What do you consider to be the keystone to your system?

My NAT 01- my most used source. I have a few favorite stations - one jazz, one classical, and one alternative pop (plays all kinds -Damien Rice, Lucinda Williams,etc).  My other source is CDS2.  All thru olive 52, 135s into my large Focal 1038be's. Listening to some 1960s Jazz  via my 01 even as I write this.  A great tuner.

david

Would have to be my NSats. Can't believe I found a pair and they make great music. Can't wait to see how they change as my system evolves. They are not going anywhere.

Hutch posted:

Keystone for my system would be my listening room

Good call there. A balanced room certainly evens the playing field for all else that enters.

A nice thread so far. It is enlightning to see what the different contributors regard as a part of their respective systems. When I think about my system, the speakers, electronics, cables and a rack spring to my mind. Room treatments should be a part of it as well. I do not see myself, the room, nor my records or files as part of the system. But, especially considering what others have written here, is obviously not the universal view of things.

Mulberry posted:

A nice thread so far. It is enlightning to see what the different contributors regard as a part of their respective systems. When I think about my system, the speakers, electronics, cables and a rack spring to my mind. Room treatments should be a part of it as well. I do not see myself, the room, nor my records or files as part of the system. But, especially considering what others have written here, is obviously not the universal view of things.

I guess I'm like you Mulberry.

Source

Pre Amp

Amp

Speakers

And of course, any add ons, that will improve your System.

30 years ago, racks & ICs would've not been  popular canadates, as part of a system.

But, one can go out and purchase a rack, and implement SL ICs, within their system.

Lps, Cds, and I guess streaming, kinda is necessary with the Source.

But the Room, well I guess one can buy treatments for a room, otherwise a new 30 year mortgage!

However, a refreshing post, where members aren't bashing each other upside the head, so far !!!

Allante93!

Tony2011 posted:

It has to be my record collection, if that counts. Everything is replaceable!

Agreed, I'd be lost without my vinyl collection, followed by my Aro and my Keel as they are not so easy to replace these days.

KR

Peter

Cymbiosis posted:

Tony2011 posted:

It has to be my record collection, if that counts. Everything is replaceable!

Agreed, I'd be lost without my vinyl collection, followed by my Aro and my Keel as they are not so easy to replace these days.

 

KR

Peter

The thing about a vinyl collection and TT is the sheer amount of investment - cash cost and other effort involved.  But wow it's worth it!

Nait 5.  As with the original Nait, it captures the very essence of Naim.  Everything above the Nait in the line provides more of it, but the Nait gives music life - whatever the source.

Kudos Titans 808, the new DBL to those ears. But very close and since this is a Naim Forum, 552. My good what a pre amp that is! It just changes the whole game. 

//Jonas

Even if i am a lucky owner of a NDS/555 DR i would say that i will keep the 252. This piece of kit made me love the Naim sound and re-discover music. In my upgrade story, it is only once i reached that piece that i became so satisfied.

Then Ovators of course, such a peculiar signature and finally NDS, one of the greatest streamer.

Cheers everybody ;-)

I couldn't agree more. I use my NDS and 555DR with a 252 with Ovator 600s driven by a 300DR. Stunning

For me it's the speakers that are the cornerstone of my system. No quibbles with source first philosophy (I also think my NDS is awesome!) but ultimately the signal generated by the electronics has to be converted into analogue sound waves and sent out into your listening space for you to perceive it as music.

In my experience Speakers make or break the magic spell in such a pivotal way that they are utmost. For me it's been various Shahinian models for almost 30years, but whichever brand is your choice is down to which ones conjure the music for you. 

My nDAC. Both for how it sound and also the impressive amount of engineering canned inside.

Bye.

Fraim and Power Line. Only things I wouldn't change.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Like IB above, I'd hang onto my speakers, because they are no longer made and I'd never find anything as good for the money. I sold a pair years ago and it took ages to locate another set. But the good thing is that the second set are a much nicer colour. 

I'm with the Big Fish, My Speakers. I thought they were  PMS, Professional Monitor Speakers vs DMS, Domestic Monitor Speakers. 

But a gentleman on the Forum pointed out that mine were neither, but the latest that Linn produced. Anyway I love them, and they were the Owners pair, with stuffed foam in the Base, the tweaks that put them at their best! I know some refer to them as The Barbaric's, but after all these years, I still love the Blend of this old school three way speaker! 

Allante93!

I love my Briks, too but I still believe that the source is what determines system character so long as speakers have a decent resolution.

I'd rather listen to my Naimed LP12 (with a cartridge of my choice + Mana)  without Briks ( but equally capable transducers such as an active ATC ) than other record player, say, an SL1200, driving the Briks as they would let me know something is missing.

Not many things these days, sound like a Naimed LP12. I like that colours so I'd like to keep it.

My 52 and CDS3 took my enjoyment of music to another level.  These in turn prompted me to make some new speakers and unless and until I win the Lottery I shall remain very content indeed with the overall sound that my system makes.

1. Speakers. Nothing impacts the overall SQ more imo.
2. Room
3. Source
4. Dac
5. Pre-amp section
6. Power section
7. cables

Dan.S posted:

1. Speakers. Nothing impacts the overall SQ more imo.
2. Room
3. Source

Having recently demo'd some alternative speakers in my room I'm inclined to agree with your ranking. After all, what could be more revealing of the source than revealing speakers? Other speakers in the mix have me now questioning the limits of my source.

Not sure if I'm still 'allowed' to post nowadays, since I'm just an old-school Olive man.  There's some pretty fancy (i.e. expensive) gear talked about here nowadays. But anyway here goes.

Many years ago, I decided to upgrade after a listening done at a Naim dealer in Sheffield (Rick and Andy at the old Sound With Style/Audio Images shop). I firstly listened to my, as then, current NAC42.5 and then to a NAC72. The difference......... well, you could have knocked me down with a wet kipper !!!  Enormous. Since then I have always believed the cornerstone of a systen and the part that makes the biggest improvement to the sound as you upgrade is the PRE-AMP. Just my opinion

My speakers, as barring a windfall from the lottery they are the last components I'd consider changing. They have been dialed in to my room and are pretty much permanent fixtures. Perhaps when my LP12 is sufficiently tricked out I might feel differently.

Another for LP12. Even more so from around 5pm today and had a listen with the new T kable fitted.

Bob the Builder posted:

My record collection,  I would part with all my Naim boxes before I parted with that and use any cheap TT based system I have enjoyed my records on every single system I have ever owned right from the Bush SRP that my brother and I had in our bedroom up until the LP12 I have today.

Agree totally. Went from Fidelity UA8 (I think) to LP12/Ekos/Troika/32.5/3x250/Naxo/Briks back to Rega PLanet CD/Manticore Mantra with Nait 2 and ELA's and back to LP12 etc... Whatever I had I always enjoyed my records.

But theoretically... LP12...No, Briks.... No, 282...No, 250DR....No, LP12....Errr

Wugged Woy posted:

Many years ago, I decided to upgrade after a listening done at a Naim dealer in Sheffield (Rick and Andy at the old Sound With Style/Audio Images shop). I firstly listened to my, as then, current NAC42.5 and then to a NAC72. The difference......... well, you could have knocked me down with a wet kipper !!!  Enormous. Since then I have always believed the cornerstone of a systen and the part that makes the biggest improvement to the sound as you upgrade is the PRE-AMP. Just my opinion

It has been my experience that when I take their preamp ( with their power supply, no aftermarket PS ) out of a system, there goes the Naim sound.

kuma posted:

It has been my experience that when I take their preamp ( with their power supply, no aftermarket PS ) out of a system, there goes the Naim sound.

Yes, that fits with my assessment: a Naim preamp introduces the sound shaping, so people wanting the Naim sound can actually use any source, taking advantage of the best, or best value, digital sources that may be available, yet still get the sound character they want. (Not surprising really, given that it works with non-Naim analog sources.)