The U word advice

Posted by: rowett on 31 August 2003

U is for Upgrade

I've currently got a CD5, Nait 5, FC2 (connected to both - sounded best that way to me), NACA5 and Arcaydis concept 2 floorstanders.

Seen some fairly good deals on second hand stuff recently that has given me another bout of the dreaded Upgraditis (no known cure).

So before it overtakes me completely I was hoping for a little advice...

Constraints: Has to be new style boxes or won't get it past the style police.

Option 1) Replace the Nait 5 with a 112/150 combo - use the FC2 to power CD5/112

Option 2) Just add a 150 to the Nait 5.

Option 3) Get a Hicap2 to power the CD5, dedicate the FC2 to the Nait5 pre.

Option 4) Get a Hicap2 to power the Nait 5 pre, dedicate the FC2 to the Nait 5 pre.

Anyone with experience in any of these paths?

Many thanks,
Chris

Posted on: 31 August 2003 by prowla

Haven't heard it, but my first thought would be a Hicap for the CD5.

Paul Rowlands

Posted on: 31 August 2003 by Steve Toy

I don't know how power-hungry your speakers are, but I'd go for the 112/150 option and then play around with suitable usages of the FC2.

In this setup I favoured the FC2 powering just the CD5 from output A and leaving the 112 to get its juice from the 150 - this is surely better than whacking a lovely Hi-cap 2 onto your CD5 only for its efforts to be strangled into the lowly Nait with only a FC2 for company.

Regards,

Steve.

Posted on: 31 August 2003 by Lightkeeper

rowett !

I was in similar situation. I own CD5, Nait 5 and Intro 2. I plan to get a new FC 2 until year 04. Then I will sell CD5 and buy CDX2, after that I plan to go for 202 and powered it from FC2 while Nait 5 will be used like a power amp until I get one, possibly 200.

On your place I will take a listen to Intro 2 first.

Ozren

Posted on: 31 August 2003 by dave brubeck

I was in a similar situation, with CD5, Nait 5, Flatcap.

I heard the 112/150 combo and in my opinion the additional outlay for the sound improvement offered is just not worth it over the Nait.

Then I saw a 72/180 second hand and took the plunge. Completely different sound, took me a while to get used to it but a significant upgrade. Regarding cosmetics, I much prefer the old stuff. Flatcap powers the 72 only.

I would either go second hand or save and go for a 202/200 if you dont want to upgrade the cd.

Posted on: 01 September 2003 by Frank Abela

having looked at the HiFi Choice review for efficiency numbers it seems this isn't that easy a speaker to drive. If you have no problems with drive (perhaps you haven't got a large room), then I would seriously consider a CDX2. If you anticipate moving into a larger room or you do, in fact, have problems driving them properly (giving either a bright or a boomy response), then I'd say you should consider buying a 200.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 01 September 2003 by Emil F

Chris

Option 1 will give you more of everything. This system is also very good balanced.

Emil