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  1. #26
    I took a headstart... basite's Avatar
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    congrats, we'll be waiting for pics


    Keep them spinning,
    Bert.
    Life is music!

    Mcintosh MA6400 Integrated
    Double Advent speakers
    Thiel CS2.3's
    *DIY Lenco L75 TT
    * SME 3012 S2
    * Rega RB-301
    *Denon DL-103 in midas body
    *Denon DL-304
    *Graham slee elevator EXP & revelation
    *Lehmann audio black cube SE
    Marantz CD5001 OSE
    MIT AVt 2 IC's
    Sonic link Black earth IC's
    Siltech MXT New york IC's
    Kimber 4VS speakercable
    Furutech powercord and plugs.

    I'm a happy 20 year old...

  2. #27
    Forum Regular O'Shag's Avatar
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    Elapsed,


    Naim Nait 5i - really cool! Your system is very nice. Looks like a great room to kick back in and enjoy the music. If I might suggest an upgrade. You are using the QED Silver Anniversary XT, and that is excellent wire - I know because I graduated from the regular SA to the XT. If you want a real kick in the pants, move up to the Genesis Silver Spiral bi-wire. I just got my 7' pair. Bloody awesome! By the way - you may have been following the MLS soccer, and what about that wonderful new team Toronto FC? I find them so inspiring, and its great to see how the whole city fof Toronto is supporting them. They looked brilliant against Aston Villa (English Premier League side). Mo Johnston has done a great job putting that team together. I love to see Canada get stuck in to the soccer!!
    Last edited by O'Shag; 07-26-2007 at 01:19 PM.

  3. #28
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by elapsed
    Does the grill come off? I'm nervous to give it a strong tug, would be curious to see how this looks..!
    I apologize for the late reply.

    Yeah, that thing is on there pretty snug. How are you enjoying it? I ended up selling mine on Agon for $400. T-3 was great with my bookshelf speakers, but I no longer have need for it.

    Sounds like we are both enjoying our upgrades.Be sure to let us know about your phono stage. Do you plan to power it with your integrated amp?


  4. #29
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by O'Shag
    Naim Nait 5i - really cool! Your system is very nice. Looks like a great room to kick back in and enjoy the music. If I might suggest an upgrade. You are using the QED Silver Anniversary XT, and that is excellent wire - I know because I graduated from the regular SA to the XT. If you want a real kick in the pants, move up to the Genesis Silver Spiral bi-wire. I just got my 7' pair. Bloody awesome!
    Agreed, the QED Silver Anniversary XT is excellent wire! But I'm trading for Naim NACA5 cabling on Saturday, and already traded one of my QED Qunex 1 interconnects for a Naim SNAIC interconnect (which is a DIN as opposed to an RCA cable). As Naim is typically build as a system, I may as well go for full system synergy. I'll let you know how the cables compare!

  5. #30
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jrhymeammo
    I apologize for the late reply.

    Yeah, that thing is on there pretty snug. How are you enjoying it? I ended up selling mine on Agon for $400. T-3 was great with my bookshelf speakers, but I no longer have need for it.

    Sounds like we are both enjoying our upgrades.Be sure to let us know about your phono stage. Do you plan to power it with your integrated amp?

    Agreed, really enjoyed the REL T3. Interestingly enough, my dealer wants to drop by and connect the REL directly to the woofer on the other side of the coil in my speakers, in order to get the subwoofer in phase with my speakers. Still debating if I want to go this route, I'd be a bit nervous to perform this upgrade without first hearing the results. In any case, I'm likely to go back to a 2.0 system.

    But I am doing one upgrade on my speakers, my dealer has ordered me a bigger coil, different capacitor, and different damping. I heard the upgraded speakers on Tuesday, absolutely love the sound! Only $100 for the upgrade, I can't go wrong.

  6. #31
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by elapsed
    Only $100 for the upgrade, I can't go wrong.
    Seriously. I can't remember the last time I upgraded my speakers for that amount.

    I need to get in on this magic capacitors can offer. I should get my HCA-2 modified and see what it can do. Maybe I should change the cross over on my Maggies.

    I think you'll be happier going back to 2.0. I got sick of messing with it. Next thing I knew, I wasnt enjoyiong music. Just playing music to toy with my sub....

    Let me guess....Incognito?

    JRA

  7. #32
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jrhymeammo
    I think you'll be happier going back to 2.0. I got sick of messing with it. Next thing I knew, I wasnt enjoyiong music. Just playing music to toy with my sub....
    Exactly, I spend all of my time adjusting the subwoofer and worrying about the bass level so that I don't bug my neighbours!

    One of the things that really appeals to me about the Naim systems is that I can sit back and just enjoy the music, without worrying about cabling, upgrades, specs, and all that silly nonesense. I love the sound, I've finally found a system I can just enjoy for the music, without getting caught up in analyzing every aspect of the components.

  8. #33
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    I'm certain that you'll have a great synergy between your components.
    Let us know how you like the analog setup once you get it spinning. Now, that is worth fiddling around.

    Peace

  9. #34
    If you can't run-walk. Bernd's Avatar
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    No time....

    ...like the present or so it seems.
    Congrats on the new amp. As you have found out Naim gear works best with one another. Much better within a Naim system then outside of it. If you like the Naim sound-great. Enjoy. But I would stay well clear of Naim Speakers. Never heard a decent one yet.And your speakers look good.
    As for Vinyl, yes it can get expensive, but the musical rewards are great. Again I have not heard a CDP that plays music like my TT. Try and listen to a couple of Phono amps before settling on the Naim. You might like to try a Valve Phono as an all Naim system can sound a bit cold and lacking in musicality. Great PRAT though. But only you will know what sort of sound you like.
    I reckon you have bought well with the Rega and the Dyna. Those two items really gel and work great together. On top of that the Rega TT and arm can be tweaked a lot to get much more out of it.
    Looking forward to hearing how you get on and seeing some more of your excellent photos.
    Enjoy and have a great weekend.

    Peace

    "Let The Earth Bear Witness."

  10. #35
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    Way to go! It's nice when you get your system the way you want to hear it. A lot can be said for synergy.


    Be sure to comment on your turntable some day, I've been thinking of trying that particular cart next on my P3.

  11. #36
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Finally received my new Naim Stageline and Flatcap power supply. I'm in audio heaven! System now consists of:

    Speakers: Fidelity Acoustics RFM-2
    Integrated Amp: Naim Nait 5i
    CD Player: Naim CD5i
    Turntable: Rega Planar 3 w/ motor upgrade
    Phono Cartridge: Dynavector 10x5
    Phono Plugs: Eichmann Bullets
    Phono Stage: Naim Stageline w/ FlatCap 2x
    LP Brush: Goldring Super Exstatic
    Network Music Player: Squeezebox 3
    Interconnects: Naim SNAIC, QED Qunex 1
    Speaker Cabling: Naim NACA5
    Shelving: Quadraspire Q4 maple
    TV: Sharp Aquos LC-37D62U
    Remote: Logitech Harmony 880
    Surge Protector: Belkin SurgeMaster HD

    Also picked up the new M.I.A., fantastic album, highly recommend


  12. #37
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    Good deal, glad to hear you got your system the way you want. I'm thinking of trying that Dynavector for my next cartridge. Have you ever compared it to a Rega cart?

  13. #38
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    The Dynavector 10x5 is my first cart, I bought it based on countless recommendations on the Naim forum. I purchased both the Planar 3 and Dynavector cart used from a Cyrus dealer here in Vancouver who was previously a serious Naim gearhead but jumped ship. Unfortunately didn't have the opportunity to audition any other carts, though my Naim dealer was recommending an Elys cartridge.

  14. #39
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    I have to laugh, the Elys is my first cartridge on my P3. I guess if either of us change or get a chance to compare we'll have to share notes.

  15. #40
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    I took a big leap of faith this afternoon, traded up my Naim CD5i for a CD5x, which is powered by my Naim FlatCap-2x power supply. Biggest purchase I've ever made, aside from my condo and car. I'm absolutely astounded at the difference a source can make, I'm beginning to understand the whole Naim "Source First" approach. All I can say is... wow, wow, WOW.

    PS - also demo'd a Naim CDS3 over the weekend with a Naim XPS2 power supply. Essentially a $17,000 CD Player, connected to Naim Nait5i integrated ($1,500). Absolutely unreal experience. But the level of insanity over the price of this CDP is mind boggling. I guess you could argue the CD5x is also insane.

  16. #41
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Congrats on your upgrade!!

    Man, it's about time I upgraded something. But I had to replace a pair of tires today..

    How does CD5x differ from CD5i?

  17. #42
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    I'm no audiophile, just a music lover, so it's hard for me to describe how it sounds, it's more of a feeling. Everything sounds just right. Detail is enhanced without distracting from the music, the player adds tons of warmth, my entire living room now becomes a stage. Listening to music through this CD Player is an experience in itself.

    Before demo'ing the CD5i vs CD5x with FlatCap I didn't believe one CD Player could be dramatically better than another, I was more inclined to first upgrade the pre and power. The CD5x has changed my opinion altogether on what Redbook CD is capable of, I highly recommend this CD Player.

  18. #43
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    Congrads on the new addition. I'm also glad to have at least one person here besides myself who understands the importance of the source. Most here are from the school speaker is the most important link and fail to understand that changing speakers just let you hear the same bad signal a different way, you have to upgrade your source to gain any real improvement in sound quality or quality content. $17k into a Nait would be a little extreme but what your doing with the 5x is cool.

    About ten years ago I had a CD player go out and I was shopping to replace it. I had already stumbled into this high end shop and had my eyes opened to where hi fi can go. So I went back when I needed a player. I started looking at an Arcam Alpha 6 but the guy kept dropping my disc in an 8, then a 9, each time I was amazed at the difference I heard. I ended up ordering a 9. So even when I eventually upgraded.my amp or whatever, I've always had a high end CD player on the front end. I went from the Alpha 9 to a Krell 250, then a 280cd and now I'm using a separate transport to an Audio Note DAC.

    Back in the 80's I worked for a retail/distributor, one day I walked into the service shop where they had a pair of inexpensive Kenwood speakers they used for the test bench all the time, I was talking and all the sudden sound came through the speakers that sounded so good I couldn't believe it. I asked what they were doing, they had a beautiful McIntosh tube amp hooked to them. That was my first taste of true high end gear. I never forgot though how good that entry level pair of speakers sounded with good gear. I feel you need a reasonable balance in all your components capability but if I'm going to be off balance anywhere, the source will have the emphasis.

  19. #44
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    The upgrade bug has hit again.. I've traded in my integrated amp towards separates! My Nait 5i has been now been retired in favour of a brand new NAC-122x preamp and NAP-150x poweramp. My last upgrade for the year, I now have a fully balanced system. Still warming up, but she sounds absolutely fantastic.

    Pictures soon to come, I'm still waiting for my Chord Crimson RCA to DIN-5 interconnects to arrive from the UK in order to connect my Squeezebox, plus I need another Naim SNAIC5 in order to power my phono stage. This system uses unconventional DIN connectors, no RCA inputs like on my old amp.

    On another topic altogether, learned an expensive lesson back in January while dusting my turntable, hoping to have my Dynavector 10x5 replaced this month... I'm dying to get my turntable back in operation

  20. #45
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Speaking of unconventional cabling, you need a rocket scientist to connect a Naim system hehe

    CD5x -> DIN5-DIN5 -> 122x
    CD5x -> SNAIC5 -> FC2x (the FlatCap2x offers a huge analogue power supply upgrade)
    122x -> SNAIC5 -> FC2x (the pre-amp is passive, so it is powered by the FlatCap2x)
    FC2x -> SNAIC4 -> 150x (we only need 4 pins now on the SNAIC, as there's no need to supply power)
    Stageline -> SNAIC5 -> 122x (the SNAIC5 cable carries both audio and power, and is powered off the pre-amp)
    Squeezebox -> RCA to DIN5 -> 122x
    PVR -> RCA to DIN5 -> 122x

    Thankfully Naim includes all of the interconnects with the components, so there was only one SNAIC5 cable that I needed to purchase for this system.

  21. #46
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Exeedingly cool

    Quote Originally Posted by elapsed
    Speaking of unconventional cabling, you need a rocket scientist to connect a Naim system hehe

    CD5x -> DIN5-DIN5 -> 122x
    CD5x -> SNAIC5 -> FC2x (the FlatCap2x offers a huge analogue power supply upgrade)
    122x -> SNAIC5 -> FC2x (the pre-amp is passive, so it is powered by the FlatCap2x)
    FC2x -> SNAIC4 -> 150x (we only need 4 pins now on the SNAIC, as there's no need to supply power)
    Stageline -> SNAIC5 -> 122x (the SNAIC5 cable carries both audio and power, and is powered off the pre-amp)
    Squeezebox -> RCA to DIN5 -> 122x
    PVR -> RCA to DIN5 -> 122x

    Thankfully Naim includes all of the interconnects with the components, so there was only one SNAIC5 cable that I needed to purchase for this system.
    And eviable, elapsed, given Naim's stellar reputation; (unfortunately I've never heard a complete Naim system). Of course Naim has always been eccentric with cabling.

    Black & green kind of reminds me of Batman, but regardless, I really like the Naim styling.

    I'm not completely clear, though: does one FlatCap2 do it for everything?

  22. #47
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Feanor
    I'm not completely clear, though: does one FlatCap2 do it for everything?
    The FlatCap is capable of powering two devices. Previously I had her powering the CD5x and Stageline phono stage, but now I have her powering the CD5x and 122 preamp. The 122 can be powered by either an external power supply or off the poweramp, the obvious choice being a power supply. Currently I have the Stageline powered via the preamp, which is a slight performance loss for my phono from my previous setup.

    If I were ever to upgrade the preamp to a 202 I open myself to a world of new options.. The 202 is capable of having two power supples - a NAPSC to power the digital, and either the FlatCap or a Hi-Cap to power the analogue. My plans are to build up to a 202 with Hi-Cap next year, and to keep the FlatCap for the CD5x and Stageline.

    If you have an opportunity, audition an LP12 and CDX2 with a Hi-Cap/282/250 system, absolutely astonishing what Naim is capable of once you enter into the 200 Series systems.

  23. #48
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    Very nice system E, glad for you.

  24. #49
    Forum Regular elapsed's Avatar
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    Just received my new Quadraspire Q4 rack last night! I've been waiting a couple of months for this order, in the meantime I was stacking all of my components on my old rack.. found a wonderful sonic difference with all of the components on separate shelves!





    Cheers,
    elapsed

  25. #50
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    What a cool system for a small area. I've followed this thread since it's inception and I respect the way you've upgraded over time, each move to a predesigned purpose. I bet it sounds fantastic...and it ain't hard on the eyes either.

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