Upgrading steps

Andres Herrera posted:

I have been enjoying my system very much and have been making small steps upgrading. I was wondering what people think of what I am thinking. 

 

Current setup

SN2, Focal Aria 936, NACa5, CD5si, Nd5sx, rega rp3, stage line. 

I use all different sources pretty evenly. Was thinking adding a Hugo 2qute, or changing the Nd5sx for an NDX. And another option was changing the CD5si for a used Cdx2. 

Though I wish I could make huge steps at a time I can't afford them.

Though I enjoy my system I would like a little more jazz club live performance sound. I don't know how to describe it otherwise. I mainly listen to Jazz, Classical, 80's, and Latin. 

 

Thanks for your comments 

there is a lot of possibilities, and chord and naim have not the same sound.....One possibility is to take an ndx, it can replace easily your nd5x and cd5i, and will be in the class of the cdx2.

You can rip also your cds . put them on a nas and stream them with the ndx.  Or buy a uniticore / ndac combo also....or uniticore / chord hugo too.... 

Go and listen first at dealers place, your ears are the better choice.

Keler Pierre posted:

Andres Herrera posted:

I have been enjoying my system very much and have been making small steps upgrading. I was wondering what people think of what I am thinking. 

 

Current setup

SN2, Focal Aria 936, NACa5, CD5si, Nd5sx, rega rp3, stage line. 

I use all different sources pretty evenly. Was thinking adding a Hugo 2qute, or changing the Nd5sx for an NDX. And another option was changing the CD5si for a used Cdx2. 

Though I wish I could make huge steps at a time I can't afford them.

Though I enjoy my system I would like a little more jazz club live performance sound. I don't know how to describe it otherwise. I mainly listen to Jazz, Classical, 80's, and Latin. 

 

Thanks for your comments 

there is a lot of possibilities, and chord and naim have not the same sound.....One possibility is to take an ndx, it can replace easily your nd5x and cd5i, and will be in the class of the cdx2.

You can rip also your cds . put them on a nas and stream them with the ndx.  Or buy a uniticore / ndac combo also....or uniticore / chord hugo too.... 

Go and listen first at dealers place, your ears are the better choice.

Thank you for your advice, the issue is that my dealer doesn't maintain stock, I have had to build my system on my own. The advise you all give me really helps! 

Andres

Andres Herrera posted:

Was thinking adding a Hugo 2qute, or changing the Nd5sx for an NDX. . 

It seems to be an overall concensus on this forum is that Hugo sounds better than 2Qute, and Hugo is a popular upgrade for both ND5XS and NDX.

Of course, best advice once you have settled on the most likely options is to audition before buying, if possible - though we don't all have that option and some of us have bought things without hearing first (as I did with Hugo, adding it to ND5XS, and did not regret it for an instant, unlike the XP5XS that I had added before doing that).

NDX is huge improvement vs ND5 with SN2. Unfortunately the DAC in the NDX isn't great so if it were my $, I'd keep the ND5 and buy the best DAC at my price point

All of the sources seem a little weak in comparison with the amplifier. Do you really need a CD player if you have the streamer. You could sell the three sources and get a Rega P8 and NDX. They would go wonderfully with the SN2. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Do you really need a CD player if you have the streamer.

The better question for me is do you really need a streamer when you have a CDP and TT? Maybe you like the radio aspect of the nd5sx? Otherwise I'd say sell the streamer, upgrade to a CD5XS, or better yet a CDX2, then look at upgrading your TT and phono stage.

Alternatively, you could sit where you're at with current gear and exchange the SN2 for a NaitXS2 for better balance.

Good point - perhaps I should have said 'do you need both a CD player and a streamer'. 

Maintaining three sources as you climb the ladder becomes not just more expensive, but also hugely more cluttered. You could easily end up with 3 or 4 boxes for vinyl, 2 or 3 for streaming and 2 for CD, plus the extra shelves, interconnects and mains leads. I guess some people must like having all that stuff, which is fine, but personally, I couldn't live with it. I prefer to climb higher up the ladder with fewer sources. 

ChrisSU posted:

Maintaining three sources as you climb the ladder becomes not just more expensive, but also hugely more cluttered. You could easily end up with 3 or 4 boxes for vinyl, 2 or 3 for streaming and 2 for CD, plus the extra shelves, interconnects and mains leads. I guess some people must like having all that stuff, which is fine, but personally, I couldn't live with it. I prefer to climb higher up the ladder with fewer sources. 

I don't mean on getting more boxes, I would change one for the other, 1 for vynil, 1 for Streaming, 1 for CD.

I bought the SN2 on an extremely cheap deal for me and took advantage of it. That is why I wanted to now start improving my sources, My original setup was Nait 5si, Marantz streamer and CD5si. I would like to continue keeping the source and improving on them since I honestly use all three sources evenly, I have some files on my NAS that I don't have on CD, That is why I wouldn't like to get rid of the streamer. And The CD source is because I still enjoy going through my collection and finding that one CD I hadn't heard in a long time! And then Vynil is Vynil, but my collection is not big enough for it to be my primary source.

Andres Herrera posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Maintaining three sources as you climb the ladder becomes not just more expensive, but also hugely more cluttered. You could easily end up with 3 or 4 boxes for vinyl, 2 or 3 for streaming and 2 for CD, plus the extra shelves, interconnects and mains leads. I guess some people must like having all that stuff, which is fine, but personally, I couldn't live with it. I prefer to climb higher up the ladder with fewer sources. 

I don't mean on getting more boxes, I would change one for the other, 1 for vynil, 1 for Streaming, 1 for CD.

sorry, but i don't see why you want to keep streaming and cd player. With a little upgraded network, streaming is today better than cd player and even cheaper. 

Other comprehensive way would be to have only a top notch cd player , like cdx2/ xps2 and better vinyl source...  But even that, ndx/xps2 will be, on most areas, better than cdx2/xps2.

Andres Herrera posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Maintaining three sources as you climb the ladder becomes not just more expensive, but also hugely more cluttered. You could easily end up with 3 or 4 boxes for vinyl, 2 or 3 for streaming and 2 for CD, plus the extra shelves, interconnects and mains leads. I guess some people must like having all that stuff, which is fine, but personally, I couldn't live with it. I prefer to climb higher up the ladder with fewer sources. 

I don't mean on getting more boxes, I would change one for the other, 1 for vynil, 1 for Streaming, 1 for CD.

Other than handling physical media, streaming can do everything that CD can, the same or better (e.g aside from hi res files, there is no optical reading and associated error correction algorithms to fill in misreads), so channelling resources into improving streaming, to one day phase out the CD player once all is ripped, seems to me to be a logical and effective way to go, and that is therefore where I suggest you focus. (Of course, a better DAC might benefit CD playing as well, if your player has a digital output.)

Personally I feel (felt!) the same with vinyl, sonically being more compromised than digital, though there are those who prefer their vinyl, whether because they are simply conditioned to its sound, or because they like the physicality, or whatever - but there is nothing wrong with that if it applies to you 

Andres Herrera posted:

I bought the SN2 on an extremely cheap deal for me and took advantage of it. That is why I wanted to now start improving my sources, My original setup was Nait 5si, Marantz streamer and CD5si. I would like to continue keeping the source and improving on them since I honestly use all three sources evenly, I have some files on my NAS that I don't have on CD, That is why I wouldn't like to get rid of the streamer. And The CD source is because I still enjoy going through my collection and finding that one CD I hadn't heard in a long time! And then Vynil is Vynil, but my collection is not big enough for it to be my primary source.

 

Since I sold my CD player last year having ripped all my CDs I find it far easier to find CDs that I haven't played in a long time by scrolling through on my tablet in fact in the last couple of weeks I've played a couple of CDs that I've not listened to for years.

Idont get it.there was a very simple and veryCLEAR request for advise and yet some of you are trying to push your agendas.the man asked for advise to improve 3 SOURCES thats all simple.

leni v posted:

Idont get it.there was a very simple and veryCLEAR request for advise and yet some of you are trying to push your agendas.the man asked for advise to improve 3 SOURCES thats all simple.

Well, the original question posed the thought of upgrading the streaming side, OR the CD side. Then later the OP mentioned wanting to keep three sources (but not multiple boxes). He also indicated limited resources. I see nothing inconsistent with suggesting that he consider whether a better idea might be to make a change, however gradually, to wind down CD and move to just streaming (which would maximise cost effectiveness) pointing out facts of which he may have been unaware in case they help him decide if it is for him. In what way can it be an agenda of mine to get him off CD? It affects me not in the slightest. If the OP feels that my posts have been unhelpful, I trust he will indicate as much himself.

I am a thereesome source guy as well, i like the cds and vinly.

Cd classical and rock,electronic, box sets

Vinly 60s 70s blues ,jazz ,all blue note, beatles

Streaming new stuff via tidal, all above when i am lazy, 80/90 party hits

Also add japanese cds for blue notes -they are far better than 24/192 - 

But i am a guy who read a book on kindle and then buy the hardcover version ıf i like it very much

Each one of them is a thorphy to show how smart and sophisticated am i!  Maybe that is the reason of my attchement but i think they all sound little different

Used cd2x / hugo2 for streamer / rega 8 will be my thereesome 

He was showerd with-you dont need a cd.and its not the first time this is happening.the op enjoys his cd colection and is askinghow to improve on his player and yet the streaming knights are charging.

leni v posted:

Idont get it.there was a very simple and veryCLEAR request for advise and yet some of you are trying to push your agendas.the man asked for advise to improve 3 SOURCES thats all simple.

but he can be lost this poor man....just joking 

Emre posted:

I am a thereesome source guy as well, i like the cds and vinly.

Cd classical and rock,electronic, box sets

Vinly 60s 70s blues ,jazz ,all blue note, beatles

Streaming new stuff via tidal, all above when i am lazy, 80/90 party hits

Also add japanese cds for blue notes -they are far better than 24/192 - 

But i am a guy who read a book on kindle and then buy the hardcover version ıf i like it very much

Each one of them is a thorphy to show how smart and sophisticated am i!  Maybe that is the reason of my attchement but i think they all sound little different

Used cd2x / hugo2 for streamer / rega 8 will be my thereesome 

 

why not, you can add also fm tuner and reel to reel tapes and nakamichi 1000 tape deck....all having distinctive inner sound.  And when friends come, they will say" ouah! all that stuff..." and you will be pleased to invite them...

Relax Emre, i am just a little ironic sometimes.    If i had limitless founds, i would add a cd555/ 2 555dr to my nds and sme turntable. But i prefer, with my limited founds, with the help of bank credit, to maximize my 2 sources.

Keler Pierre posted:

Emre posted:

I am a thereesome source guy as well, i like the cds and vinly.

Cd classical and rock,electronic, box sets

Vinly 60s 70s blues ,jazz ,all blue note, beatles

Streaming new stuff via tidal, all above when i am lazy, 80/90 party hits

Also add japanese cds for blue notes -they are far better than 24/192 - 

But i am a guy who read a book on kindle and then buy the hardcover version ıf i like it very much

Each one of them is a thorphy to show how smart and sophisticated am i!  Maybe that is the reason of my attchement but i think they all sound little different

Used cd2x / hugo2 for streamer / rega 8 will be my thereesome 

 

why not, you can add also fm tuner and reel to reel tapes and nakamichi 1000 tape deck....all having distinctive inner sound.  And when friends come, they will say" ouah! all that stuff..." and you will be pleased to invite them...

Relax Emre, i am just a little ironic sometimes.    If i had limitless founds, i would add a cd555/ 2 555dr to my nds and sme turntable. But i prefer, with my limited founds, with the help of bank credit, to maximize my 2 sources.

Reel to reel sounds very nice but albums are very expensive

Rome is not build in a day, it is a long way till retierement, priorities or favorites kick in, you can very good 3 source with the price of cd555/555s, no need to maximize anything, there will be always a new max!

I am very relax by the way... and no friend of mine gives a crap about my sources,  they all told me that new apple speaker will blow all my hifi gadgets to trash...

Emre posted:

I am very relax by the way... and no friend of mine gives a crap about my sources,  they all told me that new apple speaker will blow all my hifi gadgets to trash...

 

Let's hope they're right!

Andres Herrera posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Maintaining three sources as you climb the ladder becomes not just more expensive, but also hugely more cluttered. You could easily end up with 3 or 4 boxes for vinyl, 2 or 3 for streaming and 2 for CD, plus the extra shelves, interconnects and mains leads. I guess some people must like having all that stuff, which is fine, but personally, I couldn't live with it. I prefer to climb higher up the ladder with fewer sources. 

I don't mean on getting more boxes, I would change one for the other, 1 for vynil, 1 for Streaming, 1 for CD.

That's easier said than done, especially with Naim. A bit of forward planning will help. For example, some people will have a turntable, a PSU for it, a Phono stage, and another PSU for that. 4 boxes just for a vinyl source. If you choose a nice olive Naim preamp such as an 82 or 52, you can have a built in phono stage and just a turntable. With digital sources, you can add an external DAC that takes inputs from both CD player and streamer. If you start down the wrong road, these options might not be available to you.   

Evening Andres,

I have nothing to add that I have not said on your earlier threads, so I will wish you and your wife well and hope your restaurant is thriving, that the linen is still crisp and that staff are still attentive without being pushy.

Best, Chris

FWIW, I'd say your RP3 looks like the weakest link, when an ND5XS is a similar price to the RP8/Apehta. I'd wager an RP8 might get you closer to the Live Jazz club sound you seek.

Maybe a Power supply on the Stageline would also liberate some performance in the SN2 for the digital sources.

Holmes posted:

FWIW, I'd say your RP3 looks like the weakest link, when an ND5XS is a similar price to the RP8/Apehta. I'd wager an RP8 might get you closer to the Live Jazz club sound you seek.

Maybe a Power supply on the Stageline would also liberate some performance in the SN2 for the digital sources.

yes, better have only 2 good sources than many medium quality ones....