Have you stopped upgrading. If so, why?

I answered this in another thread in a round about sort of way. My current system, 272/555DR, 250DR, Uniti Serve, ATC SCM11s, Super Lumina cables and Powerlines, is already too good for the constraints of my 12 x 8ft upstairs listening environment with wooden floors an’ all. It sounds great and I’m really satisfied and adding anything more will just be status symbol than anything else…so for the last couple of years and I have stopped and still don’t have that itch to scratch. Long may that continue

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I have, because I can’t afford these:


Although I will say they sounded pretty spectacular at Axpona this weekend! Second photo of me at 5’ 11" for size comparison with the Grand Utopias.

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I physically couldn’t fit those into my room they’re just too tall. :astonished:

But then I might as it’s a suspended wood floor and they may simply fall through! :scream:

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400 lbs each they said. Amazingly tight bass.

That basement hifi room you always dreamed of :wink:

Funny how things work. Two years ago it took Kuma and me only three minutes to get completely bored by these speakers (playing Vialdi with Audio Research amplification) and leave the room.

#MeToo

I haven’t upgraded my main music system for around 20 years although I have significantly upgraded the video side of it over the years - better AV processors, better projector etc. The reason why my Naim system has been pretty much static is purely down to budget and the fact I still to this day really love its sound. I reached a level at GYRODEC/CDi/NAC102/HICAP/250/SBL that further improvements would be costly and had other priorities - career change and having a child, renovating the house etc. Every 10 years my amps go back to naim for a service and recap - indeed they have just come back now as one of the channels had developed a fault.

I do however think that I am coming out of that static period because I know there is better sound to be had. I’m in the market for a secondhand NDX imminently (in fact with two weeks off work I’m heading to a shop and listening to one today) with a view to replacing the the Squeezebox Touch and DAC that nowadays constitutes the bulk of my listening. That’s the point, I have a far superior Naim Cdi player and Gyrodec turntable but 80% of the time I’m playing music via a £200 Squeezebox and £200 DAC which seems ridiculous. I also turned 50 a few weeks ago and that’s an age which really brings it home to you that life is short and to be enjoyed to the max!!

I’ve been fortunate in that some years ago I reviewed equipment professionally so naturally I heard some incredible systems and indeed had them in my house - including CDS3, NAC552, and SL2’s. I do love my SBL’s for their clarity, speed and attack but have always found them a little lacking in overall warmth and punch. I was blown away by some ATC speakers I reviewed and am pondering replacing the SBL’s with some SCM40’s if the NAP250 is man enough to drive them. If it isn’t I may be tempted to add a second NAP250. I love my naim amps too much to really want to investigate ATC’s active options! I also feel that a move to active speakers then sort of locks you into the ATC way of doing things whereas if I stay with Naim amplifiers I have more options in the long term - a switch to Focal or B&W for example or even a pair of DBL’s.

I’ve always wanted to own a NAC52 too - ever since I read a wonderful review of it in Audiophile magazine by the great Malcolm Steward. When a good one comes up I will doubtless be tempted to move in that direction.

So in short after 20 years of the system being static but really enjoyable things are on the move again. A decent streamer is the first priority as it has become my main source. It’s exciting because amps like the NAC52 which were the stuff of dreams when I was reading Audiophile magazine aged 20 are now almost affordable.

Finally I’m also pondering parting with the TVR I have owned for 23 years and rarely use. That would offer the opportunity to put serious resources into the system but in some ways doing it gradually and incrementally will be a more fun route I think!

I am however profoundly grateful to Naim and Michell for making equipment over the years that has allowed me to enjoy music so much for what amounts to a relatively modest outlay. I’m still using my original Nait 1 in my den with a pair of Naim Intro’s and I bought that amp in 1988!! It’s hard to believe it has served me so well for over thirty years and it was ex dem when I bought it.

So an exciting chapter may shortly be beginning. Music has been the overriding constant passion of my life and I know that improving the hi-fi is the gateway to enjoying music even more!

Jonathan

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I have had a similar experience with amplifiers.
I used to have a NAC 92 with an IXO and 2 NAP 90’s which I owned from new. The 92 developed a faulty volume pot so I considered a new pre amp. Eventually I settled on a NAC 202 with HICAP DR and NAPSC.
I love the active sound even at this level, but loaned a serviced Olive 250 to audition. Similarly to you I found the sound of the 250 to be bigger in scale with more dynamics but also a tad sluggish. In comparison my humble IXO and 90’s sound like the musical equivalent of a greyhound, fast, agile and involving. To my ears they had so much more PRaT than the bigger 250 which sounded by comparison a bit like a dinosaur trying to do the okey kokey. So I had the IXO & 90’s serviced by NAIM and still sound great.

Incidentally, I was forced due to a road accident where my back was broken, to put any further thoughts of upgrading on the shelf. Listening to music through this system has helped carry me through a few years of pain, stress and struggle and kept me uplifted. Then earlier this year my claim against the lunatic who nearly killed me came to court, I was awarded compensation and as a result am now upgrading my LP12 with a Radikal and Keel. This has also served to demonstrate how capable those baby amps still are.
Every cloud…

:grinning:

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Mine is
:grinning:

Deep sympathies, I’m glad music helped you through the stress.

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Thanks Eoink,
It makes you realise the profound health benefits of good HiFi equipment and music.
When some scoff at the expense of HiFi equipment, I like to point out that I don’t drive an equally expensive car that can potentially kill or seriously injure someone when in the wrong hands, nor does HiFi equipment pollute the atmosphere we all breathe. (Other than perhaps the way electricity is generated)
:grinning:

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I’m glad you found solace is the music, it’s very therapeutic.

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My ears have fallen off.

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Just get some superglue, it works well on ceramics!

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An interesting story to read. I’m so pleased that the compensation has been settled - it’s such a hugely trying time, and to go to court must be really hard. I was knocked off my bike in 2016 and suffered a fractured skull, and as the result of the brain injury I can no longer work. It took nearly two years to agree compensation and in the end we settled out of court to avoid the stress and the risk. I’m so pleased it’s over. We didn’t buy any hifi, but did get a tiny little Eriba caravan, which is just great.

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Dreadathecontrols, Hungryhalibut, stories such yours highlight how dangerous our roads are these days. It’s frightening to read of lives destroyed, damaged or irreversibly altered through increasingly aggressive driving habits, impatience or complacency behind the wheel. I was introduced to defensive driving techniques several years ago which I now mentally ‘tune into’ every time I get behind the wheel.

All the best to both of you.

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I wouldn’t say that I’ve stopped upgrading but I certainly have no interest or urge to do so. I’m in the ‘happy place’ where my equipment isn’t causing me to constantly critique it, looking for areas where it is underperforming or where it could be improved… I’m just listening and enjoying the music.

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Thanks for your kind words. At the end of it, and I’m sure DATC will agree, you’ve just got to pick yourself up, be thankful for what you’ve got, and get on with your life. At least I don’t have to work, and there is plenty of time to do what I enjoy.

As to upgrading or not, I’m very happy with my setup. Having upgraded and downgraded far too much over the years, I’m just happy to have ended up with something that I could afford and which gives so much pleasure. If Naim produce a new 272 I may get it, but if they don’t that’s not a problem. Part of me hopes they won’t.

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Agree with all of this.

G