Should I go for SBL???
Posted by: Charlezz on 06 March 2002
I have a CDX/Nac102/Supercap/Nap180 and old,bad Siare speakers.I found yesterday a 1994's pair of SBL in perfect condition at 990 euros (about 595£).
Do you think I should go for them??
Or should I save money for something else?
Thanks
Charles
[This message was edited by Charlezz on WEDNESDAY 06 March 2002 at 10:42.]
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by garyi
Why are you even asking, I have never seen SBLs at that price. They are excellent speakers as well you know.
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Rico
SOunds the right price for the year. Will certainly help your system, and will still be playing you good music in future upgrades too.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Charlezz
Tha same guy that is selling these SBL , sold me last a year a Supercap in perfect condition for 1100£ with box, manuals and in perfect condition (no scratches...)
He is also selling an active Naxo 2-4 for 195£
But, my question concerns only SBL, and i am waiting for your advices.
Charles
[This message was edited by Charlezz on WEDNESDAY 06 March 2002 at 10:48.]
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Bosh
If he's selling a SNAXO, ensure the SBLs have got the external PAXO crossovers, if not factor in an additional £200 (330 euros) if you want to run them passive.
Also consider whether they have the latest driver which were introduced in 1995 and require a return to Naim to have fitted (cost me £400/660 euros in 1996)
Otherwise go for it and enjoy them
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Snap them up. They need careful dismantling and re-assembling but can be quite magical. They will support upgrades in the rest of your system for years. Room postioning is also quite easy and forgiving which was a bonus for me.
What power amp are you using? If the SNAXO is cheap then really think about acquiring that too. An active system with 2x140 is not expensive for instance and 140's come up s/h fairly often. This really unleashes more of the SBL potential.
Bruce
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Charlezz
The SBL come with passive crossover (the active Xover was bought later).
The serial number is 86 242.
Do you know if they come with new drivers and/or new cabinets?
Thanks
ps: if not is it possible to upgrade driver and/or cabinets ? How much does ot cost?
Charles
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by billyj
Why dont you add a napsc to your 102 and you will be amazed, by the difference it makes for £190, it adds clarity and musicality to your whole system, it worked for me.
good luck
Billy j
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by count.d
I wouldn't buy something just because they represent good value.
Listen to Shahinian range, they may change your mind.
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Thomas K
Charles,
Check this thread for an excellent technical description by El Rico.
Thomas
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Charlezz
My english is too bad to understand this techical language......
Thank you
CHarles
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by J.N.
I have SBL's and love 'em.
You; may not.
They are very distinctive sounding loudspeakers and don't appeal to everyone.
A bargain isn't a bargain if you don't like them.
Furthermore; unless you are naturally gifted in this dept; you WILL need an experienced dealer (or owner of them) to build and re-seal them in situ to get the very best from them.
The new SL2 has a much simpler 'vacuum-seal' arrangement as dealers complained that the SBL's were too time-consuming to install and set up.
Naim's own later drivers are a great improvement, and I would recommend replacing the tweeters as well. They won't be knackered I'm sure; but new ones will sound better. The degradation in performance is more to do with attracting household detritus rather than being 'worn-out'.
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Rico
Perhaps Mr Toy can assist with a translation of
this?
Thomas, you'll make me blush. 
Charles, At £600 you should not be concerned about old drivers or new - as has been demonstrated, to install the new drivers would start to "overcapitalise" on them. The original SBL as they are is a great speaker. Yes, they were demonstrably improved by the "new" Naim driver.
My opinion is that they represent a fine upgrade to your system, at the price - without diverting too much cash that could perhaps be better served later on at the front end. I suspect this might also answer your question about SBL vs Allae - If you were to spend Allae money on your system, you should be buying used intros and a new source! At this point the £600 original SBL's sound like great value, providing you like the music they make.
HTH.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 06 March 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.:
A bargain isn't a bargain if you don't like them.
Whilst this is obviously true in one way, there is another point of view which I find more compelling.
At that price you can buy them, try them in your system (for a week, a month, a year...) and sell them again if you don't like them. Shouldn't lose much/any money on the deal.
cheers, Martin
P.S. you certainly should make sure the three boxes are separated to transport them, and get help from someone who knows what they're doing to re-assemble them at home.
