We are planning redecorating and rearranging the lounge and it’s possible my current two rack system (7shelves total) is going to be too much.
Anyone got alternatives to look at instead of my 252/300dr combo?
Doesn’t need to be an integrated pre/power, two boxes pre and power would probably be ok as long as they are integrated power supplies.
I’d keep my NDS and 555
Important the sound is still coherent and integrated, not too separated and overly detailed.
Any suggestions appreciated to audition
How many boxes do you want? The obvious solution is the simpler New Classic range. 332/250 would reduce your setup to 4 boxes, a nice neat single rack. Add a power supply for the 332, and/or go for a pair of 350s if you can cope with a 5 or 6 box stack.
What speakers are you going to be driving? Would a Nova PE be up to the task? I am aware that is likely a bit of a step down from 252/300. The 332/250 is likely to be a more obvious choice although people say the 332 and NC series sound quite different to the 252 etc.
You could hang on to the 252and its PS and go to a 250 instead of the 2 box 300? Only saves one level in the rack though.
Hi, tried the NC range but didn’t like it, that’s why I stuck with the 252/300 (old 300).
Was considering swapping to 252 for a 552 before the redecoration plan but gives an idea of the sound signature I prefer
Yes, was thinking non Naim for the amplification keeping the NDS
I have a good phono amp so just need to reduce the 4 box amplifier stage to one or two.
OK, but a 552 doesn’t reduce your box count, so you are left with non-Naim alternatives or Active speakers if you want one rack that doesn’t look too tall.
Luxman? If I were going non-Naim, I would start there. I am using there CDP and am very impressed. I would look at the Luxman integrated. Failing that, a Naim Pre with active speakers?
As he doesn’t want 332/250, I don’t see other solutions, apart 552 into active speakers.
Or a departure from the Naim kind of sound.
Or Ear V12 integrated, but I doubt he will believe me.
Not wanting to throw a spanner in the works, but a Quadrispire SV2T might solve the problem. It’s not as wide as two individual racks, but will accommodate the same number of boxes. I went from two Target Audio racks to one SVT2 rack and reduced the width by several inches while keeping all the gear.
Understood. My original plan was 252 change to 552, same number of boxes.
However, now we are looking at lounge layout I may have to bin that approach and look at reduced box count.
I’d like to still keep one set of Fraim, currently have two.
The 552 upgrade is still a possibility (just means the lounge is a bit compromised) but looking at other approaches that give a similar sound signature with fewer boxes so I can go one rack.
One thing I have discovered and worth keeping in mind is that Fraim doesn’t always work well with non-Naim boxes - the rear leg gets in the way of sockets or stuff is too deep (eg my Vitus RI-101).
I’m not in the market for an amplifier but if I were I’d be looking and listening hard to the Trilogy offerings - not sure if they are banjaxed by Fraim though.
many in the market eg gryphon, vitus, moon, soulutuon etc
