Upgrade - Where do I start?

Posted by: MontyW on 12 April 2003

Present system is all slimline 3 series; CD3.5 + Flatcap, 92 + Flatcap, 90, Epos M12's with Naim interconnects/cables.

I would like to go 'big box' Naim - so what can you guys recommend for approx £4.5k?

Cheers,

Dave

PS: I intend to keep the M12's

Posted on: 12 April 2003 by NB

Dave,

You must start with a CDX/xps if you are going to spend that amount of money. With everyone upgrading to the new gear you should be able to get a second hand one for about £2500 to £3000 depending on the age.

With the remaining £2000 I would look for a good second hand 82. This is going to cost somewhere around £1500. This would leave approximately £500 for the power amp and if you can manage to get a good quality 180 then you will have a fine amplifier.

Dont forget to puchase good quality cable and interconects as well.

Regards

NB

Posted on: 12 April 2003 by Geoff P

quote:
If you want to buy brand new equipment, I would recommend you use most of your budget to replace your CD3.5/Flatcap with a CDX2/XPS2. It should be noted that the CDX2 really is a far superior unit to the CDX1.

I agree but it depends on how many "steps"you want in your upgrade. The CDX2 WITHOUT the XPS is very good. The XPS makes it significantly better of course I am sure, but you could spend the "XPS"money on a pre-amp if you are prepared to wait until later to add the XPS.

I am perhaps a little biased in this direction myself since I am running in a "bare" CDX2 and am very happy with the sound except for one small thing.

The 112/150 combo now sounds a wee bit under pressure from the detail and image gain in the signal coming from the CDX2 so I reckon improvements in pre-power amp are needed as soon as possible in my system.
Hence my opinion.

regards

GEOFFP