naim/Cyrus/Quad/Arcam/Insert other electronics of choice/Roksan/Meridian [plus speakers] Hi-Fi
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
Sorry for the delayed reply, I was at my (soon to be) Brother-in-Law's stag do up in Sheffield yesterday. Today I was travelling back and then rivetted to the marvelous England grand slam win for a couple of hours!
Anyway, back to the thread. Thanks very much for all the input, I am now looking forward to this process with a lot more confidence.
Roll on installation of the Naim/Cyrus/Quad/Arcam/Insert other electronics of choice/Roksan/Meridian [plus speakers] Hi-Fi
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
The first demo
Well I've broken my auditioning cherry! Thank you to the forum for making it somewhat less daunting
I went to Hi-Fi Experience on Tottenham Court Road and listened up through the 5 series range with Intros and then had a quick listen to a Cyrus set up at the end. I definitely got a feel for what I enjoyed and will be going back to continue the process. Even 2 hours only scratched the surface of the comparisons to be made.
My next step is to do an extended head to head between the CD5,FC2,112,150,Intros and a similarly priced Cyrus set up. Of course with my new found experience I expect things to go more smoothly this time!
And after that I have the equally difficult task of selecting suitable speakers
I think Intros might be just a 'full-on Naim' step too far, but again listening will be the key.
Thanks again for the advice everyone, I shall keep you posted.
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
Well I've broken my auditioning cherry! Thank you to the forum for making it somewhat less daunting
I went to Hi-Fi Experience on Tottenham Court Road and listened up through the 5 series range with Intros and then had a quick listen to a Cyrus set up at the end. I definitely got a feel for what I enjoyed and will be going back to continue the process. Even 2 hours only scratched the surface of the comparisons to be made.
My next step is to do an extended head to head between the CD5,FC2,112,150,Intros and a similarly priced Cyrus set up. Of course with my new found experience I expect things to go more smoothly this time!
And after that I have the equally difficult task of selecting suitable speakers
I think Intros might be just a 'full-on Naim' step too far, but again listening will be the key.Thanks again for the advice everyone, I shall keep you posted.
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
The second demo
Been back again, was hoping to listen to some Cyrus gear. Unfortunately the dealer has sold all his CD7's but doesn't yet have the new CD8 in stock.
Did a speaker comparison instead. Started with Intro 2's which were OK, my girlfriend agreed that the Naim was better than my current system (I would hope so at about 5 times the cost!) but that the bass was over-emphasised. Next up were Ruark Prelude 2's which we both really enjoyed, better controlled bass, more refined treble and definitely preferable [to our ears etc etc]. The last speakers were Quad 22L's which again were better than the Intros but harder and more clinical than the Ruarks.
Waiting now for the Cyrus gear to get into stock to do the electronics comparison.
However I'm still not convinced the sound quality is enough of a step up to justify the expense, but once I've settled on the package I'm interested in the dealer will let me have a home demo for a few days. Hopefully then I'll be able to put my (very understanding) girlfriend out of her misery and make a decision, either to have the brand new hi-fi that I have been lusting after for many years or be happy with what I've got. Whichever way I will have to shut up, never buy another magazine on the subject and kick back and enjoy the music
Thanks to members for the encouragement in other threads to keep posting my experiences.
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
Been back again, was hoping to listen to some Cyrus gear. Unfortunately the dealer has sold all his CD7's but doesn't yet have the new CD8 in stock.
Did a speaker comparison instead. Started with Intro 2's which were OK, my girlfriend agreed that the Naim was better than my current system (I would hope so at about 5 times the cost!) but that the bass was over-emphasised. Next up were Ruark Prelude 2's which we both really enjoyed, better controlled bass, more refined treble and definitely preferable [to our ears etc etc]. The last speakers were Quad 22L's which again were better than the Intros but harder and more clinical than the Ruarks.
Waiting now for the Cyrus gear to get into stock to do the electronics comparison.
However I'm still not convinced the sound quality is enough of a step up to justify the expense, but once I've settled on the package I'm interested in the dealer will let me have a home demo for a few days. Hopefully then I'll be able to put my (very understanding) girlfriend out of her misery and make a decision, either to have the brand new hi-fi that I have been lusting after for many years or be happy with what I've got. Whichever way I will have to shut up, never buy another magazine on the subject and kick back and enjoy the music
Thanks to members for the encouragement in other threads to keep posting my experiences.
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
The third demo (and purchase)
Went to a different dealers on Monday (Billy Vee in Lewisham), what a difference! Much better experience.
Anyway listened to CD5,112,150 versus a Linn system and the Sugden Bijou gear. The Sugden didn't get in the running, the bass seemed to be doing its own thing, plus the volume control was over sensitive. I wanted to listen somehere between 10 o' clock and 1/1000 of a degree further on!
The Linn was nice, very smooth and cultured, but ultimately lacking excitement.
Didn't decide to purchase anything then, I prefered the Prelude 2's to any of the speakers that we listened to.
However, managed to get an ex-dem pair yesterday from Audio-T in Swindon (bit of a hike from London along the M4 with the FA Cup supporters.) Re-read a hi-fi magazine and realised that Billy Vee were doing an offer I couldn't refuse: Buy a CD5 and Nait5 and the Flatcap2 is free! A bargain not to be missed I felt.
So picked up all the boxes and the extra cables to power the Nait5 (too impatient to wait for the next available install date, plus didn't want to take yet more time off work) and plugged it all in yesterday.
Life is fab, my sistem is brilliant, a couple of friends are around for the weekend and they are sitting enjoying it all at the moment My PC is upstairs so I'll be disappearing as soon as I've posted this 
My girlfriend is relieved that I've finally bought something and does like the look and sound of Naim so all is bliss! (Plus the speakers look really good in Oak to match the floor)
Thanks for the help in guiding my early footsteps and leading me to the glowing green path to audio nirvana. Its now time to kick back and enjoy the music
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!
Went to a different dealers on Monday (Billy Vee in Lewisham), what a difference! Much better experience.
Anyway listened to CD5,112,150 versus a Linn system and the Sugden Bijou gear. The Sugden didn't get in the running, the bass seemed to be doing its own thing, plus the volume control was over sensitive. I wanted to listen somehere between 10 o' clock and 1/1000 of a degree further on!
The Linn was nice, very smooth and cultured, but ultimately lacking excitement.
Didn't decide to purchase anything then, I prefered the Prelude 2's to any of the speakers that we listened to.
However, managed to get an ex-dem pair yesterday from Audio-T in Swindon (bit of a hike from London along the M4 with the FA Cup supporters.) Re-read a hi-fi magazine and realised that Billy Vee were doing an offer I couldn't refuse: Buy a CD5 and Nait5 and the Flatcap2 is free! A bargain not to be missed I felt.
So picked up all the boxes and the extra cables to power the Nait5 (too impatient to wait for the next available install date, plus didn't want to take yet more time off work) and plugged it all in yesterday.
Life is fab, my sistem is brilliant, a couple of friends are around for the weekend and they are sitting enjoying it all at the moment
My PC is upstairs so I'll be disappearing as soon as I've posted this My girlfriend is relieved that I've finally bought something and does like the look and sound of Naim so all is bliss! (Plus the speakers look really good in Oak to match the floor)
Thanks for the help in guiding my early footsteps and leading me to the glowing green path to audio nirvana. Its now time to kick back and enjoy the music
Seth
Is Naim the only way forward?
Ahh, Ahh! I'm burning!!