Joined the Club
Posted by: krak on 23 October 2003
Greetings all,
Last week I purchased my first Naim equipment, 112 and 150 pre & power amps. I’m currently using Mirage speakers and a Micromega CD player.
After lengthy in-home audition sessions with the likes of Musical Fidelity, Bryston etc. it became clear that Naim was the equipment for me. I’m thrilled with the equipment, with even my wife being impressed with the sound.
Due to some annoying pops from the mains circuit, which is shared by other items in the house, I have an electrician coming by to install a separate industrial- grade circuit for the system.
With that said, should I expect an increase in sound quality or just an end to the electrical pops that I currently here every once in awhile?
I plan to purchase a Flatcap in the next 12 months. Has anyone upgraded a 112/150 to include a Flatcap? If so what kind of sonic advantages does it offer?
I’m happy to be a part of the "Naim family and look forward to many pleasurable hours of music as well as any responses from this great forum.
Thanks in advance!
kwr
Posted on: 23 October 2003 by Frank Abela
Welcome to the forum krak,
You should hear an improvement in the sound overall as well as a reduction in the number of pops. That said, the kit is still running in, so you may not realize the full benefit of a separate circuit for a while yet!
The flatcap improves every measure of the music that you can think of, with no disadvantages. It's usually quite a surprise for most people! A power supply even makes you think that the amp has more power or is louder when in fact it's not the case - it just seems that way.
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: 23 October 2003 by kuma
quote:
I’m thrilled with the equipment, with even my wife being impressed with the sound.
'Even' your wife?
She can probably hear better than any of us.
Posted on: 25 October 2003 by CK
Dear Krak,
I am also using Naim gear with Mirage speakers, the 895i's. Which model are you using.
Posted on: 25 October 2003 by krak
Hey CK,
I'm using a pair of M760s. They are quite old,(13 yrs) but still sound remarkably good. However my next upgrade after the Flatcap will be new speakers.
Are you using a 112/150 set up as well?
krak
Posted on: 26 October 2003 by joe90
If I may interject in a kindly way...
You should strongly look at replacing the Micromega with a Naim CD5 (eventually)
If you haven't thought of that already...
Joe90
Posted on: 26 October 2003 by CK
Dear Krak,
Initially I was using a flatcap with 602 and 90/3 but twelve months ago I upgarded to a 102/180. I kept the flatcap. My sources are Marantz CD 63KI and LP12 Ittok.
CK
Posted on: 28 October 2003 by krak
Hi Joe90
Interesting comment re. the CD5 upgrade. I plan to borrow a CD5 once I get used to the new amps. However I do have a concern re. SACD and/or DVDA formats. Can the CD5 or any other Naim player play the aforementioned formats and exemplify the new formats advantages?
What’s the general consensus re. the new formats? Is it a wise time to invest in a new CD player when all I read about is these new emerging formats?
Does anyone own one of the new format machines?
krak
Posted on: 29 October 2003 by Wolf
Well, if you want the latest in technology and not a long term investor I'd look around at some that can play different formats (not knowing what will hold and what is a pass in the night). Naim is coming out with a DVD player but don't believe it has SACD capability, I'm not worried and will stick with str8 CD.
Life is analogue
Posted on: 29 October 2003 by Geoff P
quote:
Does anyone own one of the new format machines?
krak
Err...Actually one of each.
SACD & DVD-A are really offered as multichannel surround sound formats with optional stereo tracks recorded in theoretically higher reolution than standard stereo CD's. I say theoretically because this does not mean they are necessarily superior to CD.
Note that certain suitably identified SACD's with a stereo track can officially be played on a normal CD player but this is of doubtfull worth. DVD-A cannot be played at all in a normal CD player. For safety just assume you need an SACD/DVD-A player (such as the Denon 2900 or Pioneer 747A) to sample these formats
SACD & DVD-A is an emotional subject. The results can be very good adding a sense of depth and space. The results can be less attractive to down right annoying when used to play music tricks with surround sound. With the approriate player you can listen in stereo and will hear excellemnt sounds but to fully use the formats you need a 5.1 surround sound setup.
There is a severe lack of discs to choose amongst. More are being released all the time in both fromats and they be more readily available where you are, but in europe it's hard to find music shops that even stock any. There is doubt about which will become the wiinner SACD or DVD-A, or maybe neither and they will loose momentum and disappear.
Conclusion it is very much a personal decision whether to get into these formats. Stereo CD still sounds pretty great to me even heard right after an SACD.
regards
GEOFFP
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by Squashbud
Krak
Back to your dedicated circut, I suggest a 20 amp breaker with 10/3 wire and a Leviton 8300-GY plug. You might also want to consider a WIREMOLD (see NANA website).
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by Squashbud
Sorry, that should have been 10/2 wire. The 10 gauge is definitely better than 12 or 14.
Posted on: 30 November 2003 by krak
squashbud,
thanks for your suggestions, had the electrician over this past weekend and installed all you mentioned...but the house quickly burned to the ground once the amps were turned back on. just kidding, the system sounds brighter and so far no electrical pops.
Thanks again,
krak
