new vs old

Posted by: tef on 27 May 2017

I've been contemplating an amplification upgrade. I now happily own a Nait XS with Flatcap2x. Especially since acquiring a CDS3 I've been thinking about upgrading to get the most out of the CDS3. I have been thinking about a Supernait 2 which gets some great reviews here and there, but also some critical remarks about harshness and being too much in your face. So now I was reading up on older Olive amps and would also like to try a NAC52/Supercap combo, they're pretty cheap compared to newer Naim stuff. A friend of mine has an olive NAP250 that I could probably get to complete this Olive-fest! In total I would be paying less for these three (!) boxes as I would for the SN2. However I would go to a mixed-fascia system (which I don't care much about) and I would worry that I may loose some coherency/balance in my system?? On the other hand some may argue that I gain balance adding the olives to the CDS3...?? 

BTW: Are the Olive series components still being serviced by Naim?

Any opinions here??

Posted on: 29 May 2017 by Allante93
Foot tapper posted:

Hi TEF,

both the 52 and especially the Supercap will need a service.

[As a 2000 model, the 52 may already be POTS 7 or 8, so not require a change.]

Once serviced, the pre-amp will better the pre-amp section of the SN2 in every important musical respect, by a long way.  This is to be expected, as its modern day equivalent must cost about 10 times as much as the pre-amp section of a SN2.

Hope this helps, FT

Thanks Foot Tapper.

Researched the Forum:

" RON TOOLSIEMEMBER

I had the POTS upgrade done years ago to the 52. It came back sounding cleaner, more liquid and less colored- well worth the while and expense. A few years later I compared it with an early sample of a 552, where it was beaten, but certainly not disgraced. A POT-8 52 may be the last preamp that you will ever need."
Just to be clear, are you saying that Naim, had incorporated the change by 2000, thus no need for an upgrade, just the likes of recapping? 
Service period of roughly 10 years for Amps, and 15 years for Pre Amp.
Depending on use and, environment, but as always let your ears, be the determining factor!
 
Am I on point?
 
Allante93!
PS. Two Questions, I think!LOL....
Posted on: 29 May 2017 by Eoink
Allante93 posted:
Foot tapper posted:

[SNIP]

 

Just to be clear, are you saying that Naim, had incorporated the change by 2000, thus no need for an upgrade, just the likes of recapping? 
Service period of roughly 10 years for Amps, and 15 years for Pre Amp.
Depending on use and, environment, but as always let your ears, be the determining factor!
 
Am I on point?
 
Allante93!
PS. Two Questions, I think!LOL....

Yes to the POTS question, in the Frequently Asked Questions section is a thread (on the scone page of that section) listing the significant upgrades to the 52, POTS8 predates 2000 by quite a long time.

Posted on: 29 May 2017 by b_lund
tef posted:

Sorry there was a typo in one of my previous posts, I meant to ask about the difference between NAC 52 (not 82) and SN2.

Its like day and night based on my experience which was not a direct compare mind you.

A fresh 52/SC/250 is quite a lot better than a SN2 imo, - organic, fuller and involving, better timbres and providing instruments and voices more natural sounding and free flowing from speakers. SN may be more tight, fast but thinner, if you hunt soundstage the black boxes often present this better admittedly, both combos are powerfull, more so than XS, no surprice.

An entirely different presentation will allways divide opinions

Your source should deliver for your decision

As told earlier, some users do like XS/FC or XS more than SN2

Others prefer SN2 against older style Olive stuff and many like the classic Nait more than anything else, so its horses for...

You really must try for yourself to realise if your room and speakers benefit

I do know this is not allways easy to maintain

 

Posted on: 29 May 2017 by tef

Seller din't want to send pic's and video because the units were "already packed and ready for transport". This screams out "STAY AWAY" in my book! The guy I bought my CDS3 from was super patient sending me pics, video's and everything, because he understood that doing business from a distance can be tricky. I was pretty confident buying from him, and I got my CDP in great condition. 

Thanks all for your replies. I think Im gonna try to get a demo of the SN2 to see what it brings to the table in my system/room. It's always hard what to expect. I have great sound already, but maybe it can still be better?? Maybe the SN2-XS fC difference is not so big....? Maybe I should do a recap of my existing units? Is there a way to add some "DR"to my system?

Posted on: 29 May 2017 by bluedog
tef posted:

Seller din't want to send pic's and video because the units were "already packed and ready for transport". This screams out "STAY AWAY" in my book! The guy I bought my CDS3 from was super patient sending me pics, video's and everything, because he understood that doing business from a distance can be tricky. I was pretty confident buying from him, and I got my CDP in great condition. 

Thanks all for your replies. I think Im gonna try to get a demo of the SN2 to see what it brings to the table in my system/room. It's always hard what to expect. I have great sound already, but maybe it can still be better?? Maybe the SN2-XS fC difference is not so big....? Maybe I should do a recap of my existing units? Is there a way to add some "DR"to my system?

Very wise.  When I was looking for a 52 a couple of years ago there was a scammer regularly advertising on Craigslist - claiming he was based in the Hebrides (though his bank account was in Leicester).  You need your wits about you when buying privately.

Posted on: 29 May 2017 by tef

So I know Flatcap cannot be DR'd. Does anyone have experience with a Hicap Dr with the NaitXS? And is the Flatcap the only "Cap" that can power two units?

Posted on: 30 May 2017 by Hal

I have XS2 with HcDR. I preferred it over FcXS on Nait. However, Fc is very good addition to CD5XS.

Posted on: 30 May 2017 by nicnaim

Tef,

With regards to the different fascias, I have a Chrome Bumper 250, with an Olive 52/SuperCap hooked up to my CDS3/555PS.  I tend to be listening to the music rather than looking at the boxes to be honest, although I also have components from other manufacturers as well so hardly a coherent look overall.  Sounds great though and that is all that matters in the end to me.

Regards Nic

Posted on: 30 May 2017 by rainsoothe

Hi. I don't think the SN2 is harsh by any means - SN1 could be, at times, and so is the XS2. Might be too clean sounding for some (as it did for me)