Audio Nirvana
Posted by: Nic Peeling on 26 September 2002
Since I obtained some great small loudspeakers for my kitchen system (Dali Royal Meneut) I have been totally happy with it. It is ridiculously overspecified (CDS1 and 72/140), but I got the kit at great second hand prices. I am totally happy with it - audio nirvana. I never think about the system I just listen to the music and am constantly thinking "this is great".
The main lounge system is what used (pre the arrival of the 552 and NAP 500 era) to be considered high-end. A good US CD transport and DAC, 52 and 250 playing into a whole sequence of speakers. I have been permanently irritated with the system - I kept listening to it as Hi-Fi instead of enjoying the music. I felt that there were a number of reasons for this. Firstly, that I listen in a more concentrated way in the lounge than in the kitchen. Secondly, that expensive systems tend to have very good speakers that reveal flaws ruthlessly. Lastly, that having spent serious money on the system I had very high expectations.
I embarked on another attempt to find audio nirvana by trying to find some loudspeakers Sue and I really liked. We heard the Wilson Benesch Arcs at the Bristol Hi-Fi show and really liked them. Maurice and Norman at Audio Excellence in Worcester offered us a weeks loan of a fully run in pair, which we gratefully accepted (great service in my opinion). We were very pleased and exchanged our speakers for the Arcs. 100 hours of running in later we were happy bunnies. It was not audio nirvana - there were too many obvious faults (such as ploddy bass) - but we found the Arcs very enjoyable. Then Norman suggested we try bi-amping the Arcs with another 250. I knew Naim did not really recommend bi-amping, and a colleague at work who used to design amps explained how bi-amping bought you very little compared to a proper active system (mainly a reduction in current intermodulation between bass and tweeter). The result though was audio nirvana. I cannot really describe the improvements because I now listen to the music not the system, but for me this was the upgrade that finished the upgrade cycle. Maybe its time think about an AV system.
Nic P
The main lounge system is what used (pre the arrival of the 552 and NAP 500 era) to be considered high-end. A good US CD transport and DAC, 52 and 250 playing into a whole sequence of speakers. I have been permanently irritated with the system - I kept listening to it as Hi-Fi instead of enjoying the music. I felt that there were a number of reasons for this. Firstly, that I listen in a more concentrated way in the lounge than in the kitchen. Secondly, that expensive systems tend to have very good speakers that reveal flaws ruthlessly. Lastly, that having spent serious money on the system I had very high expectations.
I embarked on another attempt to find audio nirvana by trying to find some loudspeakers Sue and I really liked. We heard the Wilson Benesch Arcs at the Bristol Hi-Fi show and really liked them. Maurice and Norman at Audio Excellence in Worcester offered us a weeks loan of a fully run in pair, which we gratefully accepted (great service in my opinion). We were very pleased and exchanged our speakers for the Arcs. 100 hours of running in later we were happy bunnies. It was not audio nirvana - there were too many obvious faults (such as ploddy bass) - but we found the Arcs very enjoyable. Then Norman suggested we try bi-amping the Arcs with another 250. I knew Naim did not really recommend bi-amping, and a colleague at work who used to design amps explained how bi-amping bought you very little compared to a proper active system (mainly a reduction in current intermodulation between bass and tweeter). The result though was audio nirvana. I cannot really describe the improvements because I now listen to the music not the system, but for me this was the upgrade that finished the upgrade cycle. Maybe its time think about an AV system.
Nic P
David,
I know what you are talking about
... but it may well not happen. A while ago a contributor (who regrettably was banned by Paul S) who wrote under the name of Tanais Fox actually downgraded from top end (mainly Naim) equipment. As an aside, it was linked to his delight in the improvement that extra Mana stands gave him - but the threads that followed had a very interesting discussion on whether very expensive Hi-Fi gear is really worth it. This struck a chord with me because I kept being so unsatisfied with my lounge system. Given I had bought a lot of it new I could not bear to lose so much money selling it and then buying a cheaper system, so I struggled on putting good money after bad. I had virtually given up hope of being happy and was genuinely surprised to end up happy. I have spent way over 10K GBP getting there. Was it worth it? All I can say is that with the benefit of hindsight I think I would not go anywhere near so far up the upgrade path again, and I would buy more kit second hand. I am shocked at what I have spent ... and I now see a pre-amp (the 552) that costs about the same as my entire system!!
Nic P
I know what you are talking about
... but it may well not happen. A while ago a contributor (who regrettably was banned by Paul S) who wrote under the name of Tanais Fox actually downgraded from top end (mainly Naim) equipment. As an aside, it was linked to his delight in the improvement that extra Mana stands gave him - but the threads that followed had a very interesting discussion on whether very expensive Hi-Fi gear is really worth it. This struck a chord with me because I kept being so unsatisfied with my lounge system. Given I had bought a lot of it new I could not bear to lose so much money selling it and then buying a cheaper system, so I struggled on putting good money after bad. I had virtually given up hope of being happy and was genuinely surprised to end up happy. I have spent way over 10K GBP getting there. Was it worth it? All I can say is that with the benefit of hindsight I think I would not go anywhere near so far up the upgrade path again, and I would buy more kit second hand. I am shocked at what I have spent ... and I now see a pre-amp (the 552) that costs about the same as my entire system!! Nic P
Rockingdoc,
I use brillo pads . As you probably suspected only the speakers are in the kitchen and the rest of the kit is in the next door room. Unfortunately the speakers do get greasy which I suspect will not do them a lot of good over the years - I leave the grills on to try and protect the drive units.
Yes, I know the CDS is over the top, but I will not tell you how little I paid for it ... I hate to see a grown man cry!
Nic P
I use brillo pads
. As you probably suspected only the speakers are in the kitchen and the rest of the kit is in the next door room. Unfortunately the speakers do get greasy which I suspect will not do them a lot of good over the years - I leave the grills on to try and protect the drive units.Yes, I know the CDS is over the top, but I will not tell you how little I paid for it ... I hate to see a grown man cry!
Nic P