Office System update

Posted by: Chris Bell on 19 August 2017

A few (major) changes since my last post.  The Klipsch's are gone... they did some interesting things but were flawed and had to go back.  

The Unitiqute2 is now being used solely as a preamp being fed by a NDX/UnitiServe.  Power comes from the delightful NAP100 and speakers are the amazing ProAc Tablet 10's.  No speaker this small has any business making this much bass.  It is remarkable how involving and dynamic the 10's are.  Even a recording engineer buddy of mine was impressed and helped me position for the speakers (he has remarkable listening skills).  

I've also added a bunch of Vicoustic room treatments which have tamed the space.  

Next step is to replace the UnitiQute2 and NDX with a 272.  I'll stop there ;-)  

 

Posted on: 19 August 2017 by spurrier sucks

One hell of an office setup. Enjoy!

Posted on: 19 August 2017 by HiFiman

Nice one Chris. Tab10 are indeed special I use 272/xp5xs/250 into my Tabs and I have no plans upgrading.

 

Posted on: 19 August 2017 by Chris Bell

That sounds like a great system... The few times I've heard the 272 I've been impressed.  Perfect balance between streamer/preamp.  

Posted on: 19 August 2017 by SongStream

"I'll stop there" he says.  Maybe.  Personally, I think the NAP100's days are numbered.  ;-)  

Very nice. 

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by james n

Very nice Chris. Quick question, what make are the stands under the 10's ?

Thanks

James

 

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Bob the Builder

How about a SuperUniti Chris?

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Innocent Bystander

I envy the luxury of being able to have a hifi system at work! 

For the work I do at home, in a previous house I had an 'office', which doubled as a hobbies room, but couldn't afford to double up and have a hifi system in there as well as the music room. When I last moved I changed that, and in a larger music room I now have plenty of space for a desk, which sits behind the main seating/listening area, which whilst not in the "sweet spot" is great for having music while I do other things. The disadvantage is that sometimes I lose myself in tne music and don't get on with what I'm supposed to be doing!

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Huge
james n posted:

Very nice Chris. Quick question, what make are the stands under the 10's ?

Thanks

James

 

Custom Design CS104 Signature.

I use the same stands under a pair of SP2s, they replaced a pair of Partington Super Dreadnought, and are an improvement over the Partingtons as they give a more 'lively' presentation without loosing coherence or detail.  They do need all the screw threads to be done up really tight though!

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by hungryhalibut

I read somewhere that the best stands for the Tablette 10 is one formerly made by Target, with four thick square legs and really heavy. Bryston now supply something exactly the same apparently. 

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by GraemeH
Hungryhalibut posted:

I read somewhere that the best stands for the Tablette 10 is one formerly made by Target, with four thick square legs and really heavy. Bryston now supply something exactly the same apparently. 

Bryston 'MR' for 'Maximum Rigidity' apparently.

G

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by GraemeH
Huge posted:
james n posted:

Very nice Chris. Quick question, what make are the stands under the 10's ?

Thanks

James

 

Custom Design CS104 Signature.

I use the same stands under a pair of SP2s, they replaced a pair of Partington Super Dreadnought, and are an improvement over the Partingtons as they give a more 'lively' presentation without loosing coherence or detail.  They do need all the screw threads to be done up really tight though!

FS104 Signature seems to be on their website but I'm not sure I see a baseplate dimension that fits unless it's the  (New) optional 150 x 180 x 4mm?

G

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Skip

Did you get to listen to the Blumensteins?

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Chris Bell

I did hear the Blumentein's.  Let's just say I was not impressed with the speaker or his business practices. Caveat Emptor.

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by james n

Cheers Huge, Graeme, Nigel - will check out their website. 

Thanks again

James

 

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by DrMark

"The disadvantage is that sometimes I lose myself in the music and don't get on with what I'm supposed to be doing!"

That is EXACTLY my problem with music while I work - I am a pretty active listener most of the time, so I find it distracting from what I am trying to concentrate on. I don't seem to have the ability to treat it as "background noise"...maybe I am just ADD.

Slammin' little system there Chris Bell...

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by ngarritson

Have you tried your Nait2 with the Tab 10s yet?  I'd be curious to know if you think it can drive them adequately.

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by Chris Bell

I did try the Nait 2... it was not as good as the Qute2+NAP100 combo.  It's in desperate need of a recap...can't decide what to do with it?  

Posted on: 20 August 2017 by ngarritson

Good to know.  Thanks.  

Easy decision - ask Chris West to rebuild it.  It'll put another 20 years of tread back on the tire, operationally and cosmetically.  I just got a CB Nait2 from an auction site in the U.K. and he's rebuilding it for me.  I figured as long as he's doing the voltage conversion I may as well ask him to do the full monty.

Did I need the Nait2?  No.  Is it a luxury?  Yes.  I have a living room system and an office system that are very satisfying.  But, the Nait2 is one of Naim's most iconic products and it's a one box representation of the incredible sound from that era, which is my favorite era, and it's not a ton of money.  

 I previously had an olive Nait2 and got rid of it because I didn't need it.  I realized in hindsight it was a mistake.  One of my big hifi revelations was with a Nait2.  Products that lead to revelations should probably be retained.  There's just nothing else like it.   I figure I'll keep it on hand.  Maybe a long-term "use case" will pop up soon.  If not, it's something to use when I have my other amps rebuilt on a short-term basis.  If my kids get into hifi at some point it'll be the anchor for a good first system for them.  It's kind of like investing.  Good things happen with good assets.  Good things seem to happen with the Nait2.  

If you have it rebuilt and then try to sell it you won't get all of your money out of it, but then again if you sell it before a rebuild you won't get full value either because it needs  a recapping.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Posted on: 21 August 2017 by Antonio1

I rate a lot the latest tablette they really  find comfortable at the end of beefier and costlier Bryston you would hardly believe the massive improvements they would show. Pretty sure you're into that 272/250 order of mind ?

Posted on: 21 August 2017 by meni48
Chris Bell posted:

A few (major) changes since my last post.  The Klipsch's are gone... they did some interesting things but were flawed and had to go back.  

The Unitiqute2 is now being used solely as a preamp being fed by a NDX/UnitiServe.  Power comes from the delightful NAP100 and speakers are the amazing ProAc Tablet 10's.  No speaker this small has any business making this much bass.  It is remarkable how involving and dynamic the 10's are.  Even a recording engineer buddy of mine was impressed and helped me position for the speakers (he has remarkable listening skills).  

I've also added a bunch of Vicoustic room treatments which have tamed the space.  

Next step is to replace the UnitiQute2 and NDX with a 272.  I'll stop there ;-)  

 

Chris..i heard ProAc Tablet 10 twenty years ago, probably the first generation and I will never forget the awesome impression he left to me but it was not with naim system, it was with some tube electronics amplifier

Posted on: 11 September 2017 by magicia
Huge posted:
james n posted:

Very nice Chris. Quick question, what make are the stands under the 10's ?

Thanks

James

 

Custom Design CS104 Signature.

I use the same stands under a pair of SP2s, they replaced a pair of Partington Super Dreadnought, and are an improvement over the Partingtons as they give a more 'lively' presentation without loosing coherence or detail.  They do need all the screw threads to be done up really tight though!

Hi

I am using the  CS104 stands with my Proac SD1s.  I filled the centre column  with sand, but left the four outer supports empty.  I wonder if anyone has found it worthwhile filling them?

 

David

Posted on: 11 September 2017 by Huge
magicia posted:

Hi

I am using the  CS104 stands with my Proac SD1s.  I filled the centre column  with sand, but left the four outer supports empty.  I wonder if anyone has found it worthwhile filling them?

 

David

I filled the centre about 80% with a mixture of small granite chips and mafeic sand.  I have the satellite columns about 30% filled with the same mixture to reduce the slight ringing colouration.

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by magicia

Thank you. I have noticed a pinging sound when I tap the outer columns, but am not sure if or how this would affect the sound.  I wonder if there could be a resonance between similar frequencies in the music.   

I will try 30% sand and see if it makes a difference.

David

 

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by NickSeattle
Chris Bell posted:

.  .  .  Next step is to replace the UnitiQute2 and NDX with a 272.  I'll stop there ;-)  

Chris,

I think your NDX may be letting the UQ2 down --  Try the NDX through a Naim DAC/555 > 552 into the Qute, before you write the Qute off.  

I know of what I speak.  The Qute is a whale of an integrated amp.

(OK.  Not practical for an off-site office; but if a long wire is an option, try it!)

Nick

Posted on: 14 September 2017 by Chris Bell

Thanks Nick.... I think I'll try NDX > S1 Preamp > Nap100 next.   ;-)