Try to listen to Ear Yoshino V12, or 868 with 534. You may be surprised at how good it sounds, full of Prat and other qualities.
But the speakers have to be relatively easy to drive.
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I’ve given you a 
for the quality usage of the word banjaxed, well played sir.
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How about a Primare PRE35 with the DAC and Prisma modules fitted and either an A34.2 or an A35.2 power amp. Just be aware that the PRE35 doesn’t have a phono amp inside it. That’ll be another box if vinyl is your source. For everything else you’re covered. The connectivity is more than you’ll ever need with the exception of hdmi (but I suspect that’s not important for most of us). The Primare DD35 is the transport only CD player and you won’t need the Prisma module as it’s already in the Pre. The standalone CD player is the CD35.
These units are Primare’s UPFD technology which fits somewhere between class a/b and class d. Build quality is second to none. They are built like tanks and the internal circuitary is a thing of beauty and the switches and knobs just feel right.
My second system is a Pre35+DAC+Prisma/A34.2 and my CD is a Primare D30.2 so not as analogue sounding as the CD35 but runs it close enough.
I use the balanced XLR for everything. The sound is fairly neutral but far from boring. Perfectly black background. Neither too laid back nor forward and certainly not boring. They aren’t fatigueing like some pure class d amps can be but class d is improving all the time.
If I’d never bought a Naim system I’d be more than happy with the Primare setup. So 2 or 3 boxes and you’re sorted.
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There was a guy that went from 4-box Naim amp to Rega’s new pre/power.
Good point. I’ll bear that in mind, thanks
Thanks. I’ll see if there is anywhere local I can listen
I was going to suggest that but I suppose it’s a given if you’re going to spend that much because they aren’t budget units although they aren’t stupidly expensive either for what they are. You really should if you need convincing and see for yourself. It was an eye opener for me. I’d heard of them of course but never really gave them much thought because I like British stuff. I’m not very good at describing the sound of a hifi beyond the basics but you’ll listen to far more expensive stuff that can’t keep pace with Primare’s amplification and their capability to drive the most difficult loads. I listened to them through some speakers that the money would put a large extension on my house and they didn’t struggle in the slightest. Everything crystal clear.
The A34.2 that I have is bridgeable to use as a monoblock to use with a second A34.2 but unless you have a room like a concert hall why would you need to. There is an i35 integrated if you wanted to reduce the box count further. Not heard it myself but the reviews are good (not that I take too much notice of them really) and affords the same modularity as the Pre35 with the DAC and Prisma optional no-brainer upgrades. You go and listen to them and tell me if you think I’m wrong. Be nice if you let me know what you think.
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Hi
Unfortunately couldn’t locate a Primare locally to demo but an excellent pre owned 552 came up.
Now had 3 weeks running in after service and I am staggered at the difference between this and my 252. It has more of everything, that’s the only way I can describe it.
Working with a 300DR (original) and honestly can’t see why I would need to consider a 500 (but you never know
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I would just try one taller stack and keep what you have.
If that doesn’t work then look for something else
How many shelves do you need? When I got my FraimLite, I think Naim recommended a max of 5 shelves plus base for both Fraim/FraimLite, I think on safety/toppling grounds - I went to 6 and have never had any issues, YMMV of course.
ATB, J
I have NDS, 552 and 300DR so that’s 6 boxes plus turntable. Streamer/server is in another part of the room as that only feeds an Ethernet to the NDS. Aesthetically would be too tall for the room and a bit impractical for the TT on top.
Mounting the TT separately would be no better than two stacks so I’ll stick with the two stacks I think. We’ll just have to work the room around it!
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That’s very wise. I once had CS3, 552 and 300 on a base plus six shelves. Splitting in two made cable dressing easier, and most importantly it made things sound much, much better. It also looked much better.
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Agree I actually found EAR and Naim are somewhat doing similar things.
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What have you listened to?
Not much. No local demo availability for those suggested unfortunately and an aesthetic clash with some designs coupling with the black Naim gear (can’t afford to change everything).
Then the 552 came up unexpectedly and it sounds brilliant
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