CDX/Nait2/Kan-II's good match,but...
Posted by: Alco on 14 November 2001
As some of you might know I started my passion
for Naim audio with an old style Nait2,a Marantz CD63KI,some small Monitor Audio MA1's on Pro-ject stands (very similar to Kan-II stand) wired with
Transparent "Wave" ls-cable.
The last couple of days I'm surprised that I sometimes get the feeling of missing that first setup. I was sooo happy lately when my CDX arrived. I finally thought I had a very well balanced system. And actually I still think I have,but... what could be that thing I'm missing ?
I'm listening to music less then when I had that first simple Nait2/Marantz-63KI/MA system!
ps:also started fiddling with Van den Hul ls-cables. (Clearwater and CS122,but no succes)
Hell, even the thought of selling my whole setup,and start all over again with something like a Linn Classik and don't look back,crossed my mind for a moment) (pretty spooky,eh!?)
Am I going nuts ? 
Do I need a holiday 
I'm beginning to wonder if my system should perform better than it does. (for the money)
It could be my imagination,or my memory starting to get less reliable, but I still think that my first experience with Naim (Nait-2/Rega Planar3/Mission 760SE's/Kimber cable) sounded better then my current (way more expensive) system.
Have any of you folks had this feeling before,or am I ready for a nervous breakdown... 
?!
Greetings,
Alco
Hmm,I'm afraid borrowing some downgrade stuff isn't possible. (well,not in my area that is)
Maybe it's also the honest,unforgiveness of the Kan's every now and then.
A couple of months ago I heard some B&W Nautilus 805's at the end of a SONY ampfifier(!) at a friends house, connected with Van den Hul cables and it sounded so wonderfully sweet and easy on the air,while at the same time fast and dynamic when needed.
He demoed his stuff with some pretty regular (top40) CD's.
I also heard my own amp connected to a cheap Rotel RCD971 and some Xanadu (Dutch) AW11 speakers which sounded very nice,especially on low listening levels. (for which the speaker was designed,i found out later)
Then there was the Sonneteer "Alabaster" amplifier and "Byron" CD-player hooked up with some small ASR(?) monitor speakers. This system really sounded superb. Yup,even better than my own system,in all areas! I don't know what the speakers costs,but the Sonneteer amp & CD-player costed the same as 1 CDX.
Eeek, I'm praising another brand higher than Naim. Whoops, am I being banned now?
Anyone tried Sonneteer vs Naim ?
Greetings,
Alco
[This message was edited by Alco on THURSDAY 15 November 2001 at 22:12.]
[This message was edited by Alco on THURSDAY 15 November 2001 at 22:13.]