Question on system balance

Posted by: billkenney on 15 December 2016

Looking for thoughts on system balance. Have a Nait 3/Flatcap 2 (both recently serviced by AV Options) powering Proac Super Tablettes. Listen to classical and jazz at low to modest volume in a 11 by 16 foot room. Sources include a Sony HAPZ1es (modified with a tubed output stage/power supply from Modwright Instruments), Rega P25/Dynavector 10X, CD5 and NAT 03. Question -- if I were to make only one tweek to the system, would it be to upgrade the Nait 3 or the Tablettes? If the Nait 3, I would stay with another integrated. If the Tablettes, I would want to stay with a speaker of comparable size (e.g., newer Tablettes, Harbeth P3ESR, etc). Or, if I were to make just one of those tweeks, do you think it would screw up the balance of what I have? Thank you. 

 

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by james n

I suppose the question is what is it about your system that you want to improve as that will guide your choice.

Saying that If you enjoy it, why change ?

James

 

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Bill - what exactly is wrong with your current system?

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by billkenney

I'm not sure there is anything wrong with it. I'm asking because both my Nait and Tablettes are around 25 years old, and I have no feel for whether either one has become a limitation. For example, I have no feel for whether the Tablettes would benefit from more power (in dynamic range moreso than loudness). Perhaps that's not an issue. Nor do I have any feel for whether the Super Tablettes are a significant step behind the current model in performance. But here again, that may not be an issue either. So I'm just trying to get a sense of the system balance given some of these unknowns. 

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by Brubacca

Maybe get the Nait serviced?  

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by Christopher_M

So.... Bill, you've been happy with it all for 25 years, and yet, and yet....

Here goes. Lots of people like Tablettes with Naim. I prefer them with Musical Fidelity and tube gear. So if you want to change, I'd have a look at the small Harbeths which I think may suit your system, room and tastes.

This all assumes that everything is properly supported on decent racking, good mains and use of Naca speaker wires. Oh and you need a new belt and new cartridge too for the Rega.

Cheers, Chris

Posted on: 15 December 2016 by billkenney

Thanks Christopher--Great feedback. Especially the "and yet, and yet part"! And your other comments as well. All useful. Happy Holidays!