Upgrades '02

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ron Toolsie:
Yes, I remember the original findings that the 500 with 2x500PS was worse than only using a single 500PS- the reason provided was that doubling up on the 500OPS resulted in noise-producing regulators that were not actually being used. But no more so than using a Supercap to power a Prefix, using only 1/7 of its voltage rails. So I am not entirely sure if this is the only reason behind this counterintuitive finding.

I think it probably will only be a matter of time before Naim releases its flagship NAP 275 (or so), a true monoblock version of the NAP500 with the external power supply only having 1/2 of the voltage rails that the stereo 500PS has. That way active DBL users would be able to have the full monty 12-pack.

In my tinkering with car audio, I have found that to produce TRUE bass power and extension, there is absolutely no substitute for raw power. A 500w Rockford Fosgate amp destroyed a 200W amp, and a 1000W amp demolished the 500 watter. The NAP500 may be also underpowered when it comes to driving a 15 inch bass driver to the beat of techno, or even PJ Harvey.

As much as I would like to, I have not yet heard a 500 in my system. There is a certain je ne sais quoi life that only an active system can seem to do.... I have a gut feeling that 3x300 active would see off a single passive 500 pretty easily. Auditioning this comparison is hardly within the abilities of 99.99% of dealers.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

---

Ron,

Funny you should mention Car Audio (Tone Hails from that very Area) I think his 'Vice' Was Phoenix Gold's Zero Points (Heavily modded Too) hence the problem he has had with home amplifiers being not up to spec.
Ok, I never read the Reports on the Early 500 test's could some-one please give me a link?.
On his amplifier, has has completely de-coupled the mains supply (incoming) and had 'Specialy designed Transformers' produced (and a few other itmes I have know idea what they do/are for .
He is suggesting we completly ditch the O.E. PSU pack, and start from scratch, using the same casing, but with his internals? and special mains stuff???.
He has modded his 'Plaything' quite well, and in my system, takes apart the 2 Nap 500's like a walk in the park, not just in sheer power but dynamics/extension/detail and total overall musical presence (Barstard!) and with an image to die for (I know that is not a prime requesit, but it is impressive). but the most terminaly annoying factor is his amplifier including his mods was £3500, Humm can you see why it got me thinking seriously??.
Although his 'Plaything' is "alright" (tends to go to his head), it lacks the 'Sound' I like, hence the Mods possibility.So while I feel all the points on the 500's power suppilies are valid, I would like to read into this further.
Any more suggestions/idea's would be fully welcome.

Cheers David

Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul

2002 saw my first upgrade for 13 years!
Marantz CD94/CDA94 to CD5.
Wow! And after ten days burn in - BLOODY HELL!

I thought all modern CD players were crap - and they mostly are (in the £1000ish price range) with a few exceptions. The CD5 walked it.

Alas not for me, deep pockets or the time and resounces to get a killer S/H deal - but I'll be adding a HiCap in '03 and trying very hard not to get the bug again. You know the one...

Happy (nearly) New Year all.

Harry

In 2002, I started off with Marantz CD5000 / Sonic Frontier SFL2 / Audio Sterling / Cresta2

Then came, in order of sequence
CD5
Rega P25
92R/90
ES14
GSP ERA Gold phono
Particular Novus

Changing the amp was more a shift towards a type of sound that I like.

IMHO, the biggest improvement came about when I got the Particular Novus.

2002 saw my first upgrade for 13 years!
Marantz CD94/CDA94 to CD5.
Wow! And after ten days burn in - BLOODY HELL!

I thought all modern CD players were crap - and they mostly are (in the £1000ish price range) with a few exceptions. The CD5 walked it.

Alas not for me, deep pockets or the time and resounces to get a killer S/H deal - but I'll be adding a HiCap in '03 and trying very hard not to get the bug again. You know the one...

Happy (nearly) New Year all.

Harry

quote:

---

I do not understand the principles of this so called flat/earth,round earth sentiment that is used, please could some one enlighten me, current equipment, Linn Kanns, Nait 2, arcam alpha 9 cd player, which I purchased from my brother before he emigrated to New Zeland, have had the system for 4 months now, and I am very happy with it

---

You seem to have missed this off your upgrade list. Quite a jump from what you had in early November to what you say you have now.

cheers

Nigel

Nigel, have you discovered a lotto winner

quote:

---

Originally posted by Erik:
I think Naim tried two PSs and found it worse.

---

Erik,

well, that's what I said.

I still think that just because this is true fronted by a 52, it won't necessarily be true fronted by a 552. It would also be a "relatively" cheap upgrade, compared to two mono-blocked 500's.

cheers, Martin

Upgrade? I addet a 20 years old lp12 to my system, after listening cd's for over a decade, and it was the best upgrade I did, for over a decade.

Ari

quote:

---

Originally posted by Nigel Cavendish:

quote:

---

I do not understand the principles of this so called flat/earth,round earth sentiment that is used, please could some one enlighten me, current equipment, Linn Kanns, Nait 2, arcam alpha 9 cd player, which I purchased from my brother before he emigrated to New Zeland, have had the system for 4 months now, and I am very happy with it

---

You seem to have missed this off your upgrade list. Quite a jump from what you had in early November to what you say you have now.

cheers

Nigel

---

Nigel,

Sorry for not replying to your post earlier sir, away on business, I do have the 'Kan Man set up' as the second sytem in the Garage, and it boogies top notch, for the time I spend working on the 'Bikes' it a great 'working to sound'.
Lottery Winner NO, would be nice though, just enjoying the fruits of my labour, but please note, all equipment bought used/Ex-demo, still a lot of capital I grant you, but a lot less than Genuine full retail price.

Cheers David

Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul

Dear Thunderbird 2,

I recently auditioned a 75,000£ system in a Montreal audio store which went like that:

Wadia 861/Nagra PL-P/Nagra VPA/Nagra MPA/Verity Audio Lohengrin (as you can see the Lohengrins were bi-amplified)

and it left me speechless. So I can understand a move from a CDS2 to the Wadia 861, even though it may be quite a shock to some members of this forum...

I bought a Hi-Cap and added it to my 62/160.

I have to say it made an incredible difference! (possibly a bigger improvement than upgrading a NAIT 2 to the 62/160).

Anyone out there considering an upgrade should definitely audition the Hi-Cap if they haven't already got one.

I bought mine ex-dem mint, boxed with a black SNAIC thrown in - at £580 it was a complete bargain!

What started as a pretty quiet year for me ended up with a few major upgrades.

1. New listening room. Moved back into our house, and set up the system. Thankfully SBL's work fairly well chez rico. First time I'd heard our CDX/XPS/82 with the 250.

2. CDSII replaced CDX. Ahhh - music. Fabulaous, no-brainer.

3. Turntable makeover - LP12 ittok replaced by Ekos. More hifi, more music, but certainly not an ARO.

oh, and less important was 21" Sony TV superseded by Loewe Xelos 32". Spent too much time watching movies last winter. Enter 'wide-body model' Rico - now disappearing in late summer. #; )

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kevin-W:
I bought a Hi-Cap and added it to my 62/160.

I have to say it made an incredible difference! (possibly a bigger improvement than upgrading a NAIT 2 to the 62/160).

---

I've done exactly that upgrade in the past -- it's a blaster.

For me, the most significant '02 improvment was finally adding a Linn Sondek (black). It replaced a (walnut) Heybrook TT2 which, when buying it new in 1985, I had compared with the Linn. My conclusion then was that the TT2 gave 75% of an LP12 at under half the price, and was therefore the obvious buy. My mistake was to underestimate the significance of that last 25%.

Or all that could be bollocks, and what I may have discovered is that a black TT is just much better...

Best;

Mark

Quote:-

My system is finished now and I'm very happy with.
_________________________________________________


Thats nice to hear! just sit back and enjoy the music before that up-graditis strikes again!

Regards

NB