System Pics 2017

The White Rega P3 has left de building to replace by a AT LP5 with direct drive. The precision and timing is spot on never heard that with a beltdrive TT. 

varyat posted:

Mr Fjeld posted:

Same old same old. The only new things are the records I keep buying. I'm content I suppose!

 

 

I really like how you have tucked the wall shelves out of the way...just a bit worried if that speaker has a rear port?

It has a down firing port, but I was a little worried myself. I imagine it would be better to move the record player away from the speaker but there isn't enough room. It works alright I guess.

feeling_zen posted:

Mr Fjeld posted:

Same old same old. The only new things are the records I keep buying. I'm content I suppose!

 

 

Is it just the perspective or you a tad closer to the speakers than you'd like? They seem twice as far apart from each other as to the listener but it is hard to tell in pics.

That is truly a lovely space to get away from it all.

Well spotted! I had to move the chair towards the speakers to get it in the picture. I used a 28mm lens but there was a table in the way and I didn't want to move it. Normal listening position is an approximate triangle. Thanks for the kind worlds

TOBYJUG posted:

Mr Fjeld posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mr Fjeld posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mr Fjeld posted:

Same old same old. The only new things are the records I keep buying. I'm content I suppose!

 

 

Nice room! But not so fast... you need an ottoman

I do!! 

I think Arne Jacobsen designed a matching one.... 

He did and I considered it for some time but realized it reduces the visual impact of the Egg to be a little "the retired man's comfy recliner!

To be honest I prefer Wing Chair by Hans Wegener as I have tendency to fall asleep and the Egg doesn't offer support for the neck.

An LC1 off the list then. Too much a young man's chair.

Oh, that's a timeless chair, but a rather cold one due to the single layer of leather, and perhaps not suitable for old men

CB vintage system is finally going. I collected the 250 last Monday from a private seller in Milan. it's a 1982 unit with old type power sockets. Conditions are pretty good bar a couple of minor marks

Next week i' ll carry to LASA for a major service so i temporarily left the XS in situ.

Meanwhile i also have this on arrival from a UK CB specialist, a 1988 NAc 62 with N phono carts, since with 42.5 i'm a little short of Din inputs and it's fitted with S carts

Regards

Roberto

Looking good Roberto. 1982 was a bit of a watershed year for the NAP250 as it's when Naim's own NA001 transistors appeared to replace the original BDY58s.

My own CB NAP250 from '85 has just returned from a full service at the factory and I have yet to plug it in.  A NAP160 has been doing sterling service in its stead.  The 160 was serviced a couple of years back so is in good fettle.  It will be interesting to hear what the newly refreshed 250 brings in its place.

Roberto, nice Persian rugs. Is my assumption correct that the value of them is higher than many of the Naim boxes you have there?

Hi Richard,

I gave it a cold start yesterday evening for the first time, using the CD5X like source.  42 and HC were recently serviced by Lasa, the latter is now fitted with new generation LM 317K.

General impression is pretty good, probably a  sweeter sound than XS with a hint of bloated bass perhaps. It's a good and relaxing presention after all, having already ultimate dynamics, clearity and as a matter of factness with the  500 system, 

Regards

Roberto

Thanks Roberto. When I bought my own CB 250 secondhand it had last had a service at the factory about 8 years previously.  It sounded pretty good at first but I soon realised that something was a bit off with it.  I lived with it for a while but then also realised that it was a bit soft, flat and that there was a faint sense of imbalance of sound between each channel.  I realise now that the 8-10 year service interval is pretty much set in stone for these earlier regulated amps.  Thanks to their regulated design they don't drift gently off spec with age - things go off pretty fast compared to their unregulated brethren.  By comparison I have a NAP110 that is original but still sounds really good.  I recall a discussion some years back with someone in the Naim service department regarding the NAP110 - supposedly the small blue caps used in these sometimes still measured well even after many years.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Roberto, nice Persian rugs. Is my assumption correct that the value of them is higher than many of the Naim boxes you have there?

Hi thank you for the comment, unfortunately these are little value, (barely a  series 5 box )

it's much more so this one, more  style in the 500 room

or this one in the living

Regards

Roberto

Richard, if you mean the twin supply blue caps they look grat too.

Regards

Roberto

rsch posted:

 

Regards

Roberto

Still great looking kit. 

james n posted:

rsch posted:

 

Regards

Roberto

Still great looking kit. 

Couldn't agree more James.  I might have to prise a certain 42.5 away from Tibbs Jnr one of these days as along with my NAP110 and CB Hi-Cap just look so right with Chrome Gale 401s. That wee 110 can really drive the 401s wonderfully well into the bargain

Mr Tibbs

The magic within ...

Mr Tibbs

With extra FlatCap XS this year

Mr.Tibbs posted:

The magic within ...

Mr Tibbs

  Indeed ! CB kits when found in nice/nearly mint condition are still huge value and fun. In my opinion they represent a perfect solution for a second or third system (like i did) I see this like a  counterpart of the classic automotive world (for pretty much everyone pocket) Imagine to own a Mc Laren or Ferrari for normal use and a classic Alfa, Lotus or Jag for the weekend.

At this stage it would be great if  Naim was to offer a total restoration servce (new fascias, case refurbishment) like automotive companies do (Ferrari Classiche dept,  Lamborghini etc)

Regards

Roberto

Roberto, Naim have offered new fascias for all their old kit for as long as they could be replenished or until end of life spares purchases were exhausted. I believe that some fascias are still available.  About 10 years ago when I was working at the factory, whenever I took anyone on a tour I would make a point of going through the main stores and showing guests some the older spares - such as all the NOS NAC12 fascias. 

As for the cases, I'd imagine that restoration by some automotive restorer is possible, but probably rather expensive to be an economically viable proposition.  Then again, with original NAIT and NAIT 2 prices these days, maybe not...

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the info, mine are pretty fine, my 250 still got the aluminium one. The 62/140 i 'll get soon are pretty much mint condition. But it would be nice for whover need it to replinish these parts,  after all as you pointed out with the value of first generation Naits rose so much that  it may be financially viable.

i have a doubt whether maintain original Din sockets  flush with rear panel, or change these with new generation one which allow to fit properly new Snaics. For the originality of the item, it would be better to stick with the original, however at  LASA  adviced me to change them, even if at the end  42.5/HC were left untouched since still in good condition.

Regards

Roberto

Kacper posted:

With extra FlatCap XS this year

Nice - are those Audiovector speakers ?

james n posted:

Kacper posted:

With extra FlatCap XS this year

Nice - are those Audiovector speakers ?

Thanks! Yes indeed. Ki3 Signature

Richard Dane posted:

Roberto, Naim have offered new fascias for all their old kit for as long as they could be replenished or until end of life spares purchases were exhausted. I believe that some fascias are still available.  About 10 years ago when I was working at the factory, whenever I took anyone on a tour I would make a point of going through the main stores and showing guests some the older spares - such as all the NOS NAC12 fascias. 

As for the cases, I'd imagine that restoration by some automotive restorer is possible, but probably rather expensive to be an economically viable proposition.  Then again, with original NAIT and NAIT 2 prices these days, maybe not...

Somehow this brought to mind the idea of classic Naim in "oily rag" condition.

rsch posted:

I have a doubt whether maintain original Din sockets  flush with rear panel, or change these with new generation one which allow to fit properly new Snaics. For the originality of the item, it would be better to stick with the original, however at  LASA  adviced me to change them, even if at the end  42.5/HC were left untouched since still in good condition.

 

Roberto,

why not leave the older units as they are? This could help retaining their originality and your 'ease of approach'. I find CB gear with new 'locking' DIN sockets looking a little unnatural. They sounded ok as they were 30 years ago, didn't they? 

M

Kacper posted:

james n posted:

Kacper posted:

With extra FlatCap XS this year

Nice - are those Audiovector speakers ?

Thanks! Yes indeed. Ki3 Signature

And how do you find the speakers?

Massimo Bertola posted:

rsch posted:

I have a doubt whether maintain original Din sockets  flush with rear panel, or change these with new generation one which allow to fit properly new Snaics. For the originality of the item, it would be better to stick with the original, however at  LASA  adviced me to change them, even if at the end  42.5/HC were left untouched since still in good condition.

 

Roberto,

why not leave the older units as they are? This could help retaining their originality and your 'ease of approach'. I find CB gear with new 'locking' DIN sockets looking a little unnatural. They sounded ok as they were 30 years ago, didn't they? 

M

Hi Massimo,

Yep, like classic cars, they should be left as original as possible

Regards

Roberto

sjw posted:

Kacper posted:

james n posted:

Kacper posted:

With extra FlatCap XS this year

Nice - are those Audiovector speakers ?

Thanks! Yes indeed. Ki3 Signature

And how do you find the speakers?

They are really nice open, with the FlatCap XS even more powerful, more detailed. I think audiovector and naim match each other perfectly. But now I would rather try Si3 Signature