The master of J*** requires advice...

Posted by: dave brubeck on 13 April 2003

I am rather confused, see below for details:

Current system = CD5, Nait5, FlatcapII, Stand Design rack and Dali Evidence loudspeakers.

I have had this for about a year now, and finances allow a 'modest' upgrade. I am unwilling to change the CD5 as (A) it cost me a fortune in the first place (B) I am unsure of how long CDs in their standard format will be around for - I can see myself linking the whole thing up to a PC in a few years, and (C) to be frank i actually really quite like it. I tend to listen to my music pretty loud, for what it's worth.

112/150 you say?.. I have tried this and to be honest I could not distinguish an improvement in sound that would justify the outlay.

202/200? now that is a possibility, but my dealer has advised me that I would be just as well getting the Nait converted to a preamp rather than buying the 202. Is he correct?

Add a Hicap to the CD5 & put the Flatcap only on the Nait 5 with a new 200? or 250?

There is another possibility - going back to the 'loud music' point: would changing my speakers to a pair with high sensitivity (eg, Living Voice) give the same effect as adding a seperate power amp?

Any assistance/ alternative ideas from the members of this fine forum would be greatly appreciated.
Posted on: 13 April 2003 by dave brubeck
Please?
Posted on: 13 April 2003 by Tim Jones
Dave -

Can I suggest two slightly different alternatives:

1. Look at second hand Naim kit. With the introduction of the new style components, there should be quite a lot about, at very reasonable prices. Many Naim dealers will have a second hand stock list. If you were (slightly) lucky you could pick up a 72/HiCap/250 or something in that neightbourhood, which would be rather nice.

2. Buy a turntable and a Stageline. You'd be surprised what even a humble Planar 3 can do compared to a CD player. Second hand record shops abound - and there is a lot of good jazz to be had. This is one format that isn't going to be phased out.

You might want to think about what's wrong with your system. What is it in particular that you'd like to improve?

Living Voice Auditoriums (Auditoria?) are superb, but I've only heard them with a big valve amp. Not sure how they'd match a Nait, but they might be a bit shouty and uncontrolled.

Tim
Posted on: 15 April 2003 by Nigel Cavendish
Don't go for modest upgrades. If you are happy with what you have now, enjoy it and save until you can afford a really big f*ck off upgrade.

Or spend the money on music or whatever else you enjoy.

cheers

Nigel