Speakers choice for 282/SCDR/250DR pt.2

I have pretty well gone down the same path you are trying out (with exactly the same speakers I might add) and feel much the same as you regarding SQ improvements along the way. Not so surprising really. Other than I too was amazed at how many hidden talents the GX300s have, and it took the NDS/252(previously 282)/250DR/SL speaker leads/SL IC to show how good the GX300s really are. That is why I was suggesting you go source first before upgrading your speakers because I was pretty sure your speakers had far more to give.

It does make sense to do it in stages with the 555PS first (because your current NDX will benefit form it), then NDS and finally the SL IC in my opinion. As you say you will then need to think a bit bigger regarding speakers with the final, very capable system. Sopra 2s are an obvious contender if you are OK with their looks.

I am so good at spending other people's money. 

Very pleased to hear you are getting such great results from all the box shifting - it really is worth it in the end!

N

Indeed.

One small change in the sequence - SuperLumina DIN will stay now - I'm not giving it back

Dont blame you!

Adam, l have been thinking about the order of your proposed new acquitions and there MIGHT be a better alternative which may or may not work.

OK might as well keep the SuperLumina interconnect - no brainier IMO. I noticed from your profile that you have an XPS - not sure if is powering the nDAC in the second system or powering the NDX. What you could consider is using this XPS in the main system and get the NDS first. I realise borrowing the XPS from the second system (if indeed it is used there) will compromise it but the nDAC can be used bare and it will only be until the 555 arrives.

I currently use an XPS to power my NDS and it is stonking. Yes, I plan to get a 555 in due course but I see no need to rush. I think the NDS/XPS will be a more satisfying combo than the NDX/555. While you have the gear there you could indeed test this theory.

If I am right then why not get the NDS first and borrow the XPS from the other system and follow it with the the 555 in due course? You would just have to decide if you can live with a compromised second system (i.e. without the XPS) until the 555 arrives.

I of course may have misunderstood your set up.

Nigel - you understood my set up perfectly well.

The thing is - my NDX (the one that I am thinking of upgrading to NDS) has an FM / DAB module. My wife works from home a lot and she does listen to the radio. We even hava a dedicated FM / DAB aerial on the roof for that

So my dilema is not about the sequence as such.... 

I'm now testing NDX with 555PS. It does sound rather good, I must say. 

As to having a spare power supply - my dealer will let me keep his demo version untill the new 555PS arrives.

Ah - OK. 

Sounds like you and you friend have had great fun, Adam. I don't know the Gx300's but your conclusions on (1) and (2) sound right to me.

Mike 

Well done Adam.

I decided to upgrade my speakers, then spent 6 years upgrading everything else first, before finally finding the right speakers!

So, good for you. Enjoy!  FT

Looks like you have everything sorted, enjoy 

Ps sounds as if you've had a great day, I'm jealous 

It was, actually, a very good day. The most striking was the speaker conclusion - not that GX300 sounded good. But that Ovators S-400 didn't feel entirely comfortable in a large room (they are perfect in my music room). 

The music of choice for today was: The Pineapple Thief and Elbow. Strikingly well recorded and produced, with a lot of difficult bass. Adding SuperLumina sorted the bass instantly, irrespective of speakers chosen.

So all is well on the Eastern Front

Just thought I would share my experience @ Speaker Seminar last night! 

Msrp 15K Sabrina

Seminar A

David Wilson Audio, 100K New Alex

D agostino 55K mono blocks

 D agostino Pre/Transparent

Seminar B

David Wilson Audio, 15K New Sabrina 

8K Integrated 75 watt Amp

30K streaming front end

Well once again trickled down technologies passed down, from an uncompleted Wamm Speaker System. Same mid range drivers in the Alex & Sabrina.

In short, Seminar A powered by the 300 watt mono blocks, mind blowing. Would've loved to hear the 100K Speakers driven by the Statement.

In fairness 40K Vivid GT3's out-classed by the 100K Alex.

Naim Seminar I attended in December ( NDS / 2 x 555PS / Full Loom ) vs Seminar A

Now to the real world, Sabrina's sounded great, and this was from an 75 watt Integrated Amp!

I suspect your Dred front and rear end would have no problem driving them.

But you know the song and dance, home demo.

Speaking of home, fired up my 282 Tri Amped Briks,  no where near the Alex or Vivids, but appeared to be in the same arena with the Sabrina's.

Maybe worth putting on your list, if you haven't already done so!

Allante93!

My dear Allante93 - a bit of an unorthodox proposition. At least in terms of aesthetics

For now my dear wife's patience has been exhausted with the addition of 555PS and a new Rega RP10. Even a prospect of swapping my NDX to NDS is going to be a hard "battle". Need to restore some stability and maintain a 'change free' environment for a while.

So speakers will have to wait a little. But as I wrote in the opening post - given good sources they do sound much better, than their price tag might suggest.

Yeah, comes a time when a marriage takes priority over upgrades.

nigelb posted:

Yeah, comes a time when a marriage takes priority over upgrades.

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine a divorce could be a tad expensive 

Actually thinking about it, a divorce might be cheaper than the next couple of upgrades. Still, I can't afford both!

wenger2015 posted:

nigelb posted:

Yeah, comes a time when a marriage takes priority over upgrades.

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine a divorce could be a tad expensive 

I reckon mine cost me around £40k and a lot of heartache.  I would rather be where I am than where I was with a £40k system.  Of course I'd rather be here with a £40k system but that's not likely!

dayjay posted:

wenger2015 posted:

nigelb posted:

Yeah, comes a time when a marriage takes priority over upgrades.

I don't know for sure, but I would imagine a divorce could be a tad expensive 

I reckon mine cost me around £40k and a lot of heartache.  I would rather be where I am than where I was with a £40k system.  Of course I'd rather be here with a £40k system but that's not likely!

40k is probably worth every penny, for peace of mind.

A short update on a project... still no new speakers....

NDS has been installed several weeks ago and it's permanent 555PS arrived today. Needs to burn in... Also - rather than upgrading speakers, I decided to change my pre-amp. 252 was duly installed on a rack today.

Despite a new power supply things sound amazingly good already. 

Perhaps those humble Monitor Audio's are not so bad after all....

I thought the 252 had been categorized as somewhat refined not dull.

John Willmott posted:

I thought the 252 had been categorized as somewhat refined not dull.

post corrected. Those 'L's will be my undoing one day....

Adam Zielinski posted:

A short update on a project... still no new speakers....

NDS has been installed several weeks ago and it's permanent 555PS arrived today. Needs to burn in... Also - rather than upgrading speakers, I decided to change my pre-amp. 252 was dully installed on a rack today.

Despite a new power supply things sound amazingly good already. 

Perhaps those humble Monitor Audio's are not so bad after all....

Permanent 555PS, 252 installed....its going to sound superb.....and as you've mentioned good from the off.....congraulations ....now I know the Monitor Audios are great speakers......... But how about some Sopra2's .....just saying.... 

I came to realise, I would also have to change at least the centre speaker if I were to change the front speakers. 

But wait a sec.... Focal has just launched a Sopra centre speaker.... Lucky me

But how do I swing this past my CFO:

Me: Honey, you know those new speakers we bought 2 years ago

CFO: Oh, those beautiful Monitor Audio in piano black? They look so good in our living room and match the sofas so well, don't they?

Me: yes.... 

Any suggestions for how this conversation should unfold?

Adam Zielinski posted:

John Willmott posted:

I thought the 252 had been categorized as somewhat refined not dull.

post corrected. Those 'L's will be my undoing one day....

Sorry Adam .. it was a very cheap shot on my part .. 

Yes.....the Sopra2's are also in piano black....just say you left the Monitors in direct sunlight and they have ever so slightly changed shape.....

Adam, simple.

You : 'Darling, Focal have just launched a range of speakers in the very latest piano black - an even better match to the sofas.'

Then wait for a response from the CFO before saying anything else.