Hi @1GiantLeap
Thanks for checking in…
Just listening to Public Service Broadcasting : This New Noise (Live), (2023).
At the same time, looking at their UK tour dates for October and wondering about tickets?
Then, I saw your question.
Image : Roon view of “PSB This New Noise” playing via ND5 XS2 → nDAC → HiLine.
It’s been maybe 3 weeks since the last update.
This is where we’ve got to.
First, we kinda committed to going active, with our new floorstanding speaker purchase.
That decision was made.
As a result, we then took advantage of a nearly new NAC282 becoming available in an attractive way.
To be honest, when we bought the SN3 + HCDR in 2023, we were very happy with it. Still am.
We were going towards a system maybe same or similar to yours.
So, going to a NAC282 was a little unexpected. Not in the plan.
More an evolution, following a decision about “going active”.
Because “going active” kinda asks for a separate pre-amplifier to use with the active speakers.
I think the pre-amplifier in the SN3 is okay and fulfilled this task.
The moment a 282 is available for not much more (money) than our SN3 , it’s persuasive.
Yes, the NAC282 is a step forward, even just as passive currently here in our house.
The NAC282 is a better pre-amplifier (than in the SN3 ). It’s also a straight swop, one box for another.
Eventually, we will live with power amplifier component as an internal “active amp packs” within floorstanding active speakers. That’s the end game here. So, this system (we have been building for another room) moves SQ forward in quite a significant way.
After exploring the options, our conclusion was the active speakers were so much better, compared to their respective passive versions. It’s all above, to read, if you are interested in this aspect.
So, instead of going towards (original plan) SN3 + HCDR → passive floor standing speakers, ( for example PMC 23i, like you ) we decided ( evolved plan ) NAC282 + HCDR → active floor standing speakers.
IMHO, it’s a significant step for SQ.
Over the last two weeks, a few other things have been moving around in the background.
Discussion about specific products, prices and availability. Orders have been placed.
Also, thoughts about our other room - for this second system - which has been a box room since we moved house. Plans are now in place to board the loft and make this a decent storage space. That allows us to move all the boxes out of sight and into proper storage. Also, my best mate and wife has been busy thinking how to arrange things in this other room. We’ve been looking at several items of furniture - in the current summer sales - and placed orders this week. For example, for a nice new sofa, So, we’re getting there.
I’ve also got a few odd jobs to complete, like terminate network connections on wall plates. Things that weren’t finished when we moved in. ( Am I bad ) ?
It’s not unusual - when you order new items - for a few weeks to pass before these items appear.
So, I’m just being patient and enjoying lots of music with what we have currently.
Hope that’s okay for now. More updates soon.
Image : current situation, a mix of what will eventually be two systems.
As soon as new speakers arrive, I’ll share an update.
For now, it’s NAC282 + HCDR → SN3 ( power only ) → Epos ES14.
My very best and oldest friends - the ES14’s - never sounded better.
But I’m very aware what’s coming - is so so much better - and can’t wait.
Thanks again. Happy listening
R
p.s. circling back to tickets for PSB, what do you think ?