NDS, SN2 and new speakers

Posted by: Stover on 13 December 2015

Some thoughts from me. Please feel free to comment or give advices.

I've been into this (speaker audition) not very long ago, when using 252/300 as amp. After auditioning 5 speakers, from three brands, I landed on some Dem. Kudos Titan. They are now sold, due to a downgrading process. I was wondering if I could sell NDS also, using the Serve as the main digital source, with a dac, but so far NDS is still here.

I did a lot of work trying to make the setup work in my room, but without any success. Titans where tamed to the acceptable when going from 252/300 to SN2, but then it made a huge mullet. Second, I have found I'm not built by birth owning a music system at that cost, even if I can afford it. I also know perfectly well I have room issues that has to be solved, I"m still working on this.

The reason for all this written "nonsence", is currently while posting this, I'm listening to Unitiqute2/ Neat Iota playing music in the living room and this setup is such a musical performer. I love it and rated by joy, it's the best music system I have ever owned. I'm 53 now

So, from a NDS, SN2 perspective, I have been thinking of new speakers where the full synergy may give me some of the Qute/ Iota experience. So, why not copy the system in the LR to the basement, 4,5 x 6m, firing from the longest wall, or even add some Neat speakers? I may end up there, but want to check out some alternatives.

Been curious on Magnepan 1.7i (and Harbeth SHL5+ different speakers of course), but it seems like people leave them, due to lack of the deepest bass. I'm not a bass freak, (Iota is very rich in the bass, but it has it's limitations) but playing mostly classical music, jazz and soft pop/ rock, bass is a fundamental ingredience to me.

Reason for looking at the Maggies is based on what I have heard from line source speakers built here in Trondheim, from the Adyton founder. That said, they are to expensive and makes Magnepan 1.7i affordable (read above). These speakers are very different from what I'm used to and may be totally mismatch, but I have to give it a chance.

Recently I listened to some Focal Scala Utopia, run by Devialet 250 at a dealer. That was a remarkable experience and that leads me to a more obvious choice, the latest Focal Aria series that have been tuned towards Naim sound. 5 models to choose from.

The coming auditions, I do- and don't look forward to it. Thanks

Stover

Posted on: 16 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

I wasn't going to suggest them, but now that you mention it.....

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Stover

Christopher_M posted:
Ah yes, 'good deals'. SL2s lovely. But this is not about speaker recommendations or room acoustics ;-) C.

Well, the heading says " NDS, SN2 and new speakers".

I`m not after a list from you people, that sums up what speakers are recommended with my setup. It`s not that simple to me. My intension (who may have been diffuse) was as simple as telling how good this simple setup is and why can`t I achieve the same downstairs. I must admit that may have a connection with room acoustics, but that issue is in progress. Next is to find the speakers that can give the magic in this specific setup. I will also move the entry level setup downstairs, to find out more about the room differences

So for Christoffer and more I guess. Feel free to comment or give advice, but I´m after magic/ emotion, not necessarily perfection.

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by b_lund

Emotion = Russell K

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Christopher_M

Magic = Harry Potter Chris

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Felix H

Since your downstairs system is now your benchmark, how about "borrowing" the downstairs speakers for your main system? The result with NDS/SN2 should be much better than what you have downstairs. A better basis to proceed from.

BTW for downgrading (or experimenting downgrade options) you should have let go first of the Titans, not the 252/300. But I guess you figured that out already.

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Stover

Yes, I will experiment with what I have, thats a wise move. Thank you.

Where I live, one should be happy selling anything at all these days. Luckily I got my money back on both amp and speakers in the end. Currently I have no speakers in the main system, downstairs, which is where NDS/ SN is located. I will try the Iotas there as a start

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Stover

Christopher_M posted:
Magic = Harry Potter Chris

Great input C . I guess one get as deserved.

Posted on: 17 December 2015 by Stover

Well, I just had the need of telling that a entry level setup with pretty small speakers can work extremely well in a large room. Further that a better or more expensive system don`t have to create the same amount of joy, or at least it needs to be worked on. I know that finding the right balance through the whole chain and correct the room acoustics, some patient will bring me there in the end.

Thanks, enjoy and a Merry Christmas

Posted on: 18 December 2015 by Rocabarraigh

look at my setup. Very happy with those Neats - momentum SX3i - its taken a long time - years - to get it just nice as i have a bright room with concrete floors ; i do now have the ability to adjust with some linn software room optimisation in my KDS. The SX3i is very different to the older 3i - the brittleness is gone - much more listenable top end without fatigue; really nice with SN /Hicap DR. Now thinking about biamping with a 200 or 250 as i have two sets of inputs on the neats.

Give them a try - i say.

Patrick

Posted on: 23 January 2016 by Stover

If it should have any interest, " I still havent found what I'm looking for " Many speaker brands to choose from. Right now Focal, Harbeth, Spendor, Neat and even some dipoles are on my list. I'm in no hurry because....... This afternoon I moved Qute/ Iota into the 27m2 loft, added an Audiovector sub I had in spare (did I say sub?). Iotas quite far from back wall, some adjustments to the sub and what can I say? An even greater music system than in the living room.

This makes me think it don't necessarily have to be an expensive speaker, it just have to fit the room and make some balance.

Enjoy, S

Posted on: 23 January 2016 by WTCRP

STOVER: I'm soo in love with my full monty rebuild CB Nait 2!!!!! It's such a simple amp that I listen for about 8-10 hours/day since I've received it. I hope you find a simple system setup that you can just enjoy the music and stop chasing down equipment because that can become expensive and time consuming.

If your Qute is musical for your ears then find a suitable transducer to match it and to your listening area. Hunt down and search out new music - life's too short.

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Stover

Agreed, less has become more to me.

Last summer I sold my 252/300 with just a small loss, same with the Kudos Titans this winter. If that's not enough, I sold my NDS/555PS today. In total I have lost just a small amount of money, especially if one consider the experience and joy they gave me during ownership.

My former listening room will probably become a rented flat and give some income. I don't have to, but it has been a big luxury using 40 m2 as a listening space, when the rest of the house is more than enough.

Will probably built a main system around SN2 in the loft, with suited speakers and a source based on UQ or US. Muso in the living room is more than enough.

I really enjoy music listening at every possible occasion, but not necessarily from a top end system, not anymore. That said, all respect goes to those that do so.

Thanks, S