Series 5 / Allae - audtion results
Posted by: long-time-dead on 30 August 2003
As promised in another posting, here's the results of today's dem.
Firstly, I would like to praise my local Naim dealer, Loud & Clear (Glasgow). John was the perfect host and I am sure that a great bond will be made for the future, and that's priceless !!
To begin with, I arrived to find everything set up in the dem room. My first track (Kenny Loggins "Angelique" from the Alive album) was played and I felt the sound was a little "metallic" in the midrange but otherwise very enjoyable.
John then explained to me that he decided to throw a spanner into the works for me to find. I am pleased my thoughts mirrored his !
He had used Chord Oddessey speaker cable and explained that the silver content of the cable was the "culprit" in this case but he wanted to see if I could find anything in the sound I didn't really like, especially as he previously knew my results of the Cyrus dem I had at another dealership.
He also explained that the Chord cable worked really well with some "mixed-brand" systems but his opinion was that the Naim cable is really well suited and I should keep it as a constant until I get much further into my upgrade path to ensure I don't stray down a different path. Things should get better, not different !
The fun thing was that he went to find the NACA5 only to discover that one of his colleagues had loaned out the dem room lengths !! "D'Oh"
Not being a major problem, I decided to live with the silver-plated sound and see how I got on with a view to another dem. After all, I am not going to install anything until mid-December when we move into our new home.
Once I had listened to another couple of tracks, I decided to play around with the speaker position and found (as expected) that the Allea's changed subtly with a move of a couple of inches. Looks like many a fun evening will be had in 2004 !
I found the system (CD5/112/150/Allae) was very "musical" and I really enjoyed every track I heard. I even actually thought I heard Michael Hedges' thumb slide down the neck of his guitar listening to "Aerial Boundaries" only to ge the same note from John and realise I was not going mad !!!
We also remarked on how the system revealed the amazing acoustics of the room they used to record the track in. The sound felt very "cathedral-like".
One of the most pleasing aspects of listening was how the system managed to create "darkness" and "moods" within the music. For a CD based system, there is a real emotive quality and I look forward to playing my vinyl collection with eagerness !!
I decided to end my dem with Nickleback and "Never Again" from the Silver Side Up album. I had had a truly terrible experiance of this track when auditioning Cyrus equipment (CD8/Cyrus 8) as the soundstage collapsed when the going got tough. To my pleasant surprise, it waltzed through things and every element of the music was clear and concise, if a little too metallic - thanks Chord !!
Leaving the shop with a grin on my face, I will return for a similar dem with the NACA5 to hear the differences. I also intend to listen to the Allae's on the end of a CDX2/282/250 combination to see just how future-proof SWMBO's lovely ash boxes will be !!
It was also extremely nice to chat with John about the future potentials of upgrades and their welcoming trade-in policy.
I am sure that my time was well spent and I am well on the way to becoming a very satisfied Naim owner.
Thanks must go to the entire Forum as it has been a great source of inspiration and opinion. I would also like to thank John again for his hospitality and enthusiasm.
Firstly, I would like to praise my local Naim dealer, Loud & Clear (Glasgow). John was the perfect host and I am sure that a great bond will be made for the future, and that's priceless !!
To begin with, I arrived to find everything set up in the dem room. My first track (Kenny Loggins "Angelique" from the Alive album) was played and I felt the sound was a little "metallic" in the midrange but otherwise very enjoyable.
John then explained to me that he decided to throw a spanner into the works for me to find. I am pleased my thoughts mirrored his !
He had used Chord Oddessey speaker cable and explained that the silver content of the cable was the "culprit" in this case but he wanted to see if I could find anything in the sound I didn't really like, especially as he previously knew my results of the Cyrus dem I had at another dealership.
He also explained that the Chord cable worked really well with some "mixed-brand" systems but his opinion was that the Naim cable is really well suited and I should keep it as a constant until I get much further into my upgrade path to ensure I don't stray down a different path. Things should get better, not different !
The fun thing was that he went to find the NACA5 only to discover that one of his colleagues had loaned out the dem room lengths !! "D'Oh"
Not being a major problem, I decided to live with the silver-plated sound and see how I got on with a view to another dem. After all, I am not going to install anything until mid-December when we move into our new home.
Once I had listened to another couple of tracks, I decided to play around with the speaker position and found (as expected) that the Allea's changed subtly with a move of a couple of inches. Looks like many a fun evening will be had in 2004 !
I found the system (CD5/112/150/Allae) was very "musical" and I really enjoyed every track I heard. I even actually thought I heard Michael Hedges' thumb slide down the neck of his guitar listening to "Aerial Boundaries" only to ge the same note from John and realise I was not going mad !!!
We also remarked on how the system revealed the amazing acoustics of the room they used to record the track in. The sound felt very "cathedral-like".
One of the most pleasing aspects of listening was how the system managed to create "darkness" and "moods" within the music. For a CD based system, there is a real emotive quality and I look forward to playing my vinyl collection with eagerness !!
I decided to end my dem with Nickleback and "Never Again" from the Silver Side Up album. I had had a truly terrible experiance of this track when auditioning Cyrus equipment (CD8/Cyrus 8) as the soundstage collapsed when the going got tough. To my pleasant surprise, it waltzed through things and every element of the music was clear and concise, if a little too metallic - thanks Chord !!
Leaving the shop with a grin on my face, I will return for a similar dem with the NACA5 to hear the differences. I also intend to listen to the Allae's on the end of a CDX2/282/250 combination to see just how future-proof SWMBO's lovely ash boxes will be !!
It was also extremely nice to chat with John about the future potentials of upgrades and their welcoming trade-in policy.
I am sure that my time was well spent and I am well on the way to becoming a very satisfied Naim owner.
Thanks must go to the entire Forum as it has been a great source of inspiration and opinion. I would also like to thank John again for his hospitality and enthusiasm.
quote:
I also intend to listen to the Allae's on the end of a CDX2/282/250 combination to see just how future-proof SWMBO's lovely ash boxes will be !!
Don't do it!!!!!!
"upgradeitus" makes smallpox look like a difficult to spread virus!
To err is human; to really foul it up requires a computer.
Who's John ?
The John in question is John Morrison, who is gainfully employed by Loud & Clear.
I've just looked at the price of the Townsend Isolda cabling - it should be amazing at the money ! Me, I'll probably stick with NACA5 initially to stay 'tuneful' and leave any speaker cable upgrades until I get the Power Suplies etc, in place.
As for listening to better kit - no problem. I have had the "little gold band to the left hand ring finger" treatment for years now so spending huge amounts of cash with no remorse never happens. That, and a new six figure mortgage will keep things in check
The John in question is John Morrison, who is gainfully employed by Loud & Clear.
I've just looked at the price of the Townsend Isolda cabling - it should be amazing at the money ! Me, I'll probably stick with NACA5 initially to stay 'tuneful' and leave any speaker cable upgrades until I get the Power Suplies etc, in place.
As for listening to better kit - no problem. I have had the "little gold band to the left hand ring finger" treatment for years now so spending huge amounts of cash with no remorse never happens. That, and a new six figure mortgage will keep things in check