Hi there - my first post.
I've been a Naim owner for about 25 years.I stopped buying hi-Fi about 10 years ago to focus my money spending on family things and, while that's still true, I think it is time to upgrade my speakers.And I need some help, please, because I haven't even walked into a hi-fi shop for a decade (far to dangerous!).
Firstly about what the speakers will be fitting into:
Naim NAC202 pre amplifier and NAP150. My current speakers are Mission 751s on stands bi-wired with Naim cable
I have to say my sources now mostly movies via Skybox, Netflix, BluRay box, I watch a lot of arts and music programs and DVDs. My music is mostly from iPod Classic connected via Denon ASD 11R. Music is ripped at minmum 256 but I have a lot of albums in WAV and lossless too. My CD player is an Arcam alpha 9+ and I occasionally get the chance to listen to one all the way through.
I am a guitarist and I appreciate music delivery that is neutral, present, precise detailed and musical
Due to the arrangements of furniture I MUST have standmounted speakers, but I don't mind if they are larger.
I realise the Mission 751s are pretty ancient but I must say they have been great companions over all these years. They are musical, well integrated and capable of sounding bigger scale with better sources.
But I'd like to make the next leap. I'm looking for:
Standmounted size. Audibily better - more detailed with a wider sonic range
Good looking without the speaker covers. Black preferred.
Cost around or under £750 USED price (I'm not buying new - I like speakers played-in and I don't want to pay 20% VAT for anything unless I have to)
It is a good sized room and the listening position is around 12 feet form the speakers which are about the same distance apart.
Thanks for your ideas
Posted on: 02 September 2017 by Huge
You could find some ATC12s for that kind of money. Be prepared for the 150 to get hot though.
You shouldn't use any speaker that makes an amp run hot. It indicates that the load presented by the speaker isn't suited to the amp and is overloading the output stage, typically because of high phase angles.
This is particularly true of Naim amps (which run with a very low quiescent current).
(N.B. this is completely non applicable to class A power amps)
Posted on: 02 September 2017 by rze99
"I don't recall Naim ever recommending bi-wiring, but I may be wrong in that; it may also have been the dealer's own personal opinion not that of Naim."
To be fair yes this was the sales guy at the dealer speaking not NAIM. the mid-nineties was a long time ago.
Posted on: 03 September 2017 by rze99
Update
Pondering all the advice received and having a long time on-line I've already blown the budget.
All of these are now on the way to me to be delivered over the next week.
Source
mint second hand Pro-Ject DAC Box S USB External Sound Card with USB Input in black £95 (for iphone/iTunes and other streaming and HD tv digital in) http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-100...logue-converter.aspx
mint second hand Audioquest Ruby x 3 Hyperlitz RCA/Phono 1m Interconnect Cables for connecting the DAC box, £34.
Keeping the Alpha 9+ for CDs only used infrequently.
Amp
Mint second hand Naim HICAP power supply with cable £495
Speakers
For the moment at least, I'm keeping the 751s - I've always liked them and maybe they will be replaced if I see the right used bargain.
For now they're are just going to be permanently placed higher and about 20cm away from the wall, slightly toed in.
I'm going to convert the bi-wire cables into single wire as suggested here and sell the other set.
I bought some CHORD CARNIVAL 4x Speakers Jumpers-Bi-Wire Link to try. (£14) I may upgrade these later.
I also have some used 70cm stands £40 on the way. The cabinet-placed speaker is now on black decorative bricks (I already had these) with lumps of blue tack fixing them in place.
Interested to hear what you make of the choices I've made and I'll report back when all is in place.
total spent £678
Posted on: 03 September 2017 by ChrisSU
The advantage of buying used gear is that you can take a punt on something, and sell it for little or no loss if it doesn't work out. So I would say keep an open mind, and let your own ears be the judge. I'm not sure what the Project DAC will do for your system, but the Hicap should bring a nice improvement. Did you check it's age and service history?
Be prepared to spend some time setting your gear up properly. Naim amps do benefit from sitting on a proper rack, and this becomes more important as you climb the upgrade ladder. Cable dressing, mains supply, speaker positioning, etc. all make a difference.
