Speakers - change conundrum

This makes me wonder whether the amps need recapping and servicing, and whether the SBLs need retorquing. The system you have should be sounding wonderful. 

A friend of mine with SBLs has recently been going through similar thoughts and feelings about his speakers. He loves what they do well, but they can tend in the directions you mention. He will not part with them, but has just auditioned alternative speakers and decided on a pair of the more expensive new Focals.

If your old CB 250 has not been serviced for 10 years or more then your more immediate decision begins there, before any speakers are considered. The old 250 does not fade gracefully when it has 10 to 12 years on it - if goes decidedly dull and finally will make nasty buzzing to let you know it needs attention.

So audition alternative power amps, such as DR 250 or get your old 250 serviced first, as it will not be sensible to partner that with new speakers. You may also find you like the SBLs again.

DB.

Thanks for these comments. Sorry I neglected to add that I did have the Nac82, Supercap, Snaxo, and the Chrome bumper NAP 250 serviced early last summer. The Olive 250 is one I could have serviced, but if I go for a speaker that can't be driven actively e.g the Focal models I have mentioned only have one set of binding posts, I may try and upgrade to a single NAP 300 (funds permitting :-).  

My friend auditioned a 250DR vs 300DR into Focal Sopras and the 300DR was clearly superior as expected. The 250DR actually did very well indeed, but the 300DR was the smoother and more relaxed confident performer. Hard to compare Active vs Passive - I always prefer Active all else equal, but they are not when comparing 300DR against the old 250 models.

I auditioned the Focal 1008be's and thought they were very enjoyable; reminiscent of the Kans in some ways, imaging was much better (unsurprisingly) but I don't think they really matched the Kans for "boogie factor". But  I wouldn't make any judgements on speakers unless the amplification is beyond suspicion.

Darke Bear posted:

My friend auditioned a 250DR vs 300DR into Focal Sopras and the 300DR was clearly superior as expected. The 250DR actually did very well indeed, but the 300DR was the smoother and more relaxed confident performer. Hard to compare Active vs Passive - I always prefer Active all else equal, but they are not when comparing 300DR against the old 250 models.

that is quite reassuring as the 300 DR costs double the 250 DR. Now the 7000 GBP question is : is 300 DR twice as good as 250 DR?

Or better to put the 3500 GBP funds that are needed to go from 250DR to 300 DR into a source or preamp upgrade?

Thanks for the input. Yes, longer term I do need to look at a Nac52 and/or NAP300 but for the now the choice of Focals is foremost in my mind. Anyone heard the Micro Utopias and compared with the BE1008's?

That should be absolutely bonzer brilliant, something's wrong here. Setup? Decent racks, Naim right angle banana plugs at both ends of the Naca wires should be a given, but the chimney breast worries me even if it is shallow.

My SBLs disappear (with lower spec amps than yours) but similar, or same, sources. Do yours fail to disappear on both sources, or just one?

Chris

I would get a pair of...Mk1 Kans back for a while and reaquaint yourself with their qualities as a  stepping stone to the next move.

G

Hungryhalibut posted:

This makes me wonder whether the amps need recapping and servicing, and whether the SBLs need retorquing. The system you have should be sounding wonderful. 

My thoughts echo HH's comments - I had SBLs for a long time and found that they worked best with an Aro on my turntable whereas as the original Kans (which I still have) lost some energy with the Aro 

I have mk1 kans with mk11 stands  I set them up just last night for a few hours . They are excellent speakers and I have had them 30 years , the tweeters have just been replaced too so they are working as they should. I to use SBL`S and the kans cant get anywhere near them they are not in the same ball park. 3 of my friends were over too who all use kans as the main speaker and they were in awe with the SBL`S, so i would say something is not quite right.

And the upshot was?.....

C.

My system has been about where your is in the past.

A s/h pair of Sl2s would give you the things you love about SBLs (including placement) with the high volume harshness definitely solved and another level of quality and transparency. Definitely 'SBL plus' for me anyway. Lovely things, they also look great.

Not easy to find but I managed to get a pair recently. Top of your budget, but would fit seamlessly into your system.

You don't mention what PS you are using on your SNAXO. I found that switching Hcap to Scap here made a very big difference to my system a while back. Easy to demo. I found that every improvement I made along the chain over the years made my SBLs sound better and better but SL2s another level.

Bruce

Thanks to all for your input and comments. Please don't get me wrong it is not that my SBLs sound poor it's a matter of sometimes feeling that they are the weakest link in the system and getting a dose of 'upgradituss'. I recognise that I do not use the equipment optimunally as regards equipment racks (although the Xerxes has a dedicated isolation table) but have checked that all the equipment is healthy and correctly connected.  I have now been able to take a good listen to a pair of used Focal Micro Utopias and have been very impressed by the quality and detail of their upper frequency in particular and their speed. I have therefore taken the plunge and have a made a purchase having been given the all clear from my wife as regards tolerating their appearance (phew :-) . My plan is to ultimately sell the SBL's, my Snaxo & it's Hi Cap and the 250s and invest those funds in a 300 or maybe also sell the 82, buy a 52 and keep one 250 as the Focals evidently can't be bi-wired nor run actively. And there we have it another enjoyable conundrum to solve. I'm looking forward to it.  As always any advice/experience of the members on best way to proceed gratefully received.  Thank you.