Credos to Allaes to SL2s?

Hmm. I've never heard the Credo, but did try Allaes once, which I thought were ok, but not as good as SBLs. The Allae is of course an improved Credo. The SL2 is an improved SBL and is significantly better than the SBL and even more so when you consider the Allae. With your system, the SL2 is the ideal, but as you say they are hard to find. The second best would be the SBL rather than the Allae, but the Allae is far easier to set up, and looks prettier. 

Gavin, stick with the Credos for a bit, no point moving on so quickly.  The Allae was originally to be called the Super-Credo, so that gives you some idea of what to expect.  In my opinion, the Allae is quite a step up from the Credo, albeit similar in overall character.  I like Allaes very much - they are never anything less than highly involving and entertaining.

I have some Credo's too, and I've never had that "naim" sound to them.  The separation and the "live" music feeling.  Maybe I need to put them close to the wall.  I've always thought that they needed to have room around them.

KenRose posted:

I have some Credo's too, and I've never had that "naim" sound to them.  The separation and the "live" music feeling.  Maybe I need to put them close to the wall.  I've always thought that they needed to have room around them.

Put them close to the wall!!

i have credos too. Very good VFM. Think my Olive's system has just grown out of them and I'm gunning for some sbl's or sl2. Can't see any S series Naim speaker hanging off the 135's.....ever.

The credos seem to relay the note very well, so you get a highly  addictive taste,  but they do lack the refinement of sbl's more over the SL2's. I can see why Richard suggested to hold on to them for a while. I've gone from zero to Big olives with credo's, in my mind that say's a lot.

Gavin,

my direct experience: I have heard the Allae in a store with 202/200, in another with CD555/555PS/Supernait, at home with my then Naim system which I fail to recollect, at a guy's home with a big tube amp. Each and every time I noticed a very audible bump in the upper mid, characterising the voicing and making the listening, in my opinion, quite a matter of love it or hate it. They projected the sound out of the boxes noticeably, but there was a toll in listening fatigue in my opinion. I mention this because if the thing was heard four times, in four different environments, it cannot be just my ears.

As for the Credo, heard at a guy's place with Supernait, at my home with perhaps 112/150, at a friend's with his system (Albarry MO40 mono blocks) and always found them very pleasant, balanced, lively and listenable. I know that in Naim world the upper the better, it's a sort of automatic mechanism, but I'd stick with the Credos. Move from them when you have a much more significant goal, such as SL2s or SBLs.

Best

Max

Massimo Bertola posted:

Gavin,

my direct experience: I have heard the Allae in a store with 202/200, in another with CD555/555PS/Supernait, at home with my then Naim system which I fail to recollect, at a guy's home with a big tube amp. Each and every time I noticed a very audible bump in the upper mid, characterising the voicing and making the listening, in my opinion, quite a matter of love it or hate it. They projected the sound out of the boxes noticeably, but there was a toll in listening fatigue in my opinion. I mention this because if the thing was heard four times, in four different environments, it cannot be just my ears.

As for the Credo, heard at a guy's place with Supernait, at my home with perhaps 112/150, at a friend's with his system (Albarry MO40 mono blocks) and always found them very pleasant, balanced, lively and listenable. I know that in Naim world the upper the better, it's a sort of automatic mechanism, but I'd stick with the Credos. Move from them when you have a much more significant goal, such as SL2s or SBLs.

Best

Max

Lovely post max 5 stars

Thanks, everyone, for your input. As quite a few have said, I suspect I'll stick with the Credos for now, and enjoy what I'm hearing.

Hi Gavin,

I' d stick with the Credo until you find a decent pair of SL2s.

Regards

Roberto

You have yourself an amazing bargain there, enjoy!

I don't know what it is about the Credo but to my mind and ears they are so addictive, not perfect by a long shot but addictive (in all guises) , this sums them up for me.

Naim speakers are very good at being enjoyable. The sound doesn't need to be perfect. 

I'm a long time Credo owner, and I still listen with a smile on my face. 

Sounsfaber posted:

KenRose posted:

I have some Credo's too, and I've never had that "naim" sound to them.  The separation and the "live" music feeling.  Maybe I need to put them close to the wall.  I've always thought that they needed to have room around them.

Put them close to the wall!!

i have credos too. Very good VFM. Think my Olive's system has just grown out of them and I'm gunning for some sbl's or sl2. Can't see any S series Naim speaker hanging off the 135's.....ever.

The credos seem to relay the note very well, so you get a highly  addictive taste,  but they do lack the refinement of sbl's more over the SL2's. I can see why Richard suggested to hold on to them for a while. I've gone from zero to Big olives with credo's, in my mind that say's a lot.

 

How close to the wall guys?  I have mine slightly toed in right now about 14cm from the wall.

I have the top, back edge of the speakers 9cm from a solid brick wall with no toe-in.

No toe in. If Wooden sprung floor try screws in floor and credos on top of them but level ( important)

Minima height off carpet. 

Big bonus, hang the cross overs off the wires.

I  have the credos about 7 inches from the back wall. But you should play with that In your room.

Everything just goes so fluffy and you think naim olive era is just so good so why bother

enjoy.

I have both Credos and SL2s. The Credos are used in a smaller Naim system and are thoroughly enjoyable. The SL2s are used with my main system based on 500 series components. The SL2s are the ones you should aim for. They are superb, with exceptional clarity (I had SBLs previously)  and I would never contemplate selling them. Had a real job finding a pair, but eventually a pair came up on that famous auction site... a bit overpriced.. but I couldn't resist. So glad I got them!

Went from Arivas to Allaes, great upgrade. Tried SBL's and didn't like them, the Allaes took some messing around with but once I found the "sweet spot" they are amazing.

Nick