Best three box system for c. £10k
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 16 October 2015
This topic has come up a few times in a number of threads, and the idea of a dedicated thread has been mooted, so I thought I'd start it off.
I've invested recently in a 272/XPSDR/250DR, but there are other options too: NDX/XPSDR/Supernait 2 and NDX/282/200 come to mind.
I chose the option I bought for a number of reasons:
- minimal redundancy
- it only needs two mains plugs (I have only a double socket on my spur)
- no need for a hi-line
- I like the volume control on the 272
- it cannot be easily upgraded
Both NDX options come with more flexibility, and I have heard it said that the option with the 282 has ultimately the best sound quality.
What do others think?
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by ChrisH
Some fascinating options posted, even the disqualified ones!
Im with 2boxes, NDX/SN2, will go for 3 sometime, most likely XPS, but there could be more thinking to be done now some different thoughts have been planted in my brain.
Top thread HH.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Clive B
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by Christopher_M:
That system's a monkfish!
Sooner or later, these threads always turn fishy!
Look who started it!
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Faux75
I am very happy with my
Uniti/Staigeline & LP12 (cirkus,Hercules,ittok
Simple and around £3k secondhand.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by joe9407
this is stretching the rules a bit, but for me:
RP10/DV20X2L
Superline & UQ2 (put them on the same shelf and they look like one box)
SN2
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by Zeny:
I vote for 272/300. This is also a circa 10k system.
Crazy though it sounds, I listened to this and was really impressed - enough to go back to my dealer for a second listen. After that, though, I had to concede that the 272 lacked refinement without the XPS. If you're a party animal and like plenty of guts to your music, it would be a great choice.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Harty601
Just plugged up an Isotek Sigmas Evo 3 to the 272/250DR for a few days demo. An hour in and it is doing a very nice job. So much so that when I added in the XPS (also have on dem) I didn't feel there was such a step up. I also appreciate it would disqualify me from the "competition" and clearly retribution was swift as the XPS blew a fuse and then blew another 2!!! Dealer kindly on his was over to have a look and have some dinner.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by hungryhalibut
If you can't hear what the XPS is doing it's doubtless because the isotek is buggering up the sound from the 272/250. Put the horrid thing back in its box where it belongs and try again. Unless you have the mains from hell, you have no need for a conditioner. The only conditioner should be on your hair.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Harty601
Once I can get the XPS running again I will give it a go with the Isotek (that was what I was trying when it went pop).
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Harty601
BTW HH, could you be a little clearer on your feelings about mains conditioners, I though your post was a little "sitting on the fence" ????
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by TOBYJUG
Is it possible to run a HUGO or HUGO TT as a pre amp into a 300 dr ?
if so this might be your best system for said sterling .
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Harty601
Originally Posted by Harty601:
Once I can get the XPS running again I will give it a go with the Isotek (that was what I was trying when it went pop).
Posted from iPhone and can't edit - meant will try the XPS WITHout the isotek.
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by TOBYJUG:
Is it possible to run a HUGO or HUGO TT as a pre amp into a 300 dr ?
if so this might be your best system for said sterling .
What's feeding the Hugo is critical ime. NDX Hugo SN2/HCDR where the two small boxes equal a whole box is an astounding 'three' box £10k system...
G
Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Harty601
XPS V poorly, on it's way back to Naim. Looks like I'll continue to try conditioning on more than my hair for a few days 
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Singslinger
NDX into a biamped configuration of SN2/250.2.
Except for the NDX (I use the Marantz NA11-S1) I'm using the above with my Spendor SP 100/2R2 with fantastic results.
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by karlosTT
Originally Posted by Singslinger:
NDX into a biamped configuration of SN2/250.2.
Except for the NDX (I use the Marantz NA11-S1) I'm using the above with my Spendor SP 100/2R2 with fantastic results.
An interesting curve ball there, Singslinger.
I assume you have the 250 on bass duty ?
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Singslinger
Originally Posted by karlosTT:
Originally Posted by Singslinger:
NDX into a biamped configuration of SN2/250.2.
Except for the NDX (I use the Marantz NA11-S1) I'm using the above with my Spendor SP 100/2R2 with fantastic results.
An interesting curve ball there, Singslinger.
I assume you have the 250 on bass duty ?
Hello karlosTT
Yes, the SN2 drives the upper frequencies and the 250.2 the bass. I did try it the other way around but didn't quite like the sound.
I should also add that there is dedicated electrical spur installed for the hifi and all components are fed by a PS Audio P5 regenerator. Both amps use 3.5m lengths of NAC A5 speaker cables.
Posted on: 18 October 2015 by karlosTT
Singslinger said: Yes, the SN2 drives the upper frequencies and the 250.2 the bass. I did try it the other way around but didn't quite like the sound.
I could see this bi-amping option being particularly useful in a situation of high(er) power requirement, where otherwise perhaps a 300 may have been employed. It would certainly be interesting to hear how it sounds.
The LF/HF amp assignment that you preferred makes total sense. The 250 is consistently praised for it bass control, perhaps down to the regulation, whilst one thing folks seem to love about the SN2 is its voicing. So using them as you have ought to be bring the best of each to the job in hand.
There remains a question in the back of my mind about bi-amping generally, in that it doesn't typically seem to be something that Naim advocate (outside of active/SNAXO scenarios), nor does it garner a great deal of enthusiasm on this board. I'm unclear on the reasons for that......
