Sound (!!) Advice

Posted by: Leigh on 24 August 2003

Currently I have the following system which sounds very good and balanced, thanks to a very good dealer in Stafford, but the 'itchy ear syndrome' has flared up again and I would like your thoughts on moving up.

CDX / 102+Napsc+HiCap / 140 with Ruark Templar speakers.

I do enjoy listening to each upgrade and appreciating the musical improvements, but I also realise that this approach can sometimes leave a long term plan lacking somewhat. The 140 is the oldest item in the setup. I suppose this longer term plan is what may be needed, but I do know the ears must ultimately decide.

Posted on: 24 August 2003 by joe90

Lots of things you could do:

If you want a serious upgrade, a 282 pre or a 250 power.
If you like what you have and don't really find anything that makes it better with regards to electronics, buy a Naim Fraim!! That one's a no-brainer.

Joe90

Posted on: 24 August 2003 by Markus

your system looks extremely well balanced. If it were up to me I'd either leave it alone, or, knowing how much more I liked my 250 over my 140, I'd probably go there.

Markus
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Posted on: 27 August 2003 by Sean Woods

Hello Leigh

Since you have the Hi-Cap I would upgrade to an Olive 250, I did.

My kit was CDX / NAPSC / Hi-CAP / 102 / 180

The 250 is so much more than the 180 in all sound directions.

Sean

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by JeremyD

Since I have never heard a CDX, I don't feel qualified to make specific recommendations
about a source or pre-amp upgrade - especially as you want a long term plan.

However, since I have a 102/140 and am familiar with the Ruark Templar (albeit the old model) I'd have thought that replacing the power amp was not a high priority...

--J

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by Phil Barry

It's time for a 250.

Phil
Usually source first

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by NB

or how about an XPS?

Regards

NB
who is source first!

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by sandy russell

Definitely maybe a XPS, possibly.

CDX/72/Hi/180/Arcs

Mostly source first!!

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by Frank Abela

If the room's not huge, I'd seriously consider a late 2nd hand pair of SBLs. The difference will astound you. If the 140 is 10 years old and hasn't been serviced, then it's due a recap which you should factor into the cost.

The Ruarks are OK, but they're no great shakes and they are holding back the rest of the system. With a pair of SBLs you'd then be in a very good position to make changes. The next move would be an olive 250.

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: 27 August 2003 by Leigh

Good Evening,

Thank you all for your recommendations and suggestions. Since my Ruarks are extremely well suited to the listening room, I'm getting the impression that a mid to long-term plan will involve replacing the 140 with a 250 (btw what is an Olive 250?, adding an XPS and changing the pre-amp.

Once again many thanks.

Regards

Leigh

Posted on: 27 August 2003 by prowla

I got to where I am a little bit backwards...
1) lp12/62/140/kans
2) cd3.5/62/140/kans (lp12 to storage due to kids)
3) cd3.5+hi/62+hi/140/kans
4) cd3.5+hi/82+hi/140/kans
5) cd3.5+hi/82+hi/250/kans
6) cdx/82+2xhi/250/kans

Of the steps, I think the 82 was significant, but the 250 didn't shine till I got the CDX (and put the redundant Hi-Cap on the 82), at which point my Kans suddenly doubled in size.
I'm not sure how the 112 relates to the 82, but it is definitely worth a listen to a 250.

I've also toyed with mains cables and distribution boards (not spurs though) and found they can have a marked effect (my Kans got bigger again), and also racking and isolation.

My next step is an XPS (maybe next year...).

Paul Rowlands