Best three box system for c. £10k

CDS3, Nait 5i.

Chris

I see you are presuming that a three box system would not include a turntable or a cd as a source - many people (myself amongst them) are still more than happy playing vinyl or silver discs....

Beautiful I still have very fond memories of Nait 5i and decent sources

I think it's budget and source dependent. Presuming you're talking about a Naim system, these would be my choices in order of sonic preference:

NDS/555PS/Supernait2

NDS/XPSDR/Supernait2

NDS/XP5XS/Supernait2

NDX/555PS/Supernait2

NDX/XPSDR/Supernait2 =? 272/552PS/250 

NDX/XP5XS/Supernait2 =? 272/XPSDR/250

272/XP5XS/250

As you can see, I generally prefer the NDX/Supernait over the 272/250 solution. You mention not needing the HiLine. The cost of the HiLine is largely offset by the difference in price since the NDX/Supernait is about £500 cheaper than the 272/250.

Obviously, this is rather dependent on the speakers. There will be situations where the 272 solution may eclipse the NDX because of the extra grunt in the 250. So for example, the rather more awkward load posed by some speakers causes enough difficulty in the amplifier stage that the 250 is needed to drive them properly. This doesn't just mean speakers which are 4 ohm, but really means speakers which present a more reactive load. It's difficult to know which these are until you've actually tried them.

For example if you'd simply asked for the best Naim-based £10k system, I think at the top of my list would have been the SuperUniti/Shahinian Arc. Totally sends the source first principle out of the window but is a tremendous solution.

Sorry, but you asked...

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.

As discussed elsewhere, I really liked the 272/XPS/250DR, but thought the NDX was better. It was nice with a Supernait, but really excelled with the separate pre/power amps. Even with the 202/200DR I thought it was a match for the 272 system, but I finally plumped for NDX/282/200DR.

I should point out that my speakers are Kudos X2s, which are fairly small and easy to drive, in a smallish room. This means that I can drive them with a 200 rather than a 250, which, as well as being twice as expensive, cannot power a preamp - so I avoid the need for a Hicap which I don't have room for.

There are a few things about the 272 setup that I preferred - no need for a NAPSC; neater appearance without the rows of unused buttons on the 282; better volume control on the app - and I can't squeeze a meatier 250 into the system. I do, however, compensate for that by cheating badly on the 3-box rule, as I have a rather large 4th box in the form of an N-Sub hidden out of view behind the sofa!

(I should point out that much of this is based on listening sessions at my dealers. I've bought the 200DR, and I'm running it with my Superuniti pending the arrival of the 282, and then the NDX.) 

Indeed, come to think of it, I'd probably prefer an NDX/202/200DR over the NDX/XPS5XS/Supernait. I discount the 282 because that's 2 boxes, even if the NAPSC is a small box...

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.

For me, if I can hide a box out of view, it doesn't count, as my self-imposed 3-box limit is largely an aesthetic choice - I don't want to live in a room that feels like a dealer's dem. room. Besides, none of these systems would even work without loads more boxes - NAS, backup NAS, switch, etc. 

How about LP 12 Valhalla/Aro/Koetsu Rosewood/Superline/Supernait2? Something else for sure and sadly two items are no longer in production.

That doesn't count, you're insulting your LP12 by calling it a box! Nice, though.

The NDS/555PS/Supernait 2 costs £16k, which cannot by any stretch of the imagination be said to be c. £10k. I have no doubt it's the best, but it's disqualified. 

I did think about it, but imposed a bit of self discipline by a) not listening to it, and b) not getting a system including a Supernait - thus intentionally burning my bridges!

Off-topic, or partially so, my four boxes system (CDS3, XPS-DR, Supernait, HC-DR, Vertere IC and speaker cables, SBLs with new foam grilles) costed me - at today's change rates - the equivalent of £ 6570, and although it's good money I consider it hardly beatable.

If I had to choose a three-box system I'd probably say CDX2, SN, HC-DR. This, assuming none of us is using loudspeakers. Or CDX2, 202, 200.

Interesting thread.  My box count has gotten a bit more than I originally intended.  Out of the gear I have, a 3 box system would be CDX2, NAT05 XS, & Supernait 2.  Or CDX2, NAT05 XS, & Nait5i. 

Could substitute Magnum Dynalab MD 100 for the NAT05 XS in either setup.  

That system's a monkfish!

You can do even better with two boxes for £ 7,460.

Resonessence Mirus £ 4495

Supernait 2 : £ 2965

Benefits :

- No upgrade possible on the DAC, which is in NDS territory

- With the SD card reader, the DAC is a complete source

- Streaming via your computer into the USB input on the Mirus (also, Resonessence has a DACless streamer coming out soon)

If you really want a third box, then HiCap DR on the SN2

Jan

NDX

Hugo or Hugo TT

SN2

Sooner or later, these threads always turn fishy!

N D S

X P S

S N 2

Whoops, sorry guys, I completely missed the c £10k stipulation. My mistake. (Now trying to figure out how I missed it...)

That's a shame - the NDS is out then.

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.

Salesman through and through 

Interesting that you still rate the NDS above any other option, even just powered with an XP5XS. With a bit of haggling, that wouldn't be so far beyond a 10k budget.

If you shop around and buy ex-dem or used. NDS/XPS/SN2 should be just about doable IMHO

At one point I had one of the suggested £10k systems - NDX/282/200 but added a Hicap which makes 4 boxes assuming you are allowing the NAPSC through. The Hicap was quite old and only cost £500 from memory so maybe you can cut me a bit of slack.

I really liked this system but was never able to compare it to say a 272 based system so can't say what I'd prefer.

I did however get the feeling that something was missing and was never properly satisfied until the arrival of the 250.2 and more latterly by the wonderful 250DR which of course takes it over the £10k limit. My speakers are not too demanding so the leap up brought by the 250DR wasn't due to a need to feed power-hungry speakers.

Now I have always been a source first man but IMHO the 250DR is such a leap forward that I could argue that a £10k 3 box system that could accommodate a 250DR without too much compromising the front end (i.e. a 272 would be ideal I would imagine) might very well win on SQ grounds. All of this is speculation on my part because I have only heard a 272 at a show so could not make a proper assessment. I have however made a proper assessment of the capabilities of the 250DR and it is a wonderful bit of kit.

Indeed so, though I was basing the comparisons on new prices.