| Author |
Thread: Integrated Amp options up to €1000 |
    
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 1
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 03:43 am: |
|
My Creek 4040 has done sterling service for 20+ years but with my acquisition of some new PMC TB2+ speakers (replacing some venerable Heybrook HB1's) I think it's time for an amp upgrade, and I also definitely want remote control of my system.
I used to be a bit of a Hi-Fi nut but I'm completely out of touch with what's on the market these days - this Forum seems an ideal place to get up to speed!
Apart from a great sound (obviously), I have some quite specific other requirements...
1) Must be remote controllable
2) Can't be more than 9cm high including feet, or 40cm deep including connections, width up to 45cm (I have a custom built space for it)
3) Preferrably with BALANCED inputs to take the somewhat unusual balanced feed from my AMC CDM7 CD Player (excellent BTW). I realise this may be an impossible ask - I can't see any integrateds with Balanced inputs.
4) Enough muscle to properly drive a pair of PMC TB2's in my room of 6m x 4m - I want loud, clean power.
5) Available in black
6) Musn't run unreasonably hot
7) Headphone Out
My AMC CDM7 CD Player Player is already fitted with an optional valve output stage so an integrated solid state amp is fine, and besides I haven't really the room to leave enough breathing space for a valve amp as well. From a listening perspective I feel the valve outputs are already imparting a nice musical warmth to my CD's so I don't really need or want an amp with particular 'character' - clean and neutral is my preference.
I don't need or want any fancy features - min 4 inputs and a volume control is all I require! I don't need a phono stage.
Budget... hmmm... I guess €1000 ($1300 or £700) would really be the very maximum I want to spend on this, however I have been looking at what's available a little over that, ie Creek Classic 5350SE and Cyrus 8vs2 and it all looks quite tempting. My last amplifier lasted 20+ years and I am expecting my next one to do the same - for this reason could be persuaded to part with a little more if I felt that was reflected in sound and build-quality.
Your help in compiling a short-list of audition candidates would be much appreciated; from some hours of web research my list so far is:
Cyrus 8vs2
Creek Classic 5350SE
Rega Brio3
Rotel RA- not sure
I would have included the (obviously popular here) NAD C532 but at 10cm it's simply too tall to fit my space allocation. Same for the Music Fidelity A3.5. |
|
Relevant Product Info
|
|
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3634
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Friday, November 03, 2006 - 09:08 am: |
|
Rega Mira 3
Rotel RA 1062 |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 2
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 09:23 am: |
|
I've also realised the...
Naim Nait 5i
...is only just above my budget and although it lacks a headphone socket, my local dealer has one in stock, so I'll be auditioning one next week. It's a perfect fit dimension-wise too and meets my requirements in most other respects. Interesting. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3641
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
|
It's an outstanding amp with the right system. |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 3
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Saturday, November 04, 2006 - 03:52 pm: |
|
Another day of research and my search is narrowing to what's easily available locally and meets my other specs, especially size (see above).
Just a reminder my speakers are the PMC TB2+ which come in at around €1000 ($1280).
BUDGET OPTIONS:
Rotel RA-05 €540 ($680)
Rega Brio 3 €540 ($680)
MID OPTION
Rega Mira 3 €750 ($950)
'PUSHING THE BOAT OUT' (for me!) OPTIONS
Creek Classic 5350SE €1260 ($1600)
Naim Nait 5i €1170 ($1490)
Cyrus 8vs2 €1250 ($1560)
The question then becomes - Is the sound and build quality in the 3rd category roughly twice as good as the 1st, or would the 2nd be a satisfactory halfway house?
Right now I'm leaning towards splashing out on the Naim - I have to say the design and dimensions of it fit best with my exisiting gear, and I've yet to read a negative review or comment anywhere on the sound and build. It certainly inspires confidence in terms of lasting 20 years. Best of all it's available now in a very local dealer.
Anyway - I shall try to get auditions of all of these but it looks like it will be impossible to set-up a proper demo of all of them at once in the same room, let alone my own room.
Meantime please keep the suggestions and opinions coming... |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 4
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 04:48 am: |
|
Another MID OPTION would be the
Cyrus 6vs2 €900 ($1150) |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3646
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 09:19 am: |
|
I did a little research on your speakers and came to this conclusion. They are very efficient well regarded speakers with considerablerespect in GB.
Best budget option = Rega Brio 3
Best amp = Naim Nait 5i
Best Compromise = Rega Mira 3
Have you considered Arcam or Cambridge? Another name that keeps coming up in association with the PMC speakers is Bryston. Remember that both the Rega's and the Naim have sound that some love and some hate. I think that the Brio has a lot of characteristics that might wor well with your speakers. What interconnects and speaker cable are you using? |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 1500
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:17 am: |
|
"Another name that keeps coming up in association with the PMC speakers is Bryston."
I believe that they're sister companies. Bryston makes the amps in the PMC powered monitors. Even if they're not financially related, I believe that they use each other's gear to voice their own products.
The Bryston B60R and B100 are phenominal products and should synergize best with PMC. I don't know about prices and dimensions.
I've also heard that Naim and Rega combine very well with PMC. |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 5
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
|
Hi Art and thanks for being so helpful so far!
You're right about the PMC's, which is why I'm anxious to give them every chance to shine with some decent amplification. It's true that PMC are closely associated with Bryston, but I think the only even vaguely affordable integrated option is the Bryston B-60 SST which seems to come in around €2000 ($2560) without the remote and that really is more than I can stretch to at the present time.
I am using QED 79-strand pink cable - I don't recall the exact specs but I remember being very impressed with the sound and value-for-money (it wasn't that expensive) at the time when I purchased it. All my interconnects I solder and wire myself using Belden cable and Neutrik jacks - I am a studio owner and fully used to doing this for all my cabling needs. Remember that my AMC CD player valve stage has balanced outs on XLR's which then require going to phono - it's not so easy to find this kind of prefabricated lead anyway!
That said, I recently tried some VoVox cable on my microphones and was extremely impressed so I may well give this a run out in my hi-fi system too. If I go for the Naim Nait 5i I may follow convention and grab some of their cable as well if the dealer is feeling generous! |
|
|
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 6
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
|
Summary so far (taking into consideration what I've been able to source locally and fits into a height slot of <9cm!)
BUDGET OPTIONS
Rotel RA-05 €540 / $680
Rega Brio 3 €540 / $680
MID-RANGE OPTIONS
Rega Mira 3 €750 / $950
* Cyrus 6vs2 €900 / $1150
UPPER LIMIT OPTIONS
Creek Classic 5350SE €1260 / $1600
Naim Nait 5i €1170 / $1490
* Cyrus 8vs2 €1250 / $1560
OUT OF SIGHT (for me!) OPTIONS
Bryston B-60 SST €2000 / $2560
* = not actually available yet |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 1501
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
|
James,
I didn't know exactly how much Bryston gear costs. If you're going to run Naim equipment, which is phenominal BTW, the best cables to use are Naim's own and/or Chord. I've heard that Chord's stuff is an improvement at times, but may not be worth the increase in price.
Also, if you're using your AMC CD player, you may want to look into Chord's DIN to RCA cables. The DIN inputs on the Nait are reportedly far superior to the RCA inputs. If you don't know much about DINs, they're similar to XLR in terms of sound quality and electrical properties. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 1502
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:55 am: |
|
Our posts keep crossing, sorry.
The Bryston integrated is probably the best of the bunch, but I don't think it's that much better than the Nait 5i. For about $1000 less, the Nait 5i would be a no brainer for me. IMO, their are very few intergateds that sound better, regardless of price The only better ones I've heard are Bryston and McIntosh, and they're significantly more money. |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 7
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 11:57 am: |
|
Thanks for the input Stu!
I should add that I fear a really good amp will probably reveal weaknesses in my (essentially fairly budget) AMC CD Player so I am looking at amplifiers with half an eye on those with matching CD players that I could upgrade to at some point in the future when funds allow. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3647
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 01:06 pm: |
|
I think that the Creek and Cyrus are more similar to Bryston than Rega or Naim which bear some sonic resemblance to each other. Obviously I think that the Mira 3 (or Brio 3) Apollo combo are fabulous so to is the Naim Nait 5i and the matching CD player. The Naim combo costs considerably more and yields just a bit more performance (principle of diminishing returns and all that you know). I'm not sure that the Cyrus and Creek wouldn't more closely resemble the gear that the speakers were voiced with...hmmm.
Cabling is key with Naim and Rega. Stick with Naim (or Chord) cables with Naim and Chord with Rega. I found that the $25 Naim power cord really enhances the performance of the Rega Mira 3 and so it would likely have a similar effect on the Brio. The Brio really is a giant killer. If I didn't have a store credit to use I would likely have bought it and not the Mira 3 and saved a few nickels.
You really need to hear your speakers with several of these amps to make an educated decision. If that's not possible then check their return policy. |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 8
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 02:03 pm: |
|
>> If you don't know much about DINs...
LOL! I know all about DINs Stu as my original Creek 4040 has them!
I just never imagined that after 23 years I might be upgrading to an amp that still has those!
Anyway, so I already have DIN-RCA adapters, good QED ones too - one more reason I am perhaps pre-destined to become a Naim owner! |
New member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 9
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 04:08 pm: |
|
Hmm... the picture just got a little cloudier, but kind of in a nice way!
I have just inherited a practically new NAD C370!
I've hooked it up and it sounds simply great - at least a mile better than I'm used to as the bass in particular has tightened up no end and the PMC's seem much happier with more drive behind them.
However, in terms of my keeping it there are two problems:
1) It's far too big (tall) for the slot I have for it
2) It's waaay more power than I need really in my small apartment - if I twist the volume to 9 o-clock the walls start to shake and the entire neighbourhood reverberates!
Given that it cost me precisely nothing it seems a shame I can't take advantage somehow.
Decisions, decisions... |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 4510
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 04:31 pm: |
|
JL, make space for it! |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 3653
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 06:36 pm: |
|
Ditto...after all you control the volume, better too much power than too little. |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 11
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 03:31 pm: |
|
Well - thanks to the extremely comprehensive design of the NAD C370 I've found a way to deal with the overpowering issue. The C370 has a parallel Pre-Amp 2 output with a continuously variable attenuation pot (down to -12dB) at the rear, designed for use with bi-amping or a sub. So I just switched the jumpers over from the default Pre-Amp 1 output to the Main Power Amp input, engaged some heavy attenuation and voila - I can now use the main volume knob over 50% of it's travel instead of 10% which gives me much more resolution, finer control and doesn't blow the windows with the slightest tweak!
I don't think this amp is going anywhere soon - it's just far too good on both sound and features to pass up, especially when I got it for a song! My PMC's seem to love it too!
The only 'problem' left is having to rebuild my bookshelves to accommodate it, but somehow I think I'm gonna find a way now! |
New member Username: Cbowkett
Post Number: 5
Registered: Oct-06
|
| Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 04:54 pm: |
|
James -- sorry for the newbie question -- but how do you "engage heavy attenuation" and why does that provide finer resolution at lower volume?
I find I have low resolution at low volumes on my Cambridge 340a combined with MA RS6s, and wonder if this may help me.
Thanks |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 12
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 01:13 pm: |
|
I thought I'd update anyone who's listening how I'm getting on with all this...
I now have in my room:
- AMC CD7 CDM7 Player (with optional MD5403 Vacuum Tube DAC Module stage)
- NAD C370 Amplifier (inherited 2nd-hand)
- PMC TB2+ Speakers
- QED 79 Purple speaker cable (very short runs, ie 1.5m) and home-made inter-connects
Now the PMC's are starting to loosen up and the NAD is warming up (after having sat unused for at least 3+ years) the sound is just getting better and better! What I am hearing is a crystal-clear sound that has a really nice tonal balance across the whole spectrum - nothing stands out or seems over-pushed. The bass is full and extremely well-controlled while the highs are smooth, smooth, smooth even on some really difficult and screechy Swedish pipe music - this has much to do with the very nice new PMC tweeter, as well as an amp that is not pushing anything in any way. My 8yr-old AMC CD player has certainly never sounded better and I am in much less of a hurry to upgrade it than I was a week ago!
I also have power - loads of it - obscene amounts actually, given that I live in an apartment block - more than I will ever, ever need unless I move into a warehouse! However, once I figured out the trick of switching the jumpers feeding the C370 Power Amp to the attenuatable (is that a word?) C370 Pre Out2 circuit I am able to maintain a more sensible range of travel on the volume knob - a clever little trick indeed, that basically means you can effectively match the massively over-specced and robust C370 to a much smaller system. (One tiny note - the heat dissipation increases slightly because as you attenuate the pre output the power amp has to work harder.)
The C370 is extremely quiet both operationally and acoustically, which cannot be said of all gear - comes with the vast power transformer I guess. Other pluses are the comprehensive remote, the headphone output and the tone controls which for the time being I do actually need to engage on some types of music for reasons I give below. It does run rather hot and thus needs plenty of dead space above it, in fact you are not recommended to stack this monster amp with anything else at all - see below for more on this.
I'm really aware now that the principal remaining problems in my listening experience have FAR more to do with my room than anything to do with the gear. I don't think I'm going to be upgrading anything else now until I've solved a boomy bass problem by getting some better stands and adding some bass traps in the corners of the room. Until then I'm quite glad of the NAD's bass-cut control, although there's a clearly audible difference when it's engaged and I'm looking forward to the day when I won't need it. I have also added some pricey Linn Skeet 'feet' for my current (and wholly inadequate) speaker stands, as the floor in this place is parquet and obviously won't take a spike.
I also still have a slight ergonomics problem in that I was originally seeking an amp that would fit into a slot of <9cm tall and the C370 is 14cm+ and also needs a significant amount of ventilation space above it (in fact there's an announcement on the NAD website about potential over-heating problems of this amp.) However - I'm rethinking things and I have a feeling I'll be able to make this work somehow as I am loathe to downgrade the superbly balanced (and free!) amplification upgrade I have now in favour of pure convenience and looks.
I still plan to head on down to the dealer and check out some Naim gear and have a general chat about perhaps a longer term upgrade. He's also a Pro-Ac dealer so I'm quite interested to see how my PMC's stack up against these too! |
New member Username: Quaintdreamer
Trivandrum
India
Post Number: 7
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Saturday, December 02, 2006 - 02:10 pm: |
|
hi, has anyone tried wharfedale 9.6 with naim nait 5i? |
New member Username: Mitch_manning
Brighton
United Kingdom
Post Number: 1
Registered: Oct-07
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 07:20 am: |
|
hi,
i am a newbie in the ways of "good" hi-fi, but after hearing a pair of Totem Hawks driven by some nice naim equipment, needless to say i am now hooked
i have a fairly reasonable HT set-up in my living room but want to set up a dedicated listening room, i was thinking:
naim cd 5i £725*
naim nait 5i £625*
Totem Hawks £2000
i know that choosing the entry level naim equipment limits my upgrade options but that said this is all i can afford to spend on "toys" right now. i have also heard very good things about some of NAD's intergrated amps, the C-352 in particular, how does this stand up to the nait 5i?
Any help suggestions would be greatly appricaited
*prices agreed with local dealer |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2183
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 09:57 am: |
|
The 352 is completely different than the Nait. The Nait is light years ahead of the 352 IMO. While the 352 is good in its own right, if you're hooked on the Naim sound, NAD will be a big let down.
I don't know if the Nait is powerful enough for the Hawks. Does you dealer suggest the combo? Frank Abela who is a regular here and a Naim guru (he's a part-time dealer) should have some very good insight, as he knows both lines very well.
Have you tried the Totem Arro? |
New member Username: Mitch_manning
Brighton
United Kingdom
Post Number: 2
Registered: Oct-07
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:09 am: |
|
thanks Stu,
haha thats what i was thinking everything i've read about the nait seems to be very good. I think my mind is pretty set on the naim set up, well while i gather the funds for the hawks i will be using the nait with a pair of dreamcatchers, if the nait won't be powerful enough would you suggest getting a power amp to go with it? i have heard the arro's they are impressive specially for the size!! but i'm pretty set on the hawks after hearing them. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2184
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 10:51 am: |
|
You can't run an external amp with the Nait. It doesn't have a pre-out/main in loop. The Nait 5 did, but the current Nait 5i doesn't have this provision. |
New member Username: Mitch_manning
Brighton
United Kingdom
Post Number: 3
Registered: Oct-07
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 11:10 am: |
|
ah i wasn't aware of that, as i said i'm new to this but keen to learn!! u really think the nait will not be powerful enough to drive the Hawks, i know the nait is only 50Wpc the room they will be in is quite small (4m x 6m) and as i live in an apartment i won't be able to drive them too hard anyway, the arrows may end up being a better choice, i was really impressed by the hawks though:/ |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2185
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 01:14 pm: |
|
I'm really not sure. I know very little about the Hawks. I've heard them once or twice, but don't know what they require as far as power is concerned. Totems in general aren't very easy to drive. I'm not sure what type of load they would present to a Nait.
If the same dealer carries Naim and Totem, ask them their opinion. I'm sure they've tried the combination a few times.
Frank Abela should be around some time to give an opinion. |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 15
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 12:09 am: |
|
I've held off upgrading my system until I'd put some acoustic treatment in my room. I did this with the aid of RealTraps USA and the difference has been remarkable, but it consumed most of my last year's hi-fi budget!
But with my room acoustics sounding a whole lot more under control, I'm confident that a hardware upgrade is now much more worth it.
Inevitably my thoughts (and available budget) are turning back to the Naim, especially as my AMC CD Player is becoming increasingly unreliable. My local dealer is 'strongly encouraging' me to go for the Naim 5i/CD5 combo so let's just say I'm seriously thinking about it again as an early Christmas present to myself. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2448
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
|
Mitch,
I'll be honest and say I've never tried Hawks on the end of a Nait5i since we would not normally put together that combination on the source first principle. Of course, since you've fallen for the Hawks (and who wouldn't?) and they're actually not that difficult to drive, I imagine the Nait5i should be able to drive them reasonably well. The 5i can drive both Dreamcatchers and Arros pretty well, and Hawks are not that easy to drive but not a million miles from Arros...
You're really going to have to listen to the combination to see what you think.
Regards,
Frank. |
New member Username: Mitch_manning
Brighton
United Kingdom
Post Number: 4
Registered: Oct-07
|
| Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 11:49 am: |
|
thanks frank,
I dropped past my local dealer, they had the 5i connected to some naim floorstanders and it seemed to drive them well enough, he thinks for the relativly small size of the room (4m x 6m) there shouldn't be any problems at all. He is setting up the system for me to hav a listen on saturday(luckaly the demo room is almost the exact dimentions of my room), i will make my decision then, think i'm going to get the new cd5i (with the italic "i"lol) aswell.
Many thanks |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2454
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 01:31 pm: |
|
Mitch,
Enjoy. Naim's speakers tend to be easier to drive than Totems. All Naim speakers are 8 ohm impedance and rarely go below 5 ohms. See what happens in the demo and try those floorstanders again. Incidentally, if they were Allaes (curved top) you should defniitely compare them to Hawks. Very fast, very entertaining and real power to boot. They're a little more expensive than the Hawks but not by much I think.
Regards
Frank. |
Silver Member Username: Chicomoralessxm
Dutch isles
Caribbean
Post Number: 196
Registered: Feb-07
|
| Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 11:32 pm: |
|
Well just wondering guys is the Vincent Audio brand any good? Wondering how it compares to something like creek? or rega |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 17
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 03:40 pm: |
|
Well, I started this thread over a year ago and wrote:
>> I still plan to head on down to the dealer and check out some Naim gear and have a general chat about perhaps a longer term upgrade.
So, after much scrimping and saving last year I am now in a position for that 'longer term upgrade' so I have ordered not only the Naim Nait 5i but the companion CD5i as well (my existing CD player has more or less died). I'm getting a good deal on the two together.
Needless to say I am breathless with anticipation for the arrival of my new Naim source/amp combo to drive my wonderful PMC TB2's. I've been interested in Hi-Fi for 20 years and always bought the best system I can afford, but I've lacked the funds to go truly high-end - for me, Naim has always represented that so I hope that my substantial investment in them will last me for the next 20 years.
I will say once again, for anyone still reading, that the borrowed NAD C370 amp I've been making use of this past year has been nothing less than very impressive. I am now obviously moving up a level to my new all-Naim system, but all the same I can't honestly say I have out-grown this beefy and very clean-sounding old NAD amp that I shall endeavour to find a good home for!
I've done a lot of reading on this Forum, learned a lot and have found you all extremely helpful - please all still be around in 20 years when I'll be upgrading again! ;-)
Watch this space for my reactions once my new gear is delivered and safely installed here! |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2392
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 04:05 pm: |
|
I'm looking forward to it James. I'm in the same boast as you are with saving up money for what seems like forever for upgrades.
Since you've started this thread, I've bought a Rega Apollo and Bryston B60 (used). Currently saving up for a pair of PMC TB2+.
After that, perhaps a Rega P5? It never ends. |
Gold Member Username: Nuck
Post Number: 9601
Registered: Dec-04
|
| Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 - 06:37 pm: |
|
Very good, James!
Keep posting. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2642
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 09:33 am: |
|
James,
If you've only just ordered the pair and they're coming to you brand new from Naim, you should receive the newer italic upgraded versions. Both CD player and amp have been reworked. The CD5i player is a significant upgrade o the older CD5i and the new Nait 5i seems a bit cleaner and more capable. As a pairing they're really very good indeed. I got a wonderful sound of them into a pair of Rainmakers the other day. If you're wondering how to tell, they're marked up as the CD5i-2 and Nait 5i-2 on the back I believe.
One caveat however, please buy Naim's own speaker cable to finish the job properly. It really is a lot better than QED 79-strand in pretty much any way you can think of. The amplifier comes with a pair of Naim SA8 speaker plugs so all you need to pay for is termination and a set of plugs on the speaker side. Also, and this is much more important than may appear, I believe the TB2+ is a biwireable speaker. Don't biwire (naim recommend against this), but do take off the brass links and replace them with little snips of the Naim wire, or if you're really broke, little snips of your now defunct QED cable (but that's really only if you're absolutely skint).
Regards,
Frank. |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 18
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 01:16 am: |
|
Yes - just to confirm, my dealer said I'd be receiving the v2 of both these products but at last year's prices which makes me smile!
I do plan on upgrading my cables, but I may not be able to afford what I want just yet. The dealer is doing a 'home-install' for me and he's bringing some different cables along to try out, with a view to me ordering some within the next month or so.
Will report back. |
Gold Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 5978
Registered: Feb-05
|
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 01:43 am: |
|
Congrats on some very awesome gear James! |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2648
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 12:59 pm: |
|
Well James, there are only two options in my view. The Naim CD player comes with its own interconnect so that's sorted. It's an itzy-bitzy cable but it is the best cable musically other than Naim's own HiLine at just ... wait for it ... $1000. To me there is only one speaker cable option and that's Naim's NACA5 which is not cheap at the equivalent of $20/m but not exactly expensive either. That said, I know that a lot of dealers in the US try to use after market cables such as Chord, Kimber, Siltech etc. It may be because the US musical taste is generally different, preferring a warmer presentation, but it could also be just a matter of economics. Over here in the UK, I never sell any Naim system (including the top of the range amps at $40,000) with anything but NACA5. |
Bronze Member Username: James_lehmann
Post Number: 19
Registered: Nov-06
|
| Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 01:35 pm: |
|
Thanks Frank and everyone for the advice.
Fortunately, my system ergonomics mean my cable runs are very short - like 2.5m per side - so I think I can scrape together the extra $100 for 5m of the Naim NACA5 cables.
For some reason I thought I'd probably need to spend a lot more on cables but $100 is indeed manageable, even though I'm already seriously stretching my finances in treating myself to this rather special system.
Oh well, whatever else 2008 holds for me, it's sure going to be full of some pretty awesome Naim sounds!
The Gear should be here by the end of the month! :-) |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt
Irvington,
New York
USA
Post Number: 2396
Registered: May-05
|
| Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 05:40 pm: |
|
Another way you'll be saving money is on interconnects. Naim includes a DIN cable with all their sources. As Frank stated, they're really only improved on by Naim's HiLine. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2663
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 02:24 pm: |
|
James, I don't want to push you too far, but if you could manage a little more length on the cable (3.5m per side) it seems to improve the sound that little bit. If it's a step too far then so be it, but if you can, do it. |
Bronze Member Username: Scorpio1
Philadelphia,
PA
USA
Post Number: 52
Registered: Nov-07
|
| Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 11:30 am: |
|
Frank, Stu, Art, Everyone....
Can you offer some suggestions higher up the JM Labs Focal line that would match up very well the new Nait 5i-2 integrated?
I could probably stretch my budget to no more than $2500-$3000. Thanks. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 2679
Registered: Sep-04
|
| Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 12:09 pm: |
|
Ed
Some people like the Focal 800 series but I have difficulties with that range because it seems to set off our demo room. Therefore, you'd be looking at the larger Focal 716V. I would not go to the 726V because it has a bit of a nasty dip in impedance.
Other speakers that work well with this amplifier would be:
Totem Rainmakers (a very good match)
Dynaudio Audience 52 and 52SE (again a very good match)
B&W 684 and possibly 683 (but demo before you buy)
Neat Acoustics Motive 1 or 2 (big following)
Neat Acoustics Momentum 3i (I haven't tried them but intrigued)
Naim's own n-Sat (involving but limited bass, needs rear wall)
Ex-demo Naim Arivas (recently discontinued but good fun)
Something from PMC
Something from ProAc
Something from ATC (entry level)
Something from Monitor Audio (if you have to)
Regards,
Frank. |
|
|
