Naim NBL question

Posted by: Andyzeg on 29 March 2016

Hi Everyone - I'm new to the Forum...and really quite new to Naim Audio (less than 18 months)

I have built up a system of pre-owned Naim separates (mostly) and in doing so, am fulfilling a lifelong dream of owning and enjoying a quality Naim system and the lovely sound reproduction that comes with it.

My setup is as follows :- NAC 82 / NAP 250 (olive) / CDS2 & XPS (newly acquired) / NAT05 Tuner / NBL Speakers / NAC A5 cable and the only non Naim item (soon to be rectified I hope) is a non-Naim power supply. I will try to upload some photos...but not sure how to do it yet.

I love the sound of the system and the CDS2/XPS is definitely a wonderful recent upgrade from my previous CD5/Flatcap 2.

I do have a question though, about the NBL speakers and wondered if any Members could advise me? I have the speakers on spikes and positioned a few inches from the back wall, 7 feet apart and slightly inclined towards the middle.  The Mid-Range/Tweeter enclosures are suspended nicely I believe...however, I am not sure if I have to do anything with the Bass enclosures? The transit bolts are out from the back, but should the Bass unit enclosures be fairly solid (as mine seem to be) or should they have some sort of free movement?  I can't find any specific info on this and was wondering if my speakers were correctly set up or not.

 I haven't yet been brave enough to up end the speakers and unbolt the whole Bass unit chassis and enclosure...but maybe I just don't need to!

Any advice or help would be very much appreciated...on any part of my system

Many thanks in advance...and also thank you for a super Forum...I have learned so much already and Members seem to be a very friendly and helpful lot!

Kind Regards

Moderated Post:  Welcome to the forum Andyzeg.  I have made a small edit to your post, so that it complies with forum rules.  Please ensure you have read and understood the rules and remember that discussion of unauthorised modifications to Naim kit (which includes 3rd party power supplies) is not allowed on the forum.  Thanks.

 

 

 

Posted on: 29 March 2016 by blythe

I am 99% sure the bass drivers should be solid. From memory, it's only the other drivers which "float".
I am not at home in the UK at the moment so am unable to absolutely confirm this.
Fantastic loudspeakers by the way. But I am a little biased! 

Posted on: 30 March 2016 by mlauner

The bass drivers on my NBLs are solid. They were set up by the dealer who delivered them and remain the same. Mine are positioned 5 cm from the rear wall and are 7.5 feet apart. Sound is excellent.

Posted on: 30 March 2016 by Andyzeg

Thank you for your replies guys...it puts my mind at rest that the bass enclosures should be solid and that my NBLs are setup properly And yes...they do sound excellent! 

Posted on: 31 March 2016 by blythe

You should hear them with a 300, 500 or active 

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by Andyzeg

Hi Blythe....could I ask a further question about the NBLs?

I would like to investigate going active.....so does that mean I just remove the existing passive crossover....purchase a snaxo 3.6 (setup for NBLs) and another couple of Nap250s, etc....or is it more complicated?

I have no idea really as I have never had an active system before, so any advice would be gratefully appreciated. But I would really like to push the speakers to their full potential... within a limited budget (second user items), so unfortunately it won't be a Nap 500 

Kind regards

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by Richard Dane

Almost..  You will need a power supply for the SNAXO, either a Hicap or better yet, a Supercap (+ SNAXO Burndy), and two more sets of speaker cable (all same length please).  As most SNAXO 3-6s are set up for either DBLs or Isobariks you may find an NBL version hard to find - don't worry though as the factory can adjust any SNAXO 3-6 or SNAXO 362 to suit.

Oh, you'll also need to gen up on Active system set-up. Like a finely balance race car, time spent getting things just right bring the rewards, otherwise you'll be wondering why you bothered. So patience and time will be needed too...

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by Andyzeg

Thanks for your reply Richard....how hard can it be?...(famous last words....   haha!

Your info is very useful though...and I will look into all this in great depth as I don't want to mess it up! Yes I did realise that I needed an extra Hi-cap/Supercap...so I will have to start saving....again!

Is it just me....or is owing and upgrading a Naim system somewhat addictive?? And not to mention bankrupting! ....Actually, first prize there goes to my recently purchased "mid-life crisis" Jaguar.....don't get me started!

I have to say though...that I really enjoy my Naim system and listening to music has absorbed me once again....and thanks to you all for this Forum too.  No doubt I will be a regular visitor once I decide to start down that mysterious rocky road to ACTIVE! 

Kind regards

 

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by hungryhalibut

Before even thinking of active, get a 52 and Supercap. 

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by Andyzeg

Yes...a 52 is really my next upgrade. 

Posted on: 14 April 2016 by bazz

Wow, love the Jag Andy, so sleek.

And I agree with the suggestion to get a 52 before you go active with the NBLs.

Posted on: 15 April 2016 by mlauner

While I am sure the Nac 52 would be a huge improvement, the 82, 3 Nap 250s, CDS3, snaxo 362, and NBLs make outstanding music. Major upgrade over passive in my system

Posted on: 15 April 2016 by Marksnaim

I agree with MLAUNER. Going active is a fundamental change. Be prepared for the amount of spaghetti and black boxes though. It can get a bit overwhelming!