I currently enjoy my LP12/Lingo/HDX/XPS2/252/Supercap/SNAXO 3-6/Supercap/3x250 (Olive) into NBL's.
I've had this setup (except the HDX) for over 15 years, which is when I bought the NBL's, SNAXO 3-6 and a 3rd 250 having gone from active SBL's to active NBL's.
All power amps and power supplies have been recently re-capped and I have to say, I love the system.
However, after 15 years, maybe, just maybe, there is something out there that will simply blow me away - or have there not actually been such huge improvements since I bought my equipment?
Perhaps a 552 pre will bring joy to all of my sources?
Perhaps it's time to swap the amps? Or..?....?
Also, where to go to try and/or buy? I live in North West Oxfordshire UK and my nearest town is Chipping Norton, so Audio-T located in Cheltenham or Oxford are options.
Then there's Oxford Audio Consultants in Oxford but, I have no knowledge of any of those dealers.
Lastly, if the 500 series is possibly the way to go, it appears that Hi-Fi Cinema Ltd in Reading (1+1/2 hours), or Audience in Bath (1 hour 40 mins), or lastly Cymbiosis Leicester, are my only real options.
Cymbiosis, the only one I've really heard of, are nearly two hours away from me.
Any thoughts or advice??
Posted on: 31 March 2018 by blythe
Hello David,
Yes, it was actually you who I invited round and JN gatecrashed!! Actually, I remember you saying that JN was staying and you asked if it was OK for hi to come too.
I remembered the similar set ups and yours having Briks.
The fact you now have a 500 running into them suggests you have the passive crossovers for your Briks? Foolishly, I sold mine after I bought the speakers, as I couldn't ever see me turning back to to run them passively...
Yes, the speaker cul-de-sac running active is there, not much choice really!
I don't wish to offend but I'm not 100% sure I enjoy the presentation of the newer kit compared to the slightly "boisterous" nature of the Olive kit I'm used to. I still find there's an excitement in the older kit missing from the new, as far as I've heard.
Soon after you visited, I had the amps re-capped which certainly improved the sound no end. I wish you'd heard the set-up after that service.
I actually played some of Peter Gabriel "Up" on heavyweight vinyl during my auditions at Signals - although I didn't get around to the live Be Bop Deluxe!!
Maybe I should look at getting some NBL passive crossovers and start listening again...
Good to hear from you and thanks for your input.
Martin.
Posted on: 31 March 2018 by mrclick
Very good Martin. If you’re happy with the NBLs moving forward (no reason you shouldn’t be) then running them active makes sense. All the more so if you have no crossovers!
I very nearly did that with the briks. For me passive 500DR pips active 250s in every way but whether it was worth the cost is another debate. I’m not sure it’s critical either way.
You’ll defo enjoy perking up the front end though.
Good listening, as JN always says.
Cheers, David
