Upgrade
Posted by: mrm on 15 August 2002
I currently own A CDX and Credo's, however my amplification is Audiolab C&P. I am considerring an upgrade because I feel there is more to be had from the CDX. My question is this, do I change to Naim amps, Probably a 102\180 combination which will give me greater synergy or do I go for an XPS. I feel that the system could have a bit more control, particularly where the bass is concerned. My room acoustics are not great and bass boom has been a problem.
If anyone is interested the system is on a Henley Designs stand (MDF\Glass). The CDX stands on an old Cyrus isoplat (this helped). Speakers are spiked and placed on concrete slabs. Obviously if I could borrow the gear it would be great, but this is not likely. Any advice would be appreciated.
If anyone is interested the system is on a Henley Designs stand (MDF\Glass). The CDX stands on an old Cyrus isoplat (this helped). Speakers are spiked and placed on concrete slabs. Obviously if I could borrow the gear it would be great, but this is not likely. Any advice would be appreciated.
Posted on: 15 August 2002 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by mrm:
I currently own A CDX and Credo's, however my amplification is Audiolab C&P. I am considerring an upgrade because I feel there is more to be had from the CDX. My question is this, do I change to Naim amps, Probably a 102\180 combination which will give me greater synergy or do I go for an XPS. I feel that the system could have a bit more control, particularly where the bass is concerned. My room acoustics are not great and bass boom has been a problem.
I've heard Audiolab amps on a number of occasions although never into Credos. In your situation I'd certainly be inclined to try different amplification. 102/180 wouldn't be my choice however - I'd rather have 32.5/Hi/250 or perhaps 32.5/Hi/IXO/2x140 instead.
I have bass boom problems with my Credos in a small room and I found two things that really helped:
1) Go active. Changing from 140 to IXO/2x140 was a huge step forward.
2) Using Mana under the speakers. Not as big an improvement as above but still significant.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 15 August 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Credo have a rather boxy and occ boomy bass, positioning may help the problem a bit and also ensuring the spikes are well embedded in the floor. I ran Credos from a 102/140 combo and have to say this still had disappointing bass control. Hicapping the 102 helps but I suspect 180 will be better still. I also did the IXO and 2x140 and this is a way to really tap their potential.
Although CDX is improved by XPS hugely I am not certain this will solve your particular problem. My Audiolab 8000A (which runs my second sstem) hasd a rather juicy and 'fat' bass so this may be an Audiolab trait.
I would spend on the pre/power Naim set up first. probably 102 (or even 72) HiCap 180.
One other thought-just try taking the CDX off the isoplat. I had mine on squidgy sorbothane feet as an experiment and the bass went completely AWOL. Those hard shiny feet are better!
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 15 August 2002 at 10:38.]
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 15 August 2002 at 11:21.]
Although CDX is improved by XPS hugely I am not certain this will solve your particular problem. My Audiolab 8000A (which runs my second sstem) hasd a rather juicy and 'fat' bass so this may be an Audiolab trait.
I would spend on the pre/power Naim set up first. probably 102 (or even 72) HiCap 180.
One other thought-just try taking the CDX off the isoplat. I had mine on squidgy sorbothane feet as an experiment and the bass went completely AWOL. Those hard shiny feet are better!
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 15 August 2002 at 10:38.]
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on THURSDAY 15 August 2002 at 11:21.]
Posted on: 15 August 2002 by Jay
Hiya
I've had the CDX/102/180/Credo combination and thought is was fantastic. If you want to it's also a good place to build from, just adding the NAPSC or a flatcap/hi-cap to the 102 and an XPS to the CDX.
There's some great advice on this thread and I suppose it really comes down to whether you want to buy new or used. If I was in your situation and wanted to buy new I'd consider the 112/150 or 102/180 combination.
Used? Well it's really what's available isn't it? Personally I found my 72/180 combination quite inferior to the 102/180 that replaced it. That's definitely a step I would miss along the way, but you'll find others here with very strong testimonies and of course equally valid as mine.
Sounds like you've been round the traps with speaker set-up and Bruce has some great advice. Have you tried the Credos siting on philips head screws which are screwed into the floor. Can make a very very large improvements in bass control, to the benefit of everything else...
Oh and do get an XPS when you can - quite a massive difference.
Jay
I've had the CDX/102/180/Credo combination and thought is was fantastic. If you want to it's also a good place to build from, just adding the NAPSC or a flatcap/hi-cap to the 102 and an XPS to the CDX.
There's some great advice on this thread and I suppose it really comes down to whether you want to buy new or used. If I was in your situation and wanted to buy new I'd consider the 112/150 or 102/180 combination.
Used? Well it's really what's available isn't it? Personally I found my 72/180 combination quite inferior to the 102/180 that replaced it. That's definitely a step I would miss along the way, but you'll find others here with very strong testimonies and of course equally valid as mine.
Sounds like you've been round the traps with speaker set-up and Bruce has some great advice. Have you tried the Credos siting on philips head screws which are screwed into the floor. Can make a very very large improvements in bass control, to the benefit of everything else...
Oh and do get an XPS when you can - quite a massive difference.
Jay
Posted on: 15 August 2002 by Phil Barry
Not surprised that a 102/180 outperformed a 72/180. With a hicap in there, the margin would have been much smaller.
This is a tough choice. Try removing the Isoplat. Then see if you can get a dem on the XPS vs. a 102/180. Better still, find a dealer with an XPS and a 32.5 or 72 + hicap + 250 that's just been traded in.
Best of luck.
Phil
This is a tough choice. Try removing the Isoplat. Then see if you can get a dem on the XPS vs. a 102/180. Better still, find a dealer with an XPS and a 32.5 or 72 + hicap + 250 that's just been traded in.
Best of luck.
Phil
Posted on: 16 August 2002 by Jay
quote:
With a hicap in there, the margin would have been much smaller.
Really? I didn't think so. The combinations presented very differently to my ears. A real matter of personal preference IMHO.
Jay
Posted on: 19 August 2002 by Laurie Saunders
Optimise your mains if you havnt already done so.
See my other postings (and others postings) on this topic for more details
Regards
Laurie S
See my other postings (and others postings) on this topic for more details
Regards
Laurie S
Posted on: 19 August 2002 by mrm
Thanks for the advice guy's. I really appreciate it. Just to be awkward, and by sheer coincidence, I have been offered a NAC 82, 3 months old, and a NAP140, 2 years old, providing I trade in the Audiolab gear for the same cost as a 102/180.
Question is, should I buy this now and upgrade the power amp later, or go for greater balance in the first place?
I will get to hear this next week anyway, which will of course be a major factorin making a decision, but I dont know if I can dem the stuff at home, so opinions would be helpful, bearing in mind my origional post.
Question is, should I buy this now and upgrade the power amp later, or go for greater balance in the first place?
I will get to hear this next week anyway, which will of course be a major factorin making a decision, but I dont know if I can dem the stuff at home, so opinions would be helpful, bearing in mind my origional post.
Posted on: 19 August 2002 by Phil Barry
I think an 82/140 is unbalanced and under normal circumstances not a great choice.
But once finances enter the equation, an 82/140 can make a lot of sense. If you buy them, your next hifi purchase should be a hicap, then a 250 or second hicap.
But if the '282' is coming out soon, 82 prices should come down, so maybe the price isn't that good.
Regards.
Phil
But once finances enter the equation, an 82/140 can make a lot of sense. If you buy them, your next hifi purchase should be a hicap, then a 250 or second hicap.
But if the '282' is coming out soon, 82 prices should come down, so maybe the price isn't that good.
Regards.
Phil
Posted on: 19 August 2002 by Bob Shedlock
I scarfed one up a short while ago, eighteen months old, for under 2K U.S.. Love it, 'specialy at that price.
I'm not convinced yet that new clothes will put a lot of pressure on the downward side, as much as the influx of 52's will. The 82's I've seen going are all being moved to get the traded 52's.
Otoh, patience almost always rewards with a bargin.
I'm not convinced yet that new clothes will put a lot of pressure on the downward side, as much as the influx of 52's will. The 82's I've seen going are all being moved to get the traded 52's.
Otoh, patience almost always rewards with a bargin.