Why am I doing this?

Posted by: docmark on 04 March 2018

Hello all. My Naim system consists of a Core, 272 & 250DR. I listen with Burmester B10 speakers. I have over 2300 CDs & downloads on the Core. I use Tidal high res. I'm about to add an NDX to my main system in another room. I was at my brother's place today, and he asked me why I was getting into streaming this way. He's quite content using Apple Music and CDs ripped to his computer. He has 5 different zones in his house, all controlled with his iPhone. Sure, Apple Music only streams at, I believe, 256kbs, but he's thrilled with what he's hearing, and I must admit that it sounds pretty good. I mumbled something about how my setup is superior to his, and he just laughed. He thinks that I'm nuts to be spending all that money on Naim equipment. Fearing more derision, I didn't tell him that I'm also considering an XPSDR soon for the 272. Nor did I tell him about the cables I'm using (Siltech, Crystal Cable, Super Lumina).

Anybody else have thoughts about this? Is being an Audiophile as goofy as my brother makes it out to be?

Posted on: 06 March 2018 by docmark

Well, I've placed 4 of the Thixar Silent Feet under the Naim feet. I've also placed a device called The Eliminator on top of the 272. That should decouple the 272 from the 250DR, and dampen any vibrations, so I've been told. I've been listening to some music since making the change, and what immediately comes to mind is that music sounds less congested & more open. I know that it's early days yet, but I'm hoping for more beneficial effects.

Posted on: 06 March 2018 by Innocent Bystander

docmark posted:
Well, I've placed 4 of the Thixar Silent Feet under the Naim feet. I've also placed a device called The Eliminator on top of the 272. That should decouple the 272 from the 250DR, and dampen any vibrations, so I've been told. I've been listening to some music since making the change, and what immediately comes to mind is that music sounds less congested & more open. I know that it's early days yet, but I'm hoping for more beneficial effects.

Wait for them to burn in, especially the weight on top: it will alter its mass by the hour for many months to come....

Sorry couldn’t resist!

whether or what difference a mass on top will makecwill depend on the amp’s casing and internal design, and possibly also on its support - but of course it will be a simple one-off change.

Posted on: 07 March 2018 by docmark

I know - I'll be sprinkling pixie dust on the 272 next. I am curious to try out these passive devices. I've been told that stacking the components is a horrible thing to do, so have been looking at options. Somebody suggested using an isolation device, hence the Thixar Silent Feet. I can't use a rack because of space constraints, so I've had to opt for something else. I hope that I'm pleasantly surprised. The mass on top does look kind of cool, though.