New Xps dr or Expensive Hi-fi Rack?

In a similar system to yours, NDX instead of CDX2, lessor speakers (Kudos C20's) and at the time I had a NAP 200 I changed from a Stands Unique rack to a Fraim.

I did this as part of an equipment reduction initiative, out went the tuner, the NV-i and surround sound speakers and the proceeds from these paid for a used Fraim, bought mainly as it seemed the right thing to do as the system had reached quite a decent level and we both liked the look of the thing.

The difference that this made was ridiculous, it wasn't subtle and the step change was similar to a box upgrade.  I could go as far as saying that my jaw hit the floor, but that in itself is also ridiculous.

I don't know what difference the XPS-2 would make to your CD player but my advice would be at this level don't underestimate the importance of a good rack in the system.

The trouble is that it's easy to try/demo a new box, but a rack is so much harder to audition.

Richard

Yes my Fraim was the only Naim product I bought on faith due to the difficulty in 'demoing' the difference it makes. As others have said the introduction of the Fraim (or other quality rack I would imagine) made a significant difference. I was also convinced the Fraim would allow me to reap maximum benefit from future upgrades.

At such a point in upgrading your heart tells you 'new black box', but your head should be shouting 'decent rack'. I certainly had this dilemma, luckily I chose to listen to my bonce on that occasion.

wenger2015 posted:

I'm looking ahead regarding my next upgrade. Purchase an XPS dr or a high spec Rack?

After reviewing all the various threads on the forum, I can see pros and cons for a High Spec Rack, and generally only positive Views on XPSdr.

My inclination is to go with an xps dr, as I think that would yield the most significant improvement...

But would appreciate  imput from forum.

System is CDx2, Nap 250dr, Nac 282, Hicap dr, Sopra2's ,Project 2 Xperience X pack TT, Dynavector, Apollo Rack 

Simple answer to a simple question...  get the XPS dr.    That, of the two options, is where you'll hear the most improvement in sound quality.

Naimiac posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Naimiac,  unfortunately I agree with you, 

Wenger,

I'm glad you agree with me, although I am a little sorry that you seem to consider it misfortune...

;-)

N

Because of the nature of this forum, it's not always easy to articulate what is meant and what could be said better, so I always like to attribute good intentions to whatever is said.

Tricky dickie, NIGELB, It is somewhat difficult to dem a rack, hence the dilemma I suppose and the nagging doubt if it is worth the investment, whereas the xpsdr is I think not in question as to the benefits.

Because I'm extremely pleased with the way my system already  sounds it makes it even more difficult to imagine the real difference a rack would make.

But appreciate your imput, despite the fact I was thinking as RJStaines has just commented, I suppose I need to explore the rack option more throughly?

wenger2015 posted:

Because I'm extremely pleased with the way my system already  sounds it makes it even more difficult to imagine the real difference a rack would make.

If you're very pleased then spend the money on more music or a holiday!

trickydickie posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Because I'm extremely pleased with the way my system already  sounds it makes it even more difficult to imagine the real difference a rack would make.

If you're very pleased then spend the money on more music or a holiday!

Amen to that!

trickydickie posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Because I'm extremely pleased with the way my system already  sounds it makes it even more difficult to imagine the real difference a rack would make.

If you're very pleased then spend the money on more music or a holiday!

Most of us on here are very pleased with our system, but that doesn't stop the desire to improve what we have (in many cases).

Wenger, I can understand your logic re being happy with what your rack is doing and I also understand it is not so easy to demo a rack in the same way it is a black box or cable.

Ultimately a "better" rack improves isolation for each component - both between each box and the floor. For what it is worth, when I owned a CDX 2 I tried an XPS2 on it and the improvement was OK but didn't justify the outlay for me. (AS an aside, I tried a 555 on the CDX 2 and it was a mind blowing improvement - just couldn't afford one at the time). I use an isoblue rack and took some advice to try isolation cones under the CDP - which I duly did and found that the uplift in SQ was quite amazing. 

I have recently added a 555 to my 272 - so certainly have no aversion to spending money if the perceived improvement (to my ears) is justifiable. But FWIW the difference the cones made to my CDX2 is not unlike what the 555 has done for the 272. The cones cost me @£50. 

Your dealer may have some cones or pads you could borrow - to give a sense of what better isolation could do - to help form your decision of where to put your money next. 

Harty601 posted:

trickydickie posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Because I'm extremely pleased with the way my system already  sounds it makes it even more difficult to imagine the real difference a rack would make.

If you're very pleased then spend the money on more music or a holiday!

Most of us on here are very pleased with our system, but that doesn't stop the desire to improve what we have (in many cases).

Wenger, I can understand your logic re being happy with what your rack is doing and I also understand it is not so easy to demo a rack in the same way it is a black box or cable.

Ultimately a "better" rack improves isolation for each component - both between each box and the floor. For what it is worth, when I owned a CDX 2 I tried an XPS2 on it and the improvement was OK but didn't justify the outlay for me. (AS an aside, I tried a 555 on the CDX 2 and it was a mind blowing improvement - just couldn't afford one at the time). I use an isoblue rack and took some advice to try isolation cones under the CDP - which I duly did and found that the uplift in SQ was quite amazing. 

I have recently added a 555 to my 272 - so certainly have no aversion to spending money if the perceived improvement (to my ears) is justifiable. But FWIW the difference the cones made to my CDX2 is not unlike what the 555 has done for the 272. The cones cost me @£50. 

Your dealer may have some cones or pads you could borrow - to give a sense of what better isolation could do - to help form your decision of where to put your money next. 

Appreciate your imput, certainly given me a little more clarity, your comments about the desire to improve sums it up perfectly 

WENGER. 

If you do just get the power supply, you will have to do something with your rack - you don't have enough shelf space - doh.

Just "no more nails" it to the wall 

TOBYJUG posted:

WENGER. 

If you do just get the power supply, you will have to do something with your rack - you don't have enough shelf space - doh.

I have a 2nd appolo rack, can add shelves or use side by side possibly 

Although an infrequent visitor to this forum, I'd be tempted to invest in a better rack and try to locate it away from the side-draft of those wonderful speakers if possible. If you have the time, there's an excellent publication - Get Better Sound by Jim Smith (see Amazon). Optimise the listening environment and you'd be surprised what you can get from little to no outlay.

wenger2015 posted:

TOBYJUG posted:

WENGER. 

If you do just get the power supply, you will have to do something with your rack - you don't have enough shelf space - doh.

I have a 2nd appolo rack, can add shelves or use side by side possibly 

Well great news.

Just to recap on advice so far....

1. I need a hearing test.

2. I should book a holiday 

3. Order some new music

4. Polish a turd

5. Eat some of HH's humble pie

Thanks guys 

I'm sure you'll sift the wheat from the chaff in all this, Wenger.  And re your point 5, HH means well I'm sure, but there have been a few instances where he hasn't followed the advice he's given others.  For example, I can recall a time when a Hutter rack was all anyone needed.    

With your ability to see the wood for the trees, Wenger, as your summary above demonstrates, I'm confident you will have no problem selecting between a power supply and a rack...

wenger2015 posted:

Just to recap on advice so far....

1. I need a hearing test.

2. I should book a holiday 

3. Order some new music

4. Polish a turd

5. Eat some of HH's humble pie

Thanks guys 

 

Please don't forget my helpful tip on attaching your potential xps to the wall using no more nails. 

Harty601 posted:

wenger2015 posted:

Just to recap on advice so far....

1. I need a hearing test.

2. I should book a holiday 

3. Order some new music

4. Polish a turd

5. Eat some of HH's humble pie

Thanks guys 

 

Please don't forget my helpful tip on attaching your potential xps to the wall using no more nails. 

Apologies, that should be point 6 

MDS posted:

I'm sure you'll sift the wheat from the chaff in all this, Wenger.  And re your point 5, HH means well I'm sure, but there have been a few instances where he hasn't followed the advice he's given others.  For example, I can recall a time when a Hutter rack was all anyone needed.    

On point 5, hutter racks are so 80's 

Hi Wenger. Busy day and I've finally found time to read through the comments posted. A lot of common sense and a few divided options too. I guess the main thought is to de couple your gear from the floor and each other. Apart from an XPS (when that arrives) which seems to need to be coupled firmly to a wall with no more nails. In light of this new information, I have emailed my dealer about this and he is happy to supply a tube when I purchase my XPS. 

Finkfan posted:

Hi Wenger. Busy day and I've finally found time to read through the comments posted. A lot of common sense and a few divided options too. I guess the main thought is to de couple your gear from the floor and each other. Apart from an XPS (when that arrives) which seems to need to be coupled firmly to a wall with no more nails. In light of this new information, I have emailed my dealer about this and he is happy to supply a tube when I purchase my XPS. 

If all boxes were put on a wall using ' no more nails' then that deems a rack to be totally unnecessary....may need a couple of tubes...

Don't use no more nails. I tried it once. I've now gone back to using gripfill, sounds better.

I've just tried Blue tack, it's not gone well....

Araldite?