DR or not DR...

Believe the recommendation for Black series is recapping at 12 years....? Not sure DR'ing can be done or is worthwhile without re-capping....?

I'd get it serviced at the same time (which means the caps will be changed) if you get the DR upgrade. You might want to listen to what a DR'd XPS does to a CDX2 before going that route though....

I'm currently using a CDX2 without an XPS. I'd be interested in what differences in sound are between adding a DR or non DR XPS. 

Finkfan posted:

I'm currently using a CDX2 without an XPS. I'd be interested in what differences in sound are between adding a DR or non DR XPS. 

I would be, too! 

I mean, I expeienced the XPS2 but not the XPS DR with CDX2.

regards,

Stefano

james n posted:

I'd get it serviced at the same time (which means the caps will be changed) if you get the DR upgrade. You might want to listen to what a DR'd XPS does to a CDX2 before going that route though....

Yes, of course the DR-ing goes together with the recapping. 

Rgds,

Stefano

essezeta posted:

Finkfan posted:

I'm currently using a CDX2 without an XPS. I'd be interested in what differences in sound are between adding a DR or non DR XPS. 

I would be, too! 

I mean, I expeienced the XPS2 but not the XPS DR with CDX2.

regards,

Stefano

I've to heard a non DR XPS, but I have heard what an XPSDR does to the CDX2 and it's stunning [@mention:29584101127592737]. It really sounds big, bold, but also very smooth. Almost vinyl like, with a bigger soundstage. It really does improve on an already brilliant CD player. I'm sure there are plenty of forum members who've DR'd an XPS so will wait to hear the differences they heard after the upgrade. 

essezeta posted:

I'm a satisfied owner of a SN2 + HCDR and a CDX2 + XPS2 driving a pair of Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand SE. 

The XPS2 is now about 10 years old and, as somebody told me, it probabily doesn't require an immediate recapping, yet (and from my side I could easily check its full operation disconnecting it from CDX2) . On the contrary the DR upgrade would be recomended and truly apreciated.

Now, I know from my own experience that every time I upgraded external PSUs in my Naim system I really noticed improvements in sound; but this time I wonder if "only" DR-ing the XPS2 would bring anyway to a worthy achievement.

Thanks all in advance,

Stefano

Well essezeta, I think you have all the answers, and for the most part, The Forum would suggest, it's not worth while getting The XPS DRed, without recapping. Not to mention the resale value, if you decide to get out of the game, or upgrade! 

And from your side, when, or if, you disconnect the XPS2, from your Cdx2......

Please let me know, what you think, That is my next upgrade, would like to get your thoughts! Cdx2/HCDR/Briks 

But you got my attention with those speakers, I have the older version. How is the performance, as it relates to power (SN2) !!! 

Presently, I'm driving mine with Arcam mono Blocks, when I had them playing via Oppo BD 95, I think! it was kick but! 

Primare Pre 30/ Arcam Mono Blocks/ Baby Grands. 

How is your low end performing ? 

The two six inch woofer really seems to put out!  If the improvement on the tweeter is anything similar to the older  version, I would imagine you have a nice sounding system! 

Enjoy! your Music, the Why!

Thanks In Advance! 

Allante93! 

There are also plenty of forummembers who have replaced their XPS by a second hand 555 non-DR and are very satisfied.

Ardbeg10y posted:

There are also plenty of forummembers who have replaced their XPS by a second hand 555 non-DR and are very satisfied.

I was thinking the same thing! 

Allante93 posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

There are also plenty of forummembers who have replaced their XPS by a second hand 555 non-DR and are very satisfied.

I was thinking the same thing! 

I'm one of those - very happpppyyyy with that change. 

What does the 555 bring to the party Adam? 

I used to have CDXII mk2 and adding 555PS non-DR was absolutely a big step. Once you're at 555 level you've reach the best!

I did that years back with my CDX2 at my dealer's suggestion saying the 555 was always going to be top power working on everything. I sold the CDP and now have it on NDX5, really umphs (technical term) it to more powerful sound.

Thanks guys, just wanted to make sure, I was on the right track!

Well, OP, you might have other options to consider! 

Put the 10 year old XPS2 on the market, Sport the Cdx2 on its own, until you run in to a pre loved 555PS non Dr. 

Then down the road, get it recapped & Dred! 

Just my thoughts, I don't know

Allante93!

If you recap and not upgrade to DR you can use Class A, which is quite a bit cheaper than the standard Naim service and fully supported and recognized / certified etc ... by Naim.

essezeta posted:

I'm a satisfied owner of a SN2 + HCDR and a CDX2 + XPS2 driving a pair of Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand SE. 

The XPS2 is now about 10 years old and, as somebody told me, it probabily doesn't require an immediate recapping, yet (and from my side I could easily check its full operation disconnecting it from CDX2) . On the contrary the DR upgrade would be recomended and truly apreciated.

Now, I know from my own experience that every time I upgraded external PSUs in my Naim system I really noticed improvements in sound; but this time I wonder if "only" DR-ing the XPS2 would bring anyway to a worthy achievement.

Thanks all in advance,

Stefano

Not so sure about that. I've just had my 2008 Supercap DR'd and serviced and it had leaky caps.

Tim

As I recall with my DR upgrade you basically end up with most of the internals replaced barring the transformer! I liked what I heard but have since moved to a new 555 DR as it made more sense with my NDS - dealer also to blame with a generous PX 

Finkfan posted:

What does the 555 bring to the party Adam? 

I would say - all the things you'd expect an XPS to do but somehow you feel disapointed it didn't. 

If anyone is interested the following link is a Good Read:

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blo...r-supplies-are-noisy

""SIZE MATTERS

When transformers are physically small, there are more options for magnetic shielding. For example, the small transformers used in the AHB2 are completely encased in a ferrite material which helps to contain stray magnetics. These techniques are so effective that the AHB2 achieves a SNR of 130 to 135 dB. No power amplifier is quieter than the AHB2. Even more amazing is the fact that the switching power supply board is less than an inch above the amplifier board. This product proves that switching power supplies can be very quiet! The AHB2 could not achieve this level of performance with a linear supply unless the supply were housed in a completely separate box a couple of feet away.""

NAP 300 & NAP 500

Is Bigger always Better, the 555PS's Transformer is larger than the XPS2, and was wondering, would this result in more of the dreaded Hum! 

LINEAR POWER SUPPLIES CAUSE HUM
HUM IS USUALLY CAUSED BY MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE
POWER AMPLIFIERS ARE THE WORST OFFENDERS

""The power supplies in high power devices, such as audio power amplifiers, can emit very strong magnetic fields. These strong fields tend to limit the noise performance (SNR) of power amplifiers. These magnetic fields can also cause interference with audio products that happen to be too near the amplifier. Audio cables that enter, exit, or pass near the amplifier may also pick up unwanted hum and buzz. For this reason, it is usually very important to keep the power amplifier well separated from cables and other components in the audio system.

THE ADVANTAGES OF REGULATION

Most traditional power amplifiers have unregulated linear power supplies(NAP 200). Regulation is omitted in order to save power and reduce heat. The negative consequence of this is that the power rails sag with every musical peak. In traditional designs, large banks of capacitors are connected to the voltage rails in order to reduce this voltage sag to manageable levels. Nevertheless it is common to see a significant increase in distortion (THD) when these traditional amplifiers are heavily loaded.""

Does this argument apply to PS? XPS2/555PS

No Wonder We Like Naim, it appears, they are on point!!!  DR or not DR...?????

Allante93!

Allante93 posted:

 

but you got my attention with those speakers, I have the older version. How is the performance, as it relates to power (SN2) !!! 

Presently, I'm driving mine with Arcam mono Blocks, when I had them playing via Oppo BD 95, I think! it was kick but! 

Primare Pre 30/ Arcam Mono Blocks/ Baby Grands. 

How is your low end performing ? 

The two six inch woofer really seems to put out!  If the improvement on the tweeter is anything similar to the older  version, I would imagine you have a nice sounding system! 

Enjoy! your Music, the Why!

Thanks In Advance! 

Allante93! 

I had the older version, too, then I changed into SE one. The SN2 had no problem in driving both the previous non-SE and now the SE. Before buying the Baby SE I was tempted to upgrade to the Grand SE, the ones with thee wofers instead of two, but I was advised that probabily they required more watts to be driven correctly. 

The Baby SE have the same cabinet of the older version but a different tweeter, a new crossover and last but not least bigger and firmer spikes. These spikes make difference in low frequencies reproduction, revealing a slightly deeper and tight bass. Anyway, the first impression I had was of a different and better disposal of instruments, a better focalization of voices so that the singers seemed to be a little bit taller than before (probabily the new tweeter makes it own job...).

My two cents.

Regards,

Stefano

Allante93 posted:

Well, OP, you might have other options to consider! 

Put the 10 year old XPS2 on the market, Sport the Cdx2 on its own, until you run in to a pre loved 555PS non Dr. 

Then down the road, get it recapped & Dred! 

Just my thoughts, I don't know

Allante93!

Of course that would be an option, too, probabily the "first best" option! At the same time I could make the first step recapping and DR-ing the XPS2, then in few years put the XPS DR on the market and run into a 555PS DR or not.

Regards,

Stefano

essezeta posted:

Allante93 posted:

Well, OP, you might have other options to consider! 

Put the 10 year old XPS2 on the market, Sport the Cdx2 on its own, until you run in to a pre loved 555PS non Dr. 

Then down the road, get it recapped & Dred! 

Just my thoughts, I don't know

Allante93!

Of course that would be an option, too, probabily the "first best" option! At the same time I could make the first step recapping and DR-ing the XPS2, then in few years put the XPS DR on the market and run into a 555PS DR or not.

Regards,

Stefano

 

 

The nice thing is that whatever you do, it is good!          (minor detail: ... and costs some money)

tjbnz posted:

essezeta posted:

I'm a satisfied owner of a SN2 + HCDR and a CDX2 + XPS2 driving a pair of Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand SE. 

The XPS2 is now about 10 years old and, as somebody told me, it probabily doesn't require an immediate recapping, yet (and from my side I could easily check its full operation disconnecting it from CDX2) . On the contrary the DR upgrade would be recomended and truly apreciated.

Now, I know from my own experience that every time I upgraded external PSUs in my Naim system I really noticed improvements in sound; but this time I wonder if "only" DR-ing the XPS2 would bring anyway to a worthy achievement.

Thanks all in advance,

Stefano

Not so sure about that. I've just had my 2008 Supercap DR'd and serviced and it had leaky caps.

Tim

Thank you, Tim.

Just one question: did you have some advices your Supercap needed to be recapped or was only your choice to have it DR'd? 

Regards,

Stefano

essezeta posted:

tjbnz posted:

essezeta posted:

I'm a satisfied owner of a SN2 + HCDR and a CDX2 + XPS2 driving a pair of Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand SE. 

The XPS2 is now about 10 years old and, as somebody told me, it probabily doesn't require an immediate recapping, yet (and from my side I could easily check its full operation disconnecting it from CDX2) . On the contrary the DR upgrade would be recomended and truly apreciated.

Now, I know from my own experience that every time I upgraded external PSUs in my Naim system I really noticed improvements in sound; but this time I wonder if "only" DR-ing the XPS2 would bring anyway to a worthy achievement.

Thanks all in advance,

Stefano

Not so sure about that. I've just had my 2008 Supercap DR'd and serviced and it had leaky caps.

Tim

Thank you, Tim.

Just one question: did you have some advices your Supercap needed to be recapped or was only your choice to have it DR'd? 

Regards,

Stefano

Hi Stefano.

I decided to have it DR'd. I don't know to what extent the DR process replaces capacitors so I just asked that everything be serviced at the same time. I'm very glad I did.

Tim

tjbnz posted:

essezeta posted:

tjbnz posted:

essezeta posted:

I'm a satisfied owner of a SN2 + HCDR and a CDX2 + XPS2 driving a pair of Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand SE. 

The XPS2 is now about 10 years old and, as somebody told me, it probabily doesn't require an immediate recapping, yet (and from my side I could easily check its full operation disconnecting it from CDX2) . On the contrary the DR upgrade would be recomended and truly apreciated.

Now, I know from my own experience that every time I upgraded external PSUs in my Naim system I really noticed improvements in sound; but this time I wonder if "only" DR-ing the XPS2 would bring anyway to a worthy achievement.

Thanks all in advance,

Stefano

Not so sure about that. I've just had my 2008 Supercap DR'd and serviced and it had leaky caps.

Tim

Thank you, Tim.

Just one question: did you have some advices your Supercap needed to be recapped or was only your choice to have it DR'd? 

Regards,

Stefano

Hi Stefano.

I decided to have it DR'd. I don't know to what extent the DR process replaces capacitors so I just asked that everything be serviced at the same time. I'm very glad I did.

Tim

Thank you Tim.

I confirm that DR process provides recapping, too.

Regards,

Stefano