Advice on changing my system from neutral to coloured

[Derek]

Just some food for thought.

Have you tried a valve amp?
The sound you are describing is traditionally found in older systems or components.
Using a valve amp with say EL34s will give a warm easy sound, the type of thing you can turn on and listen for hours.
The Croft Series 4 might be a contender.
Your Dynaudio speakers are a bit of a handful to drive @ 85db and 4ohm, so EL34s may not be up to the job.
You probably will need to look at changing the speakers to something a bit easier to drive.

As I say just some food for thought.

[Onion]

Just some food for thought.

Have you tried a valve amp?
The sound you are describing is traditionally found in older systems or components.
Using a valve amp with say EL34s will give a warm easy sound, the type of thing you can turn on and listen for hours.
The Croft Series 4 might be a contender.
Your Dynaudio speakers are a bit of a handful to drive @ 85db and 4ohm, so EL34s may not be up to the job.
You probably will need to look at changing the speakers to something a bit easier to drive.

As I say just some food for thought.

Thanks Derek, I did consider valve amps at one stage, but ruled them out.

In terms of holding onto the Naim stuff, and letting go of the Dynaudio, is there any others to add to the current list of contenders to audition - PMC, Spendor, Harbeth?

[tony]

It is the hit you are going to take on the dynaudio that I would be trying to mitigate. Not sure what is the best way to do that. They will be hard to move on the secondhand market here. Any chance you can go back to the shop and see if there is something else that would work

[Derek]

Fran’s advice about visiting other systems is one worth following up, this little community of ours is quite accommodating.

I’m using the Eist dubh speakers and an Airtight ATM 4 amp, needless to say I’m very happy with the sound.
Prior to the Eist I had a lovely pair of Quad 63’s for years.

If you can live with the wait, visit some other systems and see if you come across a sound you like.

Looking at the pre-owned market will give you an idea as to the variations of speakers out there.
System Audio, Avantgarde, Monitor Audio, Wharfedale, Tannoy, Mordaunt Short, Kef…

[Onion]

Thanks guys. I have room positions etc, no luck. Interestingly nobody really mentioned changing to a more powerful amp. I have read similar stories elsewhere, and a more powerful amp was suggested. I understood that a more powerful amp will generally allow you play louder without associated distortion or clipping. Is it likely that an amp change will give more punchy bass at low volume levels?

[erin]

You asked so here is a few tips from me:

1. Get a subwoofer or two.
2.Get an amp that has a "loudness" switch. (for low level listening)
3. Consider getting speakers with 12 or 15" bass drivers.
4. Put speakers in the corner of your room up against the wall or corners.

Its proably not that you have too much treble or that your system is bright, its more likely that you just dont have enough bass.
You need the full range of freuqencies to get a balacned sound. Getting to 30 or 35Hz should be enough.
Your speakers are only flat to about 50Hz then roll off.

Borrow some subs!!!

In all honesy you could get a wooden cabinet powered subwoofer off ebay for AUD $150-300. I've heard them. They are decent enough.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SUBWOOFER-NE ... 3f28ed4379

Im not suggesting you buy this sub from Australia. But I hope you get the point Im making. You will find something that will be affordable.

[james]

I read this review on tht-audio http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/ifi_tube_gemini_e.html for a value buffer stage you could put between your pre-amp and power-amp. No idea if it is any good or if it would make any difference but it might be stocked by 'The Listenning Rooms' and I think you said you bought speakers from them so maybe they could arrange a home demo.

james

[james]

Some more info on the valve buffer stage [from the tnt-audio review]....

"...
It's more than a simple pre amplifier or buffer, although it will perform that function very well using a ( General Electric 5670 based) valve circuit almost miraculously hidden inside it's small case....The iTube contains two additional switchable circuits. One, called the Digital Antidote Plus® is claimed to "re-equalise harsh, "ringing" digital sources which causes listening fatigue". The second, called the The 3D HolographicSound® system is claimed to provide a more three dimensional effect to the music ....
..."

As I said I know no more about this than is in the review. You could put it between your dac and amp.

---

Two more suggesions ..
a) Could you borrow your friends speakers and try them in your house with your amp etc ..
b) Does your system have a headphone output and could you try that ?

---

Also, maybe try listenning to the system a bit more as it may not be fully 'run in'.

james

[Sloop John B]

Just a few comments which may or may not be helpful.

First off, Naim equipment needs to be left powered on, don't judge any Naim equipment until it has been powered on for at least 48hours.

secondly Naim needs to be run in, if your gear is new and only has 50-100 hours of use it will not have "opened out" yet.

It is important that you consider these 2 things before you start throwing money at a "problem".

Naim equipment is quite likely to sound horrible if not set up properly, i.e. level and on a dedicated rack.

It could be a speaker / amp mismatch, only your ears can judge this.

The good thing about Naim gear is is usually keeps an excellent resale value. I see on another thread you are looking at a UniQute. I have one, great piece of kit, but probably a set down form a Nait XS. If I were you I'd get a Squeezebox Touch s/h and use this (either through the nDac or) straight into the XS. The SBT is a marvellous piece of kit that gives you access to all your music on a PC or NAS as well as Spotify.

My main system is a pretty high end Naim one and my streamer is a SBT. I stream it into an nDAC but to be honest the difference does not justify the price of the nDAC. If your amp/speaker/room (don't forget speaker/room synergy) combo is up to it, an SBT into your XS. selling your nDAC to but more music, is a very attractive solution.

and lastly - some people don't like the "Naim sound" finding it too "bright". I don't, at all, but sometimes one has to decide that a particular sound is or is not for you.

Enjoy the journey......................


SJB

[Sloop John B]

http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/dynaudio-with-naim

thread about dynaudio speaker with Naim, haven't read it but there may be some pointers there.


SJB