Thanks @Skeptikal That’s what I’ll go for then.
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Depending on the TV you can use the headphone out. I use this on one of our LG screens without issue into an Atom. The other LG screen I use the digital out.
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Had a bit of a crisis choosing speakers for the new CD5si/Nait5si. We had originally thought JBL L52 Classic but then settled on trying the Neat Petite Classics. Really the Neats will be stretching our budget although we could do it if really necessary. The other thing is there is a delay in obtaining them due to Neat awaiting a delivery of tweeters. Anyway it’s caused a re-think and we’ve ordered a pair of the JBL’s. I’ve always really fancied a pair of JBL’s and we’re looking for something that’s exciting, upfront and fun as opposed to accurate, detailed and hi-fi’ishly correct. Does anyone here have any experience of these speakers with the Nait5si?
I love the sound of the Linn and Naim speakers of old so were they still around, and if they worked optimally with a digital source (which they don’t) I would go for Kans or IBL’s, both of which I’ve owned and loved in the past. Does anyone have any other suggestions for modern speakers that might embrace some of the qualities of those early Linn/Naim models? I’ve read good things about the Russel K Red 50’s, which one review likened to Kans in terms of musical engagement. Once again they are a little beyond budget but we could stretch to them if really worthwhile. Anyone any experience of them ? I know @Simon-in-Suffolk has said he owns a pair.
Also if @Richard.Dane sees this could you comment on the JBL L52 Classics and Nait5si pairing please Richard. I know from some of your posts that you like JBLs and have some experience of them with Naim so I would really value your thoughts. Thanks.
You will see from my profile I own the slightly bigger brother of the RK Red 50, the Red 100. I have been very happy with them.
I will be moving them on however as I am looking at something a bit larger.
Thanks @NigelB . Did you compare the Red 100’s with the Red 50’s at all?
Maybe worth clarifying both limiting size and budget? (And bear in mind that barring mishaps speakers last forever, so secondhand maximises buying power.
Pete, I don’t know the JBL L52s and have never heard them, sorry.
As ever with speakers you just have to try them and hear for yourself.
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The Russell K speakers kind of sound slightly different than many other speakers so audition as with all speakers is key… they are thin walled undamped speakers which deliberately focus on letting the cabinets move in time with the sound pressure which helps with super unexaggerated detail and responsiveness.. they can get you closer to subtlety in recordings like headphones can. They also use unconventional and very simplified cross overs in terms of signal path… I think all in all they have a rather interesting and appealing signature. Kind of hard to move away from without feeling something is missing,
Like Naim Classic NACs there are two family signatures… the 50 and 120 have a slightly more relaxed involving presentation, the 100 and 150 have a slightly more forward intense involving presentation… choose your poison. I prefer the former. The 150 is a big floor stander speaker though, and only suitable for large rooms in my opinion. In my opinion the 50 and 100s work well in small to medium sized rooms, the 120 in medium to large, and the 150 large.
because of the thin walled cabs, stands for the 50 and 100s are super important, and RK produce a specialist stand. I find the SolidSteel60 match very well
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I sold klipsch speakers back in the day. This was in the early 80’s we also sold Boston Acoustics, B&O, ADS, Epos and KEF. I never liked the Klipsch , too bright , shouty almost like a PA speaker. I spent many hours listening to them vs others. I bought as my first real high end speakers KEF 104/2 . I felt they were so much more refined and musical than Klipsch, ADS were a close 2nd. Later on the store brought in Mirage, Martin Logan and Thiel. I owned Mirage M1’s, Martin Logan Quest and Thiel 3.5 and 3.6 ‘s the Thiels were wonderful. Shame that when Jim Thiel passed away his company went to hell.
I’m looking for small-ish stand mounts, ie. around LS3/5a size (NOT LS3/5a sound!). Budget can be pushed to £2.5K if really necessary, but more realistically around £1K. We could afford more if we waited for all our previous system to sell but this could take some months and in the meantime no music! Also using the CD5si/Nait5si is a limiting factor on how far to go with speakers. Probably not very sensible to use anything much above £2.5K anyway. Also TBH I’m not convinced we really need something that expensive. Our previous system was certainly overkill in terms of what we require to enjoy music. Nice at the time but not worth doing again.
How about ProAc D2R ?
No, I just listened to the Red 100s.
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These look excellent but are really beyond our budget and besides are beyond the capabilities of the Nait 5si I think. Amp/speaker matching is vital as we know so as excellent as the Nait is there’s no point pushing it into the realms of where it will struggle. It’s a big change in the situation for me. Our previous Moon 340ix amp was really good enough to drive anything we could possibly afford so this sort of thing wasn’t even a consideration.
why not just find yourself a pair of Linn Kans? You’ve said how much you loved them, and can be bought for under £400 - some on eBay right now - but stands extra. Other than verifying working properly you don’t need to audition to find if you like their sound signature. Naim n-Sats suggest themselves but not as readily available and I get the impression you are in a hurry.
Otherwise maybe worth noting that if you’re going to put on stands, then in same footprint you could have slim floorstanders.
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The problem with the Kans is that they really only sing with a Linn LP12 source. IME they don’t like digital sources. They work obviously but the magic evaporates and they just sound so-so. n-Sats would be good though.
I can’t agree with that. Running Kans with an Auralic streamer and sounds excellent. I have had that on 135’s and 252 down to cb 250 and nac 62/hc. Always excellent. I have had them on the cb 140 but Kans generally benefit from a 250 to get them to sound right at all sound levels imo.
I see from your profile you have an LP12 so presumably you’ve compared. I found back in the day that even when we got a Naim CDI it just didn’t allow the Kans to do their stuff in the way the LP12 did. I’ve never heard Kans sound right other than with Naim amplification fronted by an LP12. Except on one occaison when I heard them with a Rega 3/Naim 42-5/110. They sounded really superb, but that was some kind of weird fluke. I agree they sound best with at least a CB250. It really fills out and deepens the bass and they sound far bigger.
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Well ProAc just came out with a brand new speaker Response DB1R that your nait should easily be able to drive. And is probably in your price range!
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At almost £3K too expensive I’m afraid. Otherwise could have been good.