How good is going active!!!
Posted by: KenTo on 16 February 2004
Hi all,
Sys: CDX2/282/200/Allae
Just got my CDX2 for over 1 week, it starts to shine; needless to say how good is it and the difference from CD5. It balanced the whole system (especially Allae) and now music seems more full body and enjoyable!!
will add a Hicap to 282 soon, and after that I am considering
(1) going active with 200 wiht additional 250
(2) stay passive, sell the 200 and get a NAP300
the cost of going active (Hicap+SNAXO+250) is pretty close to get a NAP300(300 - selling 200), and a 300 will be good once change speaker which cannot be active.
haven't had a chance to hear how good is a NAP 300 on Allae, but was astonished by the dynamic range of active Allae by 2 x 250.
what would u do in this regard and need you guys' experience.
Many Thx!!
Ken To
Sys: CDX2/282/200/Allae
Just got my CDX2 for over 1 week, it starts to shine; needless to say how good is it and the difference from CD5. It balanced the whole system (especially Allae) and now music seems more full body and enjoyable!!
will add a Hicap to 282 soon, and after that I am considering
(1) going active with 200 wiht additional 250
(2) stay passive, sell the 200 and get a NAP300
the cost of going active (Hicap+SNAXO+250) is pretty close to get a NAP300(300 - selling 200), and a 300 will be good once change speaker which cannot be active.
haven't had a chance to hear how good is a NAP 300 on Allae, but was astonished by the dynamic range of active Allae by 2 x 250.
what would u do in this regard and need you guys' experience.
Many Thx!!
Ken To
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by KenTo
quote:
if it sounds better, then it is better!
That's true, I would definitely to demo the NAP300 with Allae and compare it with Active 200+250.
Thx erikj
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
I have had active systems at various 'levels' with Credo and latterly SBL. Never heard active Allaes. I did back to back tests of 250 passive vs 2 x140 active on SBLs and decided that the absolute margin was small but the nature of each system was quite different. Active set up seemed to have a little more precision and delicacy, passive perhaps a bit more weight. I preferred the active sound.
One snag of going active is that future upgrades of power amps means twice the oulay!
I know it is boring to suggest this when you have asked about the amps but if I was spending money on your system it would be on an XPS before anything else, without question one of the most all round worthwhile upgrades to my system. Be aware they take ages to run-in and also to warm up if you get a dem.
Bruce
One snag of going active is that future upgrades of power amps means twice the oulay!
I know it is boring to suggest this when you have asked about the amps but if I was spending money on your system it would be on an XPS before anything else, without question one of the most all round worthwhile upgrades to my system. Be aware they take ages to run-in and also to warm up if you get a dem.
Bruce
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by blythe
I recently compared a passive 300 Vs active 250's albeit into NBL's.
I went the active route.
The 300 Vs a 250 passively is a no brainer - the 300 is better.
However, the active system to my ears was a "bigger" or "wider" sound but what really hit me was the passion in female vocals.
The passive 300 was great but the active 250's really sent the shivers down my spine - Oleta Adams singing on the active system is awesome!
She somehow seems stronger, more controlled, deeper and more enjoyable on the active system.
If possible, do the demo yourself, preferably whilst you don't know which amp configuration is hooked up.
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
I went the active route.
The 300 Vs a 250 passively is a no brainer - the 300 is better.
However, the active system to my ears was a "bigger" or "wider" sound but what really hit me was the passion in female vocals.
The passive 300 was great but the active 250's really sent the shivers down my spine - Oleta Adams singing on the active system is awesome!
She somehow seems stronger, more controlled, deeper and more enjoyable on the active system.
If possible, do the demo yourself, preferably whilst you don't know which amp configuration is hooked up.
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by Paul Davies
Any reason why you haven't considered adding an XPS2 to your CDX2? That might give you an even bigger bang for the buck than going active.
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by ken c
blyth:
However, the active system to my ears was a "bigger" or "wider" sound but what really hit me was the passion in female vocals.
The passive 300 was great but the active 250's really sent the shivers down my spine - Oleta Adams singing on the active system is awesome!
She somehow seems stronger, more controlled, deeper and more enjoyable on the active system.
my experience exactly. well put.
so you found active 250's better than 300 into nbl's? interesting as my system is going through a total overhaul right now -- and power amps will be on the agenda sooner or later. in fact, this latest upgrade frenzy started when i listened to a pair of my nephews 135's -- its been "downhill" from then...
enjoy
ken
enjoy
ken
However, the active system to my ears was a "bigger" or "wider" sound but what really hit me was the passion in female vocals.
The passive 300 was great but the active 250's really sent the shivers down my spine - Oleta Adams singing on the active system is awesome!
She somehow seems stronger, more controlled, deeper and more enjoyable on the active system.
my experience exactly. well put.
so you found active 250's better than 300 into nbl's? interesting as my system is going through a total overhaul right now -- and power amps will be on the agenda sooner or later. in fact, this latest upgrade frenzy started when i listened to a pair of my nephews 135's -- its been "downhill" from then...
enjoy
ken
enjoy
ken
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by London Lad
KenTo
I used to run active 150s into Allae and now run active 250s. I think the Allae sound wonderfull active.
Despite what people here say I would not mix the amps though.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
I used to run active 150s into Allae and now run active 250s. I think the Allae sound wonderfull active.
Despite what people here say I would not mix the amps though.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Posted on: 17 February 2004 by blythe
quote:
Originally posted by ken c:
(edited)
so you found active 250's better than 300 into nbl's? interesting as my system is going through a total overhaul right now -- and power amps will be on the agenda sooner or later. in fact, this latest upgrade frenzy started when i listened to a pair of my nephews 135's -- its been "downhill" from then...
enjoy
ken
enjoy
ken
Take a look at my eaarlier post regarding NBL's active if it's of interest to you Ken.
Regards, Martin.
Subject: 3*Olive 250 Vs 300 on NBL's
Link: http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=5431984886&p=1
Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by graphoman
“Oh yes, I cheated on the power supply by using an extra feed off my Supercap”
Very interesting post indeed. Would you go into details, please? I allready got the Scap. The main cause going active keep frightening me is the need for a second PS —e.g. a Hi-Cap that then allways will cry for being upgraded to a second Scap...
Is it a route tried by others as well, I wonder.
graphoman
Very interesting post indeed. Would you go into details, please? I allready got the Scap. The main cause going active keep frightening me is the need for a second PS —e.g. a Hi-Cap that then allways will cry for being upgraded to a second Scap...
Is it a route tried by others as well, I wonder.
graphoman
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by graphoman
I forgot to mention the Scap is powering a 72 but soon I’ll upgrade to a 52. For both case, I don’t want to have any other source just CD, no analogue (while I do admire it). Does it mean one of the Scap’s 6 output is free for our task?
graphoman
graphoman
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by London Lad
I used to run my snaxo from a hicap2 and now run it from its own SC2. The move made a not huge, but very noticeable improvement.
I have just tried running the snaxo from the preamp’s SC2, certainly not as good as the dedicated SC2 and from memory not as good as a dedicated hicap. I think there are also potential earthing problems with sharing a SC.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
I have just tried running the snaxo from the preamp’s SC2, certainly not as good as the dedicated SC2 and from memory not as good as a dedicated hicap. I think there are also potential earthing problems with sharing a SC.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by sonofcolin
Bruce,
You mentioned going active with Credo's and 140's. I have this option and just wondered how you did it. Did you use the IXO or SNAXO for the XO? What about PS for the XO?
I'm think that by the time I've got another 140, XO, PS and NAC5 it would be more expensive than going for a 250!
You mentioned going active with Credo's and 140's. I have this option and just wondered how you did it. Did you use the IXO or SNAXO for the XO? What about PS for the XO?
I'm think that by the time I've got another 140, XO, PS and NAC5 it would be more expensive than going for a 250!
Posted on: 18 February 2004 by London Lad
Andrew,
Thinking about it you are right, there is no earth loop.
I would not think that the degradation sharing a SC (slight or otherwise) would be due to excess current draw as there is not much in a snaxo to draw much current.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Thinking about it you are right, there is no earth loop.
I would not think that the degradation sharing a SC (slight or otherwise) would be due to excess current draw as there is not much in a snaxo to draw much current.
Graham.
Not a lad any longer and not from London!
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by J.N.
A spanner in the works
I used to have an active Naim system, and am now passive again.
A friend, with a good Naim system has done the same, and is much happier.
Another friend is currently experiencing dissatisfaction with a high-end active Naim system.
The point of telling you this, is that is my experience (personally and vicariously) is that active systems are more tweaky and susceptible to mains supply/set-up etc:
This is not a wholly negative comment - I just got pissed off with my system swinging from 'blinding' to 'crap' from one disc to another.
I've heard other active systems doing this - i.e. very variable in performance from disc to disc or day to day.
Personally; I'd go to the top with a passive system.
Food for thought.
I used to have an active Naim system, and am now passive again.
A friend, with a good Naim system has done the same, and is much happier.
Another friend is currently experiencing dissatisfaction with a high-end active Naim system.
The point of telling you this, is that is my experience (personally and vicariously) is that active systems are more tweaky and susceptible to mains supply/set-up etc:
This is not a wholly negative comment - I just got pissed off with my system swinging from 'blinding' to 'crap' from one disc to another.
I've heard other active systems doing this - i.e. very variable in performance from disc to disc or day to day.
Personally; I'd go to the top with a passive system.
Food for thought.
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by graphoman
thank you, I’ll think it over
graphoman
graphoman
Posted on: 19 February 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
Sonofcolin
My active system with Credos was something like 102/Hi/IXO/140x2. The IXO is self powered-and has no option for an additional power supply. I found that active made up for some of my reservations with Credos. The overall 'balance' of the system at this level was good and it gave me pleasure for a long time. I tried an IXO with SBL when I first bought them but it was immediately apparent that this was not a good idea. If you can find a second hand IXO it will be pretty cheap.
Going active at lower levels in the Naim foodchain is always a bit contentious and I would say the benefits were less obvious with Credo then SBL. It did remove some of the rather 'hollow' bass and make the whole system sound a bit faster though if I remember right. If I had the same situation again now I'd invest in a pair of secondhand SBLs at the earliest opportunity rather than going active with Credo. The SBLs can be at the heart of an excellent system through many upgrades in source/amplification, they just keeps revealing greater depths as you go.
Hope this helps.
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on FRIDAY 20 February 2004 at 07:48.]
My active system with Credos was something like 102/Hi/IXO/140x2. The IXO is self powered-and has no option for an additional power supply. I found that active made up for some of my reservations with Credos. The overall 'balance' of the system at this level was good and it gave me pleasure for a long time. I tried an IXO with SBL when I first bought them but it was immediately apparent that this was not a good idea. If you can find a second hand IXO it will be pretty cheap.
Going active at lower levels in the Naim foodchain is always a bit contentious and I would say the benefits were less obvious with Credo then SBL. It did remove some of the rather 'hollow' bass and make the whole system sound a bit faster though if I remember right. If I had the same situation again now I'd invest in a pair of secondhand SBLs at the earliest opportunity rather than going active with Credo. The SBLs can be at the heart of an excellent system through many upgrades in source/amplification, they just keeps revealing greater depths as you go.
Hope this helps.
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on FRIDAY 20 February 2004 at 07:48.]