Hi-Fi Corner

I am using a 32 at the moment with a an olive hicap and a CB 250. The Snaps connection was replaced with the Hicap capability. Sounds remarkable. Am I getting the most out my Hicap? I read that the only difference between a 32 and 32.5 is that the .5 means that both rails of the hicap are being utilized- one to the phono boards, and one for everything else. I dont use phono...so is my 32 performing at the same level as a 32.5?

Erm....why does my DAC-V1 sound so different after the firmware update?  It's not all in my head, I am sure it's not.  I thought the update was purely to provide DSD support and a couple of other 'features', and I haven't even tried any DSD since I installed the update yesterday evening, but ever since installing when playing PCM in various bit-depths and sample rates, I am consistently struck by a richer and more organic (sorry, don't know how else to describe it) sound.

Hi! Very strange, i realize my system seems better without hicap. More musical, relax and natural without hicap. If add hicap, sound is more hard and tight. Is this normal? Any idea or similar experience? Thanks!

Hi All, I'm in the process of designing a large kitchen / dining room extension and am looking at options for a sound system. I've been looking at Sonos, Muso etc, however I'm really looking for something more Hi-Fi. Ideal world I run 2 pairs of PMC DB1i or similar as these can be wall mounted. I'd run 1 pair at one end, the other mid way up the room. I'm thinking of nDac with 2 x NAP100's if this works. Cable would be Chord custom installation cable in relatively long lengths. I know this...

Hello guys, I am in the market for a turntable and I'm am completely overwhelmed. I have been researching for days and I am no closer to understanding what to look out for. I would like an understanding of whether vintage turntables can actually compete with modern alternatives with their upgrades. Or are modern designs commonly superior in performance? I would prefer a plug and play device so I am leaning towards the Rega turntables but I keep reading that they have a more lean sound which...

I currently run my Naim integrated and CD player from a conventional trailing socket I realise this is not ideal but it is practical Is there a way of improving this economically (less than £100 budget) that will make a significant improvement to sound quality

System: NDS/252/300PS into B&W 804 S Having put on hold the expense of upgrading my speakers I am now re-engaging. Toyed with idea of Magico and Sonus Fabers but moved away from both as result of various demos over the last year. Now considering the recently released Wilson Audio Sabrina and Avalon Transcendent. Will demo the Sabrina soon but not sure I will get a chance to demo the Transcendent. I would be interested to hear any thoughts on either as a pairing to my system... (Switched...

hello experts, I had a first listening sessions at my dealer's last Friday.  I asked him to setup a comparison between : Fact 12, Sopra 2 and 803D3.  three speakers - surely not comparable, but having aroused most of my interest lately.  the dealer was able to setup a rig nearly identical to mine : NDX/XPS/282/HC/250DR/NACA5.  he had no 300DR available. when arriving in the shop, the dealer had moved his 803 to another store and as such I had to settle for an...

i own focal 1038 be speakers . I enquirer of my dealer as to whether the Sopra 2's would be a big upgrade over my current 1038's. I have a really large room and he felt that since the Sopra 2's only have 2 woofers compared to my 3, that even though the 2's would be better that they might not drive the room as well as my 1038's. He said I should wait for the Sopra 3's which should be available by May or June. They will be approx $20,000 in US dollars. No other details were forthcoming. Not...

Good evening all. A week or so ago I asked for some upgrade advice regarding my NAC152/NAP155/FCXS and had a great response which seemed to suggest basically the same. Pleased to announce that my new (second hand!) NAC282/Hicap (non DR)/NAPSC has arrived and is well integrated in the system. The 155 whilst OK is also being replaced and I have just agreed the purchase of a 1 year old NAP250.2 (non DR) to bring everything together, which will arrive in a week or so. First indications of...

Is their such a thing as a run in period for the FC XS. I have about 15 hours on mine.

I have bought a second-hand year-old NAC 282 from a Naim dealer. It was delivered during the week and all appeared to be in good order except that when I went to set up today I found that the link plug between the two top rear power sockets was missing. (I'm sure it was just an oversight and I have emailed to ask for it). I am trying to connect to a Hi-Cap as well as the NASPC. I'm pretty sure I have made all the corrections correctly according to the manual but I am getting an error message...

It's been suggested to me that the Titan 808s will knock the socks off my B&W 802 Diamonds ! So I went along to my dealer to have a listen to the 808's. He has a 552 and an NDS like me, but the best amp he could use was a NAP300 DR. I've tried the 300DR in my own system when I was contemplating swapping my (non-DR) NAP500 for two NAP300DR's... (which all stemmed from the idea of eliminating the link wires from my 802s because you can't get Super lumia link wires, yet? ) and whereas the...

I recently upgraded my pre from a 152x to a nac202 and in doing so, notice a lot more tweeter hiss. There was always a little which is normal, but now I can hear it from the listening spot. It doesn't really bother me as I know its normal, but I was just wondering if anyone knows why switching to this preamp would cause this? TIA

I previously had some concerns about my 250 DR, which I attributed to run in, and after some almost ups and downs during the last 4 months, it sounds like it has come "on song" the last few days. It just is a more engaging to listen to, has plenty of Pace Rhythm and Timing and makes Dance and Rock music sound very fun to listen to. This DR amp has also an "effortless" quality to it, reminds of the flow on live music and analog recorded music, it is just so much easier to hear what is going...

Hello. I need an advice my hi fi system consists of: Naim Nait 5si , Marantz SA8005 Sub Rel T5 cable wireworld oasis rca solstice for speakers. I would change the speakers B&W 685s2 with the dynaudio because I read that sounds more hifi and an excellent coupled with naim. do you think the Dynaudio Excite x18 or x14 are a good match with naim nait 5si. Or else Dynaudio Emit M20? the music I listen to is mostly rock and country, my favorites are Dire Straits, Pink floyd, David Bowie, guns...

Its back! After what seemed like forever, but was a little under 3 weeks, my SNAXO is back, together with 2 new Powerlines and a new Supercap DR. Even from the outset it is sounding great! To recap, my SNAXO is now adjusted for my odd 500/300/500 setup (and left/right channels are no longer switched). My old Olive Supercap is replaced by a new DR model and I have added 2 Powerlines so that the 555, 552 and SNAXO all benefit. What about the sound? Well I finally hear for myself what everyone...

On Saturday 12 th of March AudioXperience welcome you to enjoy Naim's reference amplifications system, Statement. We will be playing a wide selection of music on a fantastic system. Experience music as never before in a great setting and ambiance. ___________________________________ Martijn and Erik from AudioXperience have selected the DCS VIVALDI as a source for this system together with the NADAC DAC. The VIVID Audio GIYA G1 loudspeakers will radiate the pure power and control of...

My system was sounding great last evening, and had apparently gone of the boil  this  evening. A bit lumpy, heavy, congested and shouty. Is it me? I powered down the 500 for a couple of minutes and re-started it. The magic was back. The sound opened-up, smoothed-out and wasn't fat and lumpy any more. Gary (DB) told me about the phenomena of '500 bloat' a long time ago and I was sceptical, but it seems that a prolonged period of continuously powered-up Naim power-supplies can result...

How much would you recommend spending on phonostage with a gyrodec se/nait xs2 system? Is a rega aria, dynavector p75, naim stageline/hicap DR etc. overkill for my system? Is a rega fono or bare naim stageline more appropriate?

I started with the very basic chord rumor, that was a number of years ago, I didn't appreciate the significance of a real quality cable until quite recently, I am now a true convert of high quality speaker cables and interconnects. I have since discovered the sublime tellurium ultra black speaker cables, which are exceptional, I know of course with another large sum of cash greater improvement can be made...so my question is what speaker cable do you use and why?

Hi all, I am trying to find out the dimensions of the n-Sat wall brackets - n-brackets so I can fabricate some as they are no longer available. I posted about this before and it all went a bit Pete Tong because I was told in here that Naim still had some n-brackets, but when I contacted them they said it was Naim Canada who had replied. I then tried to make contact in here, but fell foul of the rules and the thread got deleted (despite doing what Naim told me to do). Anyway another user...

Recent house move and new larger room gave me a severe case of upgraditis. Nothing wrong with my old system (SN2, 2qute, and pmc 20.23) but speakers were starting to feel a little small (bass was all there but somehow sound didn't quite fill the room as I liked). There was also something in the sound that was unforgiving on too many records. So on the advice of the hifi shop I tried a Sugden amp with Hugo TT. It wasn't the revelation I was hoping for. Soundstage improved along with clarity...

Yes I was following the other thread. With great interest as I had just ordered 3m myself. First listen was a few moments ago. Not 7 months run in yet by any means so this is really a first impression. I popped on Keb Mo (Peace etc) on CD. No vinyl as yet. From cold I can follow more detail in the music. The backing vocals in For What It’s Worth; then the muted octave bass stabs in Wake Up Everybody. Great start in my case and if it gets better over time, then excellent. I do expect more...

Hi, everyone. Current system is UQ2 + Nap100 + Focal Aria 906, DNM Reson speaker cable. So... Anyone that got a chance to compare the two speakers in the title? Reviews on the Revels say they dissappear, and have a huge soundstage, and that's the kind of sound I like. But the ATCs are hard to ignore, since their reviews are also stellar, and also I can bi-amp them with my UQ2 + Nap100. I can't audition any of them, the ATC importer only sells online, and the Revel dealer doesn't have the...