Time for a change? Where to go?

“However, after 15 years, maybe, just maybe, there is something out there that will simply blow me away”

Not sure that anyone has addressed this question, so here goes, as a complete change of direction:

How about streaming, from either purchased album files (which can be hi res), rips of CDs, or even rops of vinyl, stored on a store-renderer like Naim Uniti Core, Melco or Innuos Zenith, played through a DAC like Chord Dave (Chord Hugo wowed many with its oft-described as analog-like sound, Hugo 2 and Hugo TT built on that, and Dave is the ultimate manifestation). Of course, though as yet an unknown quantity and even more costly, Naim is about to release the ND555 streamer, combining renderer and DAC in one, requiring just a store like a NAS.

Forget any preconceptions about analog vs digital (if you have any), instead have a listen... 

I have no preconceptions of analogue Vs digital - I enjoy my music from both but LOVE the convenience of digital.
My HDX has served me well but maybe, the NDS is much better, or one of the other options you mention such as the up and coming ND555.
Once I've got some free time in my diary, I'll look at making a dealer appointment to listen to some new equipment :-)

If I were you I would upgrade the streaming side of your system Perhaps built around a new Hugo 2 or Qutest Dac and perhaps a Melco N1a/2 which would allow you to stream your existing digital library and also stream music from services like Tidal and Quboz. 

If you still have the finances I would of course go for a 552 because you have come a long way with Naim and in your own words you love the system so it would be a shame if you could not at least hear what a 552 can do and if  you still have that itch then you could audition some other brands knowing that you already owned a 500 series pre.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

I would hold your fire and wait for the new Naim streamers, you can then compare to the Chord offerings......then make the right choice.

Until the next round of streamers come round....they seem to change quite frequently

varyat posted:

Until the next round of streamers come round....they seem to change quite frequently

Naim have just released a new streamer range for the first time in nearly a decade, I'd say that's quite a long time in terms of digital equipment. OK, it's not long compared the LP12 which, at 46 years old, is over twice the age of Trigger's broom  

Sorry,should have qualified that...I was referring to streamers in general- not just Naim streamers. This technology just seems to be advancing very quickly from what i can see. Granted, I am wholly unqualified to judge because I do not stream music but waiting for the next round of better units does not take that long. Just buy what you like now and enjoy it imo.

Good to meet you today; pure happenstance that we were in need of a coffee and the local dealer uses decently sourced beans.

You have happened across a very good dealer and I am sure he will serve you well, even if his demonstration room is a little on the small side.

Now off to search out a copy of The Disturbed.

Good to meet you too Nick. I don’t blame you for calling in for coffee. It is particularly good :-)

A very informative visit to Signals near Felixstowe today. More listening tomorrow!

Have fun and good listening

I shall.  Just remember that the Disturbed album with “Sound of silence”, apart from that one track is extremely heavy! 

Also,  i’m not sure you were there when I played it, but you might be interested in “Vintage Trouble”  their album “The Bombshelter Sessions”  is terrific.

blythe posted:

(...) maybe, just maybe, there is something out there that will simply blow me away (...)

Yes, death.

M.

Joking. 

Max_B posted:

blythe posted:

(...) maybe, just maybe, there is something out there that will simply blow me away (...)

Yes, death.

M.

Max, you're sounding a bit like Marvin The Paranoid Android again.

Joking. 

Having a bad day?

blythe posted:

I shall.  Just remember that the Disturbed album with “Sound of silence”, apart from that one track is extremely heavy! 

Also,  i’m not sure you were there when I played it, but you might be interested in “Vintage Trouble”  their album “The Bombshelter Sessions”  is terrific.

It will be worth having "Immortalized" even for that single track. And anyway I play a game where a friend and I try to outdo each other with heavy music!

I was sent a link to "The Bombshelter" and will look it out.

Well, I've spent a very enjoyable day & 1/2 at Signals near Felixstowe. Horrendous drive there and back but that's another story..

Alistair and Andy made me very welcome and I must say that they have a most impressive and comfortable facility with demo rooms. Very nice.

I could write about the hours of listening and every change but, in a nutshell, I need to improve my front end - time to change the HDX as the Melco into Chord Dave DAC sounded sooo much better. More detail, smoother yet still exciting.
However, until I hear the new up and coming ND555 I won't make a final decision.

I also heard a variety of amplification from 252 to 552 and 300  to 500.

On returning home, my own current system didn't sound badly broken - thankfully!

I also had the extreme pleasure of hearing the Statement for the first time, playing into Kudos Titan 808 speakers. I have to admit that was a real "wow" moment.
All the delicacy and finesse but with all the slam and dynamics I normally associate with Naim's older gear - the "old" Naim sound.

As I'm planning on moving my entire system into a new listening room, I also wanted to audition a single box system and some small floor standers to fill the gap, when my main system moves.

For this test, I listened to a Naim Atom into Neat Iota Xplorer speakers. To be frank, it's hard to justify paying any more for a system - this combination just rocks! A thoroughly enjoyable music machine!

I then tried the Star, then Nova and if it were my main system, I'd simply go for the Nova and a pair of these Xplorers. Brilliant.

I then switched straight back to the Atom and it still sounded absolutely great! (OK, not as great as with the Nova but still great).

I also tried Kudos X3 speakers with the Atom, which I also really enjoyed, although not as much as the Xplorer, but, the the Xplorer are around £1000more.. And the X3 are less intrusive in the room, due to their narrow stance.
I also tried PMC's (twenty something)? which I did not like at all. The voicing wasn't to my taste and the treble didn't suit my ears and I felt I would tire of them very quickly.

A very enjoyable time, some serious decisions to be made but I felt totally at ease with my hosts at Signals and look forward to doing business with them soon.

Oh and a pleasure to meet a couple Forum members who popped in whilst I was at the shop! (Nick from Suffolk and also JN)

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Signals, it was my find of the year in 2017 just as I embarked on hifi again. Looks like you really put the lads through their paces. Just as well the bridge over the river Orwell did not get closed that would really have finished off your journey.

Good that the drive did not put you off a return visit. It isn't always that bad a journey, but getting to and beyond Ipswich does not offer many variants.

AnA@StC's run an excellent operation.

"AnA@StC's run an excellent operation" - pardon??

 Allow me to translate, Martin.

'Alastair and Andy at St Cecilia's' - the name of the erstwhile place of worship. 

John. 

Thanks John - I knew there'd be an easy explanation! 

It was great to meet you, Blythe. Thanks for making the not insubstantial journey.

Glad it was not too disastrous overall!

Martin,

I have just spotted this thread and am interested in your proposed/possible journey. Not sure if you recall but I came and heard your system with JN a few years back. You were very hospitable, and amongst other listening, I remember you playing Up by Peter Gabriel on rare LP, and some live Be Bop Deluxe, and us reminiscing about them from the fabulous 70s.

You may not remember but we had almost identical active systems, except I had Briks in place of your NBLs. 

Like you I have not chopped and changed gear, but after yonks decided last year to reduce boxes and revert to passive with 500 series DR kit. My reasoning was I would like to move on from the Briks, which I have owned for 20 years, if I can find something better without re-mortgaging the house. And the active thing was a bit of a ‘cul-de-sac’ in terms of  speakers, because there aren’t many to choose from other than Briks, NBLs, and DBLs. So I decided to get 555/552/500 DR kit now to enable me to more easily swap different speakers onto the rig when I’m ready to trial them.

What I hadn’t bargained for was the Briks ‘upping their game’ so much that I’m in no hurry to move them on. Although I probably will when I get time to research. I expect your NBLs would do the same.

Why do I mention all this to you? Your system definitely won’t sound broken and you have no need to change it. Mine didn’t. I can’t pretend 500 gear has been anything as profound as life changing. But music does sound a whole lot better and my enjoyment of it has increased in spades.

If it is of help to you to listen to my system you would be very welcome. I shan’t be remotely offended if it isn’t helpful. Contact via JN or my profile.

There’s no right or wrong with this stuff and at the end of the day, it’s just a record player.

Best regards, David.