nait/kans source shootout

Posted by: Claw24 on 19 December 2015

After many, many different upgrades and change of system components over the past 3 decades I have finally settled on the fact that my nait 2 feeding mk 2 kans via naca5 gives me the most enjoyment and PRaT

My source components consist of:

Naim CDX (recent full service)                                                    Linn LP12 akito Valhalla                  Airport Express direct to nait via Chord minijack to din                                          Cambridge audio dacmagic 100 (borrowed to make a point)  

As I listen to various form of media I thought it would be interesting to pitch my sources against each other.

Starting with the AE I am and always have been happy with the results that I get from this. Ease of use through AirPlay and total access to my complete library. It's not by any means an equal to the CDX or LP12  but still managed to give a good account of itself and didnt get 'exposed' as a weak source by the Kans

I then hooked up the borrowed dac to the AE and to be totally frank found no improvement whatsoever (as I knew I wouldnt) I have also played with 24/96 material but to me a good old school Phillips 16/44 sounds far more analogue and enjoyable with my nait/kans.

Next The CDX  

I had forgotten just how fast and dynamic this player sounded ( maybe the service helped!)  and at no point sounded 'harsh' but completely the opposite, offering probably the best synergy and most PRaT of all sources tested.

Finally the linn  

I thought I'd got this in accending order, but after falling back into how good the CDX sounded I'd have to say that only the feeling of nostalgia and the interaction with vinyl gave the linn the edge. Just like the CDX the Linn timed perfectly with my nait kans combo, you can't deny that these products were made for each other.

If pushed to make a choice in pure ears over heart terms if have to say I personally favour the CDX, but then I have just rediscovered it just like I did with vinyl. Could it be that good old 16 bit CD players could be the new 'back in vogue vinyl?'

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by gary yeowell

Interesting report. I ran my Kan Mk1's the other day with my CDS3 and SN2 for the first time and was grinning ear to ear. I also have a CD5/FC2 that also sounds superb with whatever i partner it with, from my Nait2, to NaitXS and SN2.

 

This afternoon and evening has been spent in the company of a newly purchased LP12/Akito of 1989 variety, with the last of the pre Cirkus bearings and a Valhalla. The table has not been serviced in 15 years, and all i did was to fit an Ortofon Quintet Blue. I am playing it all through a SN2/Stageline S, and a pair of Neat Iota's. Now this is how an LP12 is supposed to sound, and having had more modern variants in recent years, none of them have matched this era of LP12 before or now. I know for sure that if i played this through the Nait2/Kans it would suit to a tee...... i will likely do it tomorrow. 

Streamers and Dac's leave me cold and unengaged, with the possible exception of the Naim Dac, and i find them good for internet radio background listening but little else in general. For me, CD and vinyl is what really engages me.

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by Claw24

Thank god for that, I thought it was just me and my tinnitus that found streamers and dacs uninvolving!

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by hafler3o
Claw24 posted:

Thank god for that, I thought it was just me and my tinnitus that found streamers and dacs uninvolving!

No DAC in your CD player then?

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by gary yeowell

Yes there is, but i have yet to hear one outside of an integral payer i'd want to listen to.

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by hungryhalibut
gary yeowell posted:

Interesting report. I ran my Kan Mk1's the other day with my CDS3 and SN2 for the first time and was grinning ear to ear. I also have a CD5/FC2 that also sounds superb with whatever i partner it with, from my Nait2, to NaitXS and SN2.

 

This afternoon and evening has been spent in the company of a newly purchased LP12/Akito of 1989 variety, with the last of the pre Cirkus bearings and a Valhalla. The table has not been serviced in 15 years, and all i did was to fit an Ortofon Quintet Blue. I am playing it all through a SN2/Stageline S, and a pair of Neat Iota's. Now this is how an LP12 is supposed to sound, and having had more modern variants in recent years, none of them have matched this era of LP12 before or now. I know for sure that if i played this through the Nait2/Kans it would suit to a tee...... i will likely do it tomorrow. 

Streamers and Dac's leave me cold and unengaged, with the possible exception of the Naim Dac, and i find them good for internet radio background listening but little else in general. For me, CD and vinyl is what really engages me.

 

 

 

 

Over the years, in my sitting room here in sunny (in the summer) Emsworth, I've had an LP12 with Aro, Armageddon and Troika, followed by a CDS3 with XPS2 and then 555PS, followed by lesser variants, and now a 272/XPSDR. I can honestly say that the 272 is no less gripping than the LP or CD predecessors, and very possibly more so.  It's too easy to say that X format is better than y or z. If it's set up right, each can deliver what is required. 

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by Claw24

Just an old simple one, not an oversampled cold one

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by gary yeowell

HH, happy you enjoy it. I happen to think it is not at all engaging. 

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

If you are ever passing you must drop by for tea and a few tracks. Having had LP12s and Naim CD players for over 30 years I just don't get this unengaging thing. Of course some streamers are unengaging, just like some turntables and CD players, but if you get it right a streamer can be as engaging as any record player. If it wasn't so, I'd still have my LP12. 

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by gary yeowell

I have heard the 172/272 on numerous occasions, maybe 15/20, under optimal conditions from Naim, Naim dealers, and the comfort of my own home. Not for me i'm afraid. I do however appreciate the offer!

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by Claw24

HH I'm sure that you have found your perfect synergy with your streamer but for me and my speaker/amp choice I find that they were not 'voiced' for streaming hence the comments on involvement. And this is why I find the AE works to a point as like the CDX is 16/44 which again seems to sing with my  Nait/kans.

Posted on: 19 December 2015 by gary yeowell

Alba, i did once try a Rega CD player as transport into Qute dac, and didn't find it any better than streaming from a Mac Mini. The most enjoyable Dac's have been both the V1 and NDac from my Mac Mini, if somewhat over enthusiastic as compared to the CD players. 

Regarding LP12's, the most enjoyable by far have been Valhalla, Pre Cirkus, Ittok players. The worst i've had have been Cirkus, Aro, Gddn, or Cirkus Ekos. I did once own a pre Cirkus Aro Gddn player i enjoyed.

Posted on: 21 December 2015 by Joff

Gary,

I'm now running a DAC V1 with the new firmware fed by an AppleTV 3 into my Nait 3 and MkI Kans, and the old stuff has never sounded better.

Joff