s400 sound

longmanjon posted:

Really?

Indeed - if i recall correctly I wrote that earlier.

They are called Naim Ovator plugs, to be used with all Ovator speakers.

If you mean that the pins are too far apart, just take the black plastic casing off. You shouldn't bend the pins. 

It's really worthwhile to have the Ovator Speaker connectors soldered on to your NACA5. at the speaker end. 

Does anyone know where I can get some 

longmanjon posted:

Does anyone know where I can get some 

I suspect your delaer would be the best option. And best to get him to solder them properly (mind the polarity!).

That's how I had mine done.

Great speakers the S400. I had them in a pretty large room and bass was very good, just not very deep (for my preferences & in my room/gear etc.) Punchy & very tight bass for sure and the PRaT was excellent with these. However I did think they were a bit too small in the room I have 5.5m x 8m x 2m - as in small sounding overall, not just in regards to bass.

In your size room I think you are in the sweet spot room size wise with these.

I’m handy with a soldering iron (100 watt in this instance) so ordered some Ovator plugs from Tom Tom Audio. I drilled a wooden block to hold the pins for soldering. Worked a treat. I then went to Super Lumina  - nice plugs but not the special Ovator ones. I then sold my S600s!

Ravenswood10 posted:

I’m handy with a soldering iron (100 watt in this instance) so ordered some Ovator plugs from Tom Tom Audio. I drilled a wooden block to hold the pins for soldering. Worked a treat. I then went to Super Lumina  - nice plugs but not the special Ovator ones. I then sold my S600s!

Sounds to me like you shouldn't have spent for the SuperLumina.

Quite the opposite - glad I did in the context of a full SL loom too. The S600s were part-exchanged for my new Focal Sopra 2s which provide a significant improvement all round. They also physically dominate the room less.

longmanjon posted:

Does anyone know where I can get some 

Are they still in the s400 box, in the attic?

I thought I would provide and update after getting the 250/272 now set up and singing on the s400, I must say the transformation with the speakers is now fantastic. From what I remember of the superuniti this is absolutely better, the scale of music is fantastic but the overall definition of all ranges is such a pleasing benefit, and the soundstage is quite amazing also. It’s a real pleasure going through the library again and discovering new sounds.

a couple of questions, is it worth doing anything about the snaic cable, can’t afford a lumina, and is it worth getting powerlines.

one last thing, I do get a buzzing on the 250 occasionally, and wasn’t sure if it’s in need of a service or a connection is causing it, I have the switch on the 272 on chassis.

Moderated Post: Longmanjon, please note that discussion of 3rd party "SNAIC" substitutes is not allowed as these constitute an unauthorised modification to the equipment, the result of which will at best will not perform as Naim intended, and at worst may well result in damage to the equipment.

I would just spend some time with your latest upgrade before embarking on any further expenditure, so you have a good “ear” for changes when you do make changes. I recently added a power line to my 250dr, I thought the benefits were Ok for £300, but not for full price?

Thanks gazza your probably right to enjoy it as it is. I think I had a similar view on the powerline when getting one a superuniti

I always say the S400s need decent amplification 250 upwards to get the best from them. My SU wasn't enough for them. I think that's much the reason for so much criticism for them. 

Try a 300dr on them if you dare. 

S-400 do like a decent power amp. 250DR is good, 300DR is even better with them.

But.... step-by-step.

I would recommend doing nothing for the next 6 months - just enjoy the current setup. Perhaps a power supply at a later stage... and some PowerLines. SuperLumina DIN-XLR + SL speaker cables will for a rather nice icing on an already good cake by that time.

LONGMANJON ,just had a quick look online and on some review blogs about your Nord power amp. It appears that they are unique in having the facility of swapping out and changing its op amps, with some describing what your original dislike about the speakers being cured by changing one to another.

Is this something that you are aware of ? Could be worth investigating before any major changes.

longmanjon posted:

Which Speakers are you using with that setup Steve?

I also wonder would it be more beneficial to get a 250.2 with a 172 or a 272 with the 200, is the difference with the 172/272 that great to warrant the extra expense and are there newer products being lined which I should wait for instead of making the more expensive move to a 272 now?

I’m pretty Catholic, have 172/200/S400/Naca5. The insertion of a 272 was pretty amazing. I suspect that the new streaming architecture of the Nova will make its way into the separates in time. I think a Nova has the edge over a 172/200 in terms of clarity, but not as much oomph, (the NAP200 wins here).

My two cents worth is a 272/200 would be better for me than a 172/250.2. But the path upwards is all good.

My room is 3.6m x 5.6m. I am lucky as there is no “back” wall, the listening space is family/kitchen/dining and totals 55 square metres. Listening space is totally symmetrical. Speakers on 3.6m wall, 400mm out and 2.1m apart. No toe in. Floating laminate floor but I spike through to concrete slab below. 

About the best sounding room I have ever had. Bass is fast and full. Had tri-amped Briks and the S400 are faster. I get to hear my old set up and I know where I am now.

London Grammar via a 24/48 file is awesome.

But a 272/XPS/250Dr is calling. So too is a Golf convertible.

The joys of using multiple devices online. Had written the above on the iPad and thought I lost it. Then it appears and posts.... dark machinations of the interwobble

Drewy posted:

I always say the S400s need decent amplification 250 upwards to get the best from them. My SU wasn't enough for them. I think that's much the reason for so much criticism for them. 

Try a 300dr on them if you dare. 

I dare not! A 272/250 is pretty good. The 300 would be great. But what about my convertible? 

steve95775 posted:

I think a Nova has the edge over a 172/200 in terms of clarity, but not as much oomph, (the NAP200 wins here).

 

Interesting, as when I added a 200 to my Superuniti, I thought it gave it more clarity, and less oomph!

I think the Nova is probably a better balanced amp than a 172/200 combo. I understand why they dropped the 172. My thought is that value in the Nova won out over the versatility of a 172/200.

An improved 172 with the option of using an external power supply seems a pretty logical future product.

The overlap of Nova, basic pre/power/streamer and streaming pre/power seems wasteful of manufacturing and marketing effort. More product rationalisation ahead?

I think I would have to agree that the 250.2 really added the grunt the s400 required, and the addition of the 272 was really the extra quality it needed in comparison to the auralic I had, that's not to say the auralic was not a decent machine but the 272 really is a bigger step up, and yes it is twice the price so this should be expected but never a guarantee.