What to do with £20,00 you haven't got!

Posted by: Alley Cat on 29 September 2018

There's a part of me that's tempted to audition an ND 555, knowing full well from comments to date that my jaw will drop and I won't be able to resist.

My Uniti Nova continues to impress (at least on older firmware 2.3.8574) as an all in one package despite having some decent older Naim kit.

The streaming section is good, but my LP12 generally outperforms the streamer for enjoyment and certainly complex material can sound muddled, but simple acoustic stuff is superb.

A few weeks ago I borrowed an NDX 2, NAC 282, NAP 250 DR, NAP 300D, Hi-Cap DR to try various combinations with old/new kit.

I've generally always preferred my Nova via an old NAP 250 compared to the built-in pre-power section, though that has better high frequency reproduction possibly due to the NAP 250 needing a service.

Nova via 250 DR was stunning compared to olice NAP 250, though could not easily compare 300DR due to need for external pre-amp/PSUs - this is where the Nac 282 came in, and I quickly saw my Nac 72 had issues (static/popping noises) and is overdue a service.

The huge performance boost to me was the NDX 2 - source first mantra, admittedly via a Nac 282 - but for the cost I suspect an NDX 2 with Supernait 2 (which I've never heard) could potentially be a killer combination - would love to know if anyone has tried this.

If I went for current Naim source perfection with an ND 555 it could work with my old NAC 72/Olive 250s/active SBLS or passive Epos speakers, though I would need to service several of the older items (NAC 72, NAXO, 2xNAP 250, a few Hi-Caps), but I strongly suspect the Nac 72 would be the limiting factor, as much as it was perfect with a NAP 250 to play vinyl via a virtually fully specced LP12 20 years ago. Mullet I hear you call, but I suspect my LP12 was the ND 555 equivalent then.

While I could certainly finance many purchases, I'm thinking along the lines of:

NDX 2, serviced NAC 72, serviced NAP 250 or new NAP 250 DR as the cheapest option with/without Nova trade-in.

NDX 2 , NAC 282, serviced NAP 250 or new NAP 250 DR.

Realistically I always hankered after a NAC 52, so NDX 2, NAC 252/Supercap 2, serviced NAP 250 or new NAP 250 DR would be a fantastic upgrade, and allow non-mullet transition to an ND 555 or equivalent in a year or so without too much loss on a trade-in NDX 2.

Too many options, no shortcuts or cheap options I fear, and that's without considering different speakers.

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by Suzy Wong

Not going to get a lot for £20,00.........

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by gramophone

Ive got a Star and like you a 250 working with it. I had mine DR'd for £1250 (the guys make it good as new).

If your 250 is a 3 panel (i.e. the fascia) version you can get the upgrade and don't need to fork out for a new model.

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by TallGuy

I’d probably be on the phone to Dominos with £20.00 to spare

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by yeti42

Add it to the £20 you have got and get a half decent bottle of malt. I’m enjoying Glen Scotia at the moment which comes within budget.

Can you stretch to an ND555 now and still have something to play it through? If the amswer is no don’t listen to one.

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by Mulberry

From all the different things in your inventory I only know the ES 14, which is a nice speaker.

Having said that, your own thoughts of “NDX 2, serviced NAC 72 and serviced NAP 250” ans a serviced Hi-Cap into the Epos speakers popped into my mind. That should be a nice system with several easy ways (555 PS, ND555, 82, 52, 252) to upgrade, if you want to.

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by lyndon

Hi ALLEY CAT

i can’t recommend the 52 high enough and preferably with a 52PS and not a S/cap

if you are going down the digital front end then obviously push as high as poss but try to have a balance so NDS or NDX

A S/H 300 gives you the option of DRing later

obviously cables are going to make a serious impact at this level, might be something to think about rather than do right now

lyndon

Posted on: 29 September 2018 by nigelb

I will admit now, I am not familiar with your Olive kit but am familiar with all the Classic kit you mention except the new streamers.

Now might be the time to make the move from Olive to Classic. I realise you have budgetary constraints, indeed don't the vast majority of us. But there are some Classic bargains to be had at the moment, namely NDX, NDS and pre loved XPSDRs, 282s, HiCapDRs or SuperCapDRs and 250DRs. You could of course start a little lower and go NDX (bare) into Supernait for example. You could just get yourself a Star or Nova but I suspect you would soon look to upgrade and that is a bit of a dead end route.

If it were me and assuming it is within budget and assuming you could get this all pre loved form a dealer, I would go NDX/XPSDR/282/HiCapDR/250DR into your exiting speakers. You will of course need a bit more than £20.00 but nowhere near £20k. Sorry, could't resist. Depending on age, I would guess £9k to £11k.

I am not sure where you are based but there is a dealer in St. Albans that has the largest and finest selection of pre-loved Classic Naim gear on the planet. Most of my current system has been built with their help and access to pre-loved gear.

Hope no forum rules have been broken here.

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by Alley Cat

gramophone posted:
Ive got a Star and like you a 250 working with it. I had mine DR'd for £1250 (the guys make it good as new).
If your 250 is a 3 panel (i.e. the fascia) version you can get the upgrade and don't need to fork out for a new model.

Unfortunately both my 250s are Olive models so DR upgrade not possible.

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by Alley Cat

Suzy Wong posted:
Not going to get a lot for £20,00.........

If you're talking Naim gear then no.....

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by Alley Cat

yeti42 posted:
....Can you stretch to an ND555 now and still have something to play it through? If the amswer is no don’t listen to one.

Potentially yes, but in all honesty there are several other things domestic things a normal person would spend their dosh on first, but this accursed hi-fi affliction warps your priorities !

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by True Blue

£20 wow well personally I would buy a couple of cds

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by Alley Cat

nigelb posted:
I will admit now, I am not familiar with your Olive kit but am familiar with all the Classic kit you mention except the new streamers.
Now might be the time to make the move from Olive to Classic. I realise you have budgetary constraints, indeed don't the vast majority of us. But there are some Classic bargains to be had at the moment, namely NDX, NDS and pre loved XPSDRs, 282s, HiCapDRs or SuperCapDRs and 250DRs. You could of course start a little lower and go NDX (bare) into Supernait for example. You could just get yourself a Star or Nova but I suspect you would soon look to upgrade and that is a bit of a dead end route.
If it were me and assuming it is within budget and assuming you could get this all pre loved form a dealer, I would go NDX/XPSDR/282/HiCapDR/250DR into your exiting speakers. You will of course need a bit more than £20.00 but nowhere near £20k. Sorry, could't resist. Depending on age, I would guess £9k to £11k.
I am not sure where you are based but there is a dealer in St. Albans that has the largest and finest selection of pre-loved Classic Naim gear on the planet. Most of my current system has been built with their help and access to pre-loved gear.
Hope no forum rules have been broken here.

Many thanks Nigel.

I actually have a Nova already - I had some work done at the house, we moved out and I stuck a load of older hi-fi in storage - when we moved back I got an Atom really as a lifestyle all in one as we were very busy and it took me some time to find let alone get the older kit out of storage (the SBLs are still there). Atom had a display fault within a few days of purchase so just had to listen to the Nova which had become available at the store.

The SBLs are actually part of the problem - if I want to keep the active option I'm going to need 2 power amps going forwards - I'm really not sure what I could replace these with to run active now that Naim have stopped making

Equally I'm a hoarder and not good at disposing of/selling on old items that cost a packet in their day !

'Pre-loved' kit does seem a good option to consider - I wouldn't use e-bay or anything like that so a good dealer with stock would be a necessity though might involve some travelling to get the items.

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by Alley Cat

Suzy Wong posted:
Not going to get a lot for £20,00.........

Missing zero blush now I get the £20.00 comments crazy

Just figured £20k would be the outlay for the ND 555 with 555 PS DR, so how else would spend tha for a better balanced system!

Posted on: 30 September 2018 by French Rooster

ndx2/xpsdr/282/supercap/250dr -nova should give around 20k. One of the best naim system, very well balanced. It would be my choice. Or nds, 555ps, 252, 250, second hand.