Amp recommendations requested!
Discussion
Well having made the decision to ditch the Naim CDX (which just doesn't get much use these days), the chap who's buying it asked what I was using it with (102/NAPSC/HiCap2/250) and whether I was thinking of sticking with it. On reflection, I don't think I will and he's probably likely to take the whole lot off my hands on Sunday.
So, I'd like some recommendations if you'd all be so kind. I like the Naim sound, but I just don't do enough 'proper' listening any more. I use the PC as a giant jukebox with all my favourite discs FLAC'd and the rest as 320VBR MP3s. One of the frustrations of the Naim is the inflexibility with inputs; I have an Xbox360, PS3, DVD/SACD, PC and Sky+ and all are using phono-to-DIN converters. It's not an elegant solution but I never saw the point in getting proper cables made up in the end.
So there's another thought - the PC's connected with the normal 3.5mm jack output from the back of a Creative X-Fi (again, not elegant, nor conducive to a top-end sound). Would I do well to add something like a Squeezebox to run over the wireless network (or cabled, either would be fine) allowing me to remove the 'weak link' of the jack-to-phono-to-DIN arrangement I have now?
Sound-wise I want an even, open presentation with good detail and clarity, yet with good bass control and definition. The amp will need to be able to drive Celestion A2s which although they have a high sensitivity can produce some tricky resistance dips; suffice to say it needs to be fairly grunty.
I'd probably be happy spending up to £1,000-1,500 on the amp/squeezebox as I'd like to put some cash aside for a rainy day. Not fussed about a CD player at this point in time as the DVD/SACD player actually sounds very good for a £500 player and as I say, most of my music's played from the PC these days..
Your input would be appreciated.
So, I'd like some recommendations if you'd all be so kind. I like the Naim sound, but I just don't do enough 'proper' listening any more. I use the PC as a giant jukebox with all my favourite discs FLAC'd and the rest as 320VBR MP3s. One of the frustrations of the Naim is the inflexibility with inputs; I have an Xbox360, PS3, DVD/SACD, PC and Sky+ and all are using phono-to-DIN converters. It's not an elegant solution but I never saw the point in getting proper cables made up in the end.
So there's another thought - the PC's connected with the normal 3.5mm jack output from the back of a Creative X-Fi (again, not elegant, nor conducive to a top-end sound). Would I do well to add something like a Squeezebox to run over the wireless network (or cabled, either would be fine) allowing me to remove the 'weak link' of the jack-to-phono-to-DIN arrangement I have now?
Sound-wise I want an even, open presentation with good detail and clarity, yet with good bass control and definition. The amp will need to be able to drive Celestion A2s which although they have a high sensitivity can produce some tricky resistance dips; suffice to say it needs to be fairly grunty.
I'd probably be happy spending up to £1,000-1,500 on the amp/squeezebox as I'd like to put some cash aside for a rainy day. Not fussed about a CD player at this point in time as the DVD/SACD player actually sounds very good for a £500 player and as I say, most of my music's played from the PC these days..
Your input would be appreciated.
Funk, if you like the Naim sound and want a bit more refinement then try Densen. I went a bit further and when I sold my Naim kit, I went for older Meridian kit, using one of thier processor/DACs as a pre-amp, this gives me loads of digital inputs, and I can run in two channel or multichannel.
Within a £1500 budget you could get something like this:-
Meridian 568, to use a pre-processor, this gives two analogue inputs, 4 x SP/DIF, 1 x Optical and will act as a very high quality 2 channel DAC - budget around £550 - these were nearly 4K when new!
Meridian 557, power amp, 200W per channel will drive anything effortlessly - budget around £700, there is one on eBay at present
Left over budget for some balanced cables between 568 and 557 and for the Squeezebox. Use the Squeezebox digital out straight into the Meridian 568.
I run a similar system at present.
BR Spinner Digital Out )
Sky HD Box Digital Out )
Squeezebox Duet Digital Out )-> Meridian 568.2 -> Power Amps -> Speakers
HDX-1000 Digital Out )
Ipod Analogue Out (for my daughter!) )
The Meridian Kit doesn't present such an in your face sound as the Naims, but it is very detailed with a great soundstage, and plays all genres of music (and films) very very well, everything I through at it from Mozart to Motorhead sounds great.
Details on older Meridian kit here :- http://www.meridian-audio.info/showman.php?seriesi...
If you weren't so far away you could have a listen!
Hope that helps
davidy
Within a £1500 budget you could get something like this:-
Meridian 568, to use a pre-processor, this gives two analogue inputs, 4 x SP/DIF, 1 x Optical and will act as a very high quality 2 channel DAC - budget around £550 - these were nearly 4K when new!
Meridian 557, power amp, 200W per channel will drive anything effortlessly - budget around £700, there is one on eBay at present
Left over budget for some balanced cables between 568 and 557 and for the Squeezebox. Use the Squeezebox digital out straight into the Meridian 568.
I run a similar system at present.
BR Spinner Digital Out )
Sky HD Box Digital Out )
Squeezebox Duet Digital Out )-> Meridian 568.2 -> Power Amps -> Speakers
HDX-1000 Digital Out )
Ipod Analogue Out (for my daughter!) )
The Meridian Kit doesn't present such an in your face sound as the Naims, but it is very detailed with a great soundstage, and plays all genres of music (and films) very very well, everything I through at it from Mozart to Motorhead sounds great.
Details on older Meridian kit here :- http://www.meridian-audio.info/showman.php?seriesi...
If you weren't so far away you could have a listen!
Hope that helps
davidy
Well the CDX went last weekend and I've just agreed a price on the remaining kit which I think is pretty fair. So once he comes down to collect it all, I will be without audio. Steve, I'm seriously interested in your amp as one option and will PM you to discuss further.
David, thanks for your input, I will certainly look at Meridian as an option; I've always been impressed with what I've heard in the past. Any more comments or ideas from people would be appreciated - both the Cyrus and the Meridian wouldn't have necessarily been on my radar so the input is useful!
David, thanks for your input, I will certainly look at Meridian as an option; I've always been impressed with what I've heard in the past. Any more comments or ideas from people would be appreciated - both the Cyrus and the Meridian wouldn't have necessarily been on my radar so the input is useful!
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