Dr upgrade first? Or extra boxes?

karlosTT posted:

I don't feel it really answers or addresses the original question ?

Where's the fun in that? 

Hook posted:

 

But to quote Harry once again, that's just me.  Literally, that is, as I just described my current setup with the exception of Ovator 400s versus the OP's venerable SL2s. Ooops... 

Which is what 90% most of us do 58% quite a lot of the time 

ken c posted:

today, i am 90% happy ...

enjoy

ken

We are all grown ups (I hope), if we can say we are 90% happy, then it is a bloody good day.

I like Ice Cube's take on it:-

"Today I didn't even have to use my AK.  I have to say it was a good day"  

Hook posted:

By purchasing a 272 and considering an NDS, the OP would seem to have a serious interest in streaming.  Assuming a ripping strategy is in place, then I agree with those who have recommended a large trade-in:

Out: CD555/555PS and 272

In: NDS and 552 (late vintage ex-dem is a fine option)

DR the remaining 555PS and 300 and viola, the OP now owns a superb streaming setup!

With that solid digital solution in place, I agree with Gary that the only way to go further up is vinyl. A Well Tempered Amadeus GTA with an EMT JSD 6 is a wonderful combination, and a Superline sounds great when powered by a 552's AUX2.  Even if the OP lives in a small town with no local record shop, collecting vinyl by purchasing online can be a very rewarding experience.

But to quote Harry once again, that's just me.  Literally, that is, as I just described my current setupwith the exception of Ovator 400s versus the OP's venerable SL2s. Ooops... 

Hook

Ah ! A man with exceptionally good taste...........

Posted by the Strat Fender:

" To the OP we have ordered your 552 for you but seriously if you do as you intend and buy a 252 your listening will be transformed."

" I've heard the 272 on four separate ocasions"

Funny, of the four ocassions, even the armchair QB agrees, and I have not heard a thing! The Forum, Great Marketing device!

Statement vs 272/250DR, no brainer

Hi Cap/282/200 vs 272 /250DR

Ndx/Xps/282/SC vs 272/Xps

272/250DR vs Ndx/SN2

In the first three above cases, its no surprise that the Separate Analog Pre, out performs the digital Pre, even with external XPS.

In the last case, l'm on board with you also. The digital Pre should out perform the Integrated Pre.

And that's the Beauty of the 272, an aceptable level of performance, with less Black Boxes!

What I would like to hear, Is to what Degree!

Note, I've nevered heard a 252, less known, a 552!

The Armchair QB!!!!!!

Just a quick update. Here is a 552 on the rack now and a NDS is on the way. At the moment, I am running CD555 with two 555PS (YES, twin turbo charged!). Great system, love the sound. However, some of my friends believe the NDS with high res will beat the CD555 easily. Can not wait to see this happen.  Again, thank you everyone who contributed to this post. Have a lovely day.

 http://i1045.photobucket.com/a...stem_zpsvaxp1gk5.jpg

Nice.

Great to hear how it turned out Freezingcolddownhere.  A lovely picture too.

The system looks exceptionally neat from an aesthetic perspective.

However, as you already have 2 stacks of electronics (okay, with only 1 555PS in the second rack!) your ears would thank you considerably for investing in a pair of high quality racks and splitting your electronics into a Brawn stack (with all the mains transformers) and Brain stack (the boxes without the mains transformers).

Much has been written about this and about stacking order but there is a genuine consensus that doing so will make your music sound a whole lot better.  And for a very modest outlay, relative to the investment you have already made in your system. You really would benefit by getting that sensitive pre-amp off the top of those humungous mains transformers.

Hope this helps, FT

Well yes, and the picture also shows a power supply directly on top of the 300 head unit. That rack looks really dodgy to me. There will be far more improvement by getting two decent racks than adding a second 555PS when using a rack that is going everything to ensure the system sounds as bad as possible. It doesn't have to be Fraim: Isoblue, Hutter or Quadraspire SVT are very good too, though not as good as Fraim. 

What you need to consider is ...which expensive hi-fi Rack?...

Actually don't bother...we've had that thread...

but I must say Fraim seems to get the thumbs up from all the experienced naim forum users

If I were in this situation, I would dr the 300, based on my strong belief that Naim will come out with something like the 272 but in 252 maybe higher quality. Of course this may never happen, but why should it not. The time is for something like the 272 not upgrades to the classic preamps.

Of course not that relevant if the op should be converted from cd/streaming to lps.

Claus

wenger2015 posted:

 

but I must say Fraim seems to get the thumbs up from all the experienced naim forum users

That's because it's good. But like anything else it is not mandatory. The system as pictured is not optimally stacked but I bet it still sounds exceedingly good. 

Definitely agree with you HH, and as you say with a quality rack and correct stacking it will no doubt sound even better.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Well yes, and the picture also shows a power supply directly on top of the 300 head unit. That rack looks really dodgy to me. There will be far more improvement by getting two decent racks than adding a second 555PS when using a rack that is going everything to ensure the system sounds as bad as possible. It doesn't have to be Fraim: Isoblue, Hutter or Quadraspire SVT are very good too, though not as good as Fraim. 

Hahahaha, I knew these dodgy looking racks would catch some attentions. Thank you for reminding me and new racks are high on the to-do list. I tried the Fraim Lite, my local dealer install it for me. The result was very disappointing. At that stage, I had CDX2 instead of the CD555, we both agreed that the dodgy looking rack out performed Fraim Lite. Time to have a demo with the big brother.

I think so, yes. You really do need a Fraim to get the best out of that wonderful system. The difference a Fraim are, back in the day when I had a CDS3, 552 and 300 was amazing. Try to allow for a decent gap above and below the 552 if you can. Thanks for taking my comments in good spirits. 

I went from Sound Factory Tripods to FraimLite, and The difference wasn't all that! 

Everything did appear to quiet down! but sure looks good!

However,  I believe the  Addition of the Glass Nuts & Bolts with the Fraim may take my System to another level. 

That being said, here's a quote from Naim's website:

"It retains the cup-and-cone interface system used by its bigger brother too, but omits the dual layer base and ball-bearing decoupled glass shelf. Reference Fraim levels can be incorporated into the same system as FraimLite so that you can upgrade to our top of the range equipment support on a level-by-level basis"

2nd Fraimlite won't cost you an arm and a leg, and interchangeable with Reference Fraim.

Also, one can add Naim's Cups & Nuts to  Fraim Lite at a fraction of the cost of Reference Fraim.

But, if money is not an issue, a two stack 4 tier Brains/ Brawns set-up can be had for about 6000 Pounds or so!

JMHO

The Armchair QB!

The Tripod was actually an excellent stand. To me, the Fraim's USP is its clever use of wood, glass and decoupling. The Lite is something of a pale imitation. If you add the balls, you don't get the little recesses that the Fraim has, and having the big square shelves looks odd with the glass on top.

Back in the day, when I had the bigger system, it was all optimally arranged on Fraim, to great effect.  Here it is, in a slightly fuzzy picture I retrieved from the web, as I deleted the original. 

Point on HH, That's why I was thinking of integrating The Fraim shelves from top to bottom. Looks is important in  hobbie.

And then spec The glass out, and nut & bolt downard to The single level Fraim Lite Base.

But agreed, if Cash is not a problem Fraim.

But it was considerate of Naim to allow the Reference Upgrade with Fraim Lite!

The Armchair QB!!

HH, Don't you miss those beautiful Black boxes resting on Reference Fraim???

FreezingColdDownHere posted:

Hahahaha, I knew these dodgy looking racks would catch some attentions.... we both agreed that the dodgy looking rack out performed Fraim Lite. Time to have a demo with the big brother.

Indeed!

Fraim is the best and equally the most expensive.  I too cannot bring myself to get terribly excited about which excellent rack to go with.

However, separating brawn from brain stacks is an unqualified recommendation.  If you like your "dodgy looking rack" (and why not?), then just buy a second one.  It will be much cheaper than buying a new Fraim and will still give you all the benefits of separating the 300, 552 and  555 head units from those huge transformers inside the power supplies.  All you will miss out on is the mechanical decoupling of Fraim.

So if you are concerned about the cost of Fraim, then do this and see how it goes.  I expect the answer will be very well indeed.

Best regards, FT

Agreed Foot Tapper:

That's why I suggested Fraim Lite!

CD555= 3 boxes

 NDS= 2 boxes

300 = 2 boxes

552 = 2 boxes

The OP is looking at a minum of 10 shelves, sure will look sweet, when Fraimed!

Allante93 posted:

HH, Don't you miss those beautiful Black boxes resting on Reference Fraim???

I did at the time, because I downsized to a CD5x and a Nait 5i. But no longer. I was merely posting the picture as an illustration of how FCDH's system could be accommodated on Fraim and to give an idea what it would look like. You'll see the empty levels above and below the 552, which make a big difference to the system's performance. 

These days, I'm very happy with my Quadraspire SVT, in panda-friendly bamboo. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Allante93 posted:

HH, Don't you miss those beautiful Black boxes resting on Reference Fraim???

I did at the time, because I downsized to a CD5x and a Nait 5i. But no longer. I was merely posting the picture as an illustration of how FCDH's system could be accommodated on Fraim and to give an idea what it would look like. You'll see the empty levels above and below the 552, which make a big difference to the system's performance. 

These days, I'm very happy with my Quadraspire SVT, in panda-friendly bamboo. 

Trust me, digital Pre is The new Paradigm! 

I bet it's not That much difference between your old rig and the 272!