XPS or new speakers

See if you can demo the Tablette 10. Don’t worry about their size - gorgeous tuneful bouncy bass aplenty.

G

I did something similar few years ago and bought a used XPS (olive) for my CDX2. Wow - worth every penny. Detail, soundstage, presence and weight of sound all improved. You already have speakers that work in your room - they'll work even better with your CDX & XPS. Know where my money would go

 JOHNNY M

If you haven't had your amps serviced this would be a good place to spend before changing speakers.

Karl

I also have the CDX and I'm not sure if the XPS will be a significant improvement for the price it costs second hand. I would opt for speakers such as Tablette 10, Stirling LS3 / 5A, Russell K50 or Scansonic mb-1

Though question.

I like tablette 10 a lot.

Nothwithstanding I 'd prompt you to try the XPS as it's a massive upgrade.

But again in a small room the latest tablette 10 would make wonders.

Servicing the amps and SBL x-over would be my first move

The new Tablette 10 signature are unfortunately biwire as the ordinary Tablette 10

Dealbreaker for me

Spendors are usually "friendly" voiced, very much far from SBL upfront performance

Anyway, if you can get various speakers home demo thats best (after servicing amp, good rack and mains)

You could allways search for s/h xps, in my book I would much rather have CDS2 or 3 at not much more cost

The question is simple, falling into two parts:

1) Do you love the presentation by your speakers, in all respects?

2a) If yes, then why even consider change? More recent doesn’t necessarily mean sound better, and many people consider SBLs as one of the holy grails.  Instead consider what else in your system would have the most impact - which might be XPS. However other options with source include considering changing from CD to streaming, and I don’t know if a better power amp might make the speakers sound even better (DR or 300?) - I’m sure others can advise on that aspect.

2b) If no, then before searching for something to replace the SBLs, I suggest starting by assessing what it is you feel could be improved, and anything you would not want to lose in the process. And if it were me, unless my budget is very large I would focus on secondhand or ex-demo speakers.

Having been through a not dissimilar situation, and having auditioned various speakers - including using other speakers for a year or so before going back to my SBLs, my advice would be to get the XPS and keep the SBLs.

SBLs are capable of being really very very good, so long as they're given what they want (proper set up, adequate gear in front of them, and so on).  And IMO the Spendor floorstanders didn't really live up to the promise/pedigree of the Spendor name (I did say IMO!).  If you're going Spendor, especially in a smaller room, I think the BBC-style standmounts are the way to go.  And if heading in that direction, there's also Harbeth, Graham Audio, Falcon etc to try out as well.  Floor standing Proacs won't go against a wall as far as I'm aware, so I'd be skeptical about them in a room that small.

On the other hand, an XPS will be of benefit regardless of the speakers, and should help satisfy your SBLs.

All subject to auditions (or buying at a price conducive to re-selling if necessary) and proper servicing.

Johnny, the Proac Tab10 in your small room will sound superb on the end of your olive 250, I run the Tab 10s with a CB250 plenty of detail, mid range to die for and nice tight bass.

If you opt for the Tab10s make sure you go for heavy mass weight speaker stands.

You have a great amp set (does it need servicing?) including the best pre-amp Naim have ever produced () and the speakers are great. My worry would be the CDX - how old is it and how long can you expect the transport to last (I don't know if Naim have transports still in stock - I would check if I was you). Maybe the front end is where focus should be aimed ?

It always makes sense to have olive era amps and the SBL crossovers serviced if this is due or overdue.

Then I would strongly endorse the XPS on the CDX; it transforms it to these cloth ears.  And yes, we do have a factory serviced CDX/XPS in the family, so this is from personal experience.

Hope this helps, FT 

These ‘either or’ threads are dangerous.

They always conclude with ‘both’ ...

G

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond  to my query.  I appreciate the extremely constructive suggestions and I now have to make up my mind - new speakers or XPS ?The decision is quite straight forward. Based on what members have suggested, it's an easy choice - either solution offers benefits. My CDX will sound better paired with an XPS through my SBL's, while smaller speakers such as the ProAc Tablettes will suit a small room. So, if I cannot find a good olive XPS in the near future, I'll settle for a pair of new ProAc's.  Thanks again.

Johnny M posted:

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to respond  to my query.  I appreciate the extremely constructive suggestions and I now have to make up my mind - new speakers or XPS ?The decision is quite straight forward. Based on what members have suggested, it's an easy choice - either solution offers benefits. My CDX will sound better paired with an XPS through my SBL's, while smaller speakers such as the ProAc Tablettes will suit a small room. So, if I cannot find a good olive XPS in the near future, I'll settle for a pair of new ProAc's.  Thanks again.

If you're likely to do both upgrades (XPS and speakers) sooner or later, I would do the XPS first. Then, if you still think the speakers are lacking (and assuming the rest of the system is properly set up and serviced, and working optimally)  find a pair that match your room and electronics - which you will only know by a proper home demo, regardless of any recommendations from other people.