I’m not in anyway wedded to Naim but the NDX2 is a great source, especially when paired with 555PSDR. I’ve heard it now through a number of non-Naim systems (Luxman, Accuphase, Exposure, Hegel, Sugden) and it sounds great in an all Naim, or non-Naim system.
I’m also using a Core for my rips so for now I’m happy with my NDX2 as main source (as transport into Matrix Audio DAC), with PSU & Core
Don’t knock it. Um…
Update (again). I had a 4 PIN DIN to RCA L-R lead made up from Flashback so I could try the 552 into the Sugden FBA-800 amp. The Sugden amp has a balanced input switch so I’ve switched now to unbalanced to match the 552 unbalanced output.
This system is now sounding very very good indeed. I’m surprised how well the 552/Sugden FBA-800 are sounding together. Seems like a magical pairing. So much better than either the 552/300DR or the Sugden Sapphire pre/power combo. Very detailed, leading edges with low end grunt, but smooth with no glare whatsoever. The Marten Dukes are really opening up.
Looks like there are endless possibilities for the Marten Duke 2 to open up. Interesting indeed the 552/FBA-800 sounds significantly better than the 552/300DR and DAP-800/FBA-800. Looks like either the 300DR is the bottleneck or the 552/FBA-800 is a winning combination. Who would have thought the Naim/Sugden would be superior to both all-Naim or Sugden.
Mine is opening up too with plenty of detail but no glare and brightness. Superb speakers with great potential when optimised.
Yes, definitely the 300DR is the bottleneck. The Martens work much better with Class A amps and the 552 seems a step up from the DAP 800. The 552/FBA-800 could well be the winning combination for me.
I contacted my dealer to let him know and I’ll decide in a few days
Some speakers just need lots of power to really get them going there’s no doubt that Naim make some very nice sounding pre amps it’s a bit like Quad in reverse terrible pre amps but excellent power amps perhaps I might try a 32.5/HC with my Quad Elite QSP.
Belated and totally not begrudged congrats, all the best for the season ahead, was neck deep in work an apologies for the tardy response to the result.
?? Naim maker “terrible” power amps? For that matter, Quad make “terrible” preamps? This is all news to me.
I didn’t actually mean that Naim make terrible power amps just that their pre amps are better but I stand by the fact that Quad do make terrible pre amps but of course it’s only my opinion.
Opinion Based on what ?
Nothing.
Then why post it at all.
There’s already a lot of opinions based on nothing already on news
Think he’s allowed to post his opinion, you don’t have to agree with it and you can just flick past.
I’ve owned in excess of 12 Naim power amps and 4 Quad pre amps and so have based my statement above on this ownership.
Fair enough. Now, lie back and tell us in your words, what led you to buy a total of 16 expensive components that you thought inferior.
Was the first not enough?
If I didn’t think you where taking the piss feeling_zen I would take the time to answer.
It’s a fair question. I’m curious too
I’m not saying that only naim and Dynaudio work well but to find that they don’t work well enough for you is quite intriguing
Regardless it’s your personal experience so it is what it is.
I’d still say you are running bit of a mullet to bring the best out of a Naim amplifier
Maybe the amps you’re now running are more forgiving of the sources you have
My curiosity is not to do with finding that a brand’s amps don’t work for someone - Naim or any other - as I can fully understand that if they either don’t give the sound or character the person wants, or do impart a sound or character they don’t want, or don’t provide adequate control over speakers, etc., but rather why does it take 4 , or more incredulously 12, to determine that? Or was it liking some aspect but not another, and each time the craving for the one aspect took over, until annoyance with the other became too much to bear? Change to something else, the it starts again?
Mind you, you’re not the only one who seems to have had what sounds like a bit of a love-hate relationship with Naim, as I can think of at least one other forum member who Seems to have gone round and round, ending up with the same bits many times over.