Being a SN2 / NDX2 / XPS DR owner I’m pleased to see HH join the light side
One day, when I’m in the mood, I may discuss it. But today is not that day. The 272 is brilliant and the fact I no longer have one does not diminish it.
I’d gently suggest that the thread stays on the subject of the new 272 replacement.
Hear hear!!!
Think you may have to resign as president 272 fan club.
Ah, after looking at another website, I was wondering what HH was up to…
I was puzzled when I saw you praising the FLAC radio streams and wondered how you were receiving them on your 272. All is now explained.
I hope you get huge enjoyment from your new system.
Roger
Yes indeed. Enjoy your new system N and let the music play on…
Odds are on a new and informative thread on your reasoning for the changes. With the move to the NDX2, I never imagined the other changes would ever happen especially the SL2’s departing. I look forward to the start of the system pictures 2021, in which you will have the perfect platform to reveal all in post number one of course.
I won’t be doing System Pics next year. I’m happy with what I’ve done and don’t feel the need or desire to explain. I’m baffled as to why anyone might be remotely interested in my system.
Nigel, it is the nature of us all as part of a community - to be curious when big decisions or changes are made. The kit is one of the reasons we’re all here, so when a well known and regarded member such as yourself makes a change, then it’s quite natural for other members to be curious as to the reasoning or process behind it. In the past you have been most forthcoming on this score - especially when you bared all with the BIG system realignment some years back now. So I guess it’s natural that some members would be anticipating details this time around. However, it is of course up to you, and I would certainly look dimly on any attempt to hound you into some kind of explanation, as, it’s your choice entirely and there’s no need to explain to anybody else.
Thank you Richard. I do of course understand that there may be an interest as I’ve been here for so long. I’ve even been called a ‘forum influencer’! I’ve had loads of messages asking what and why. Some are really supportive and from people I know, while others are simply intrusive, hence I’ve become a little weary.
I’ll apologise to the OP in advance: as I wrote yesterday, this thread is about the 272, not about me. So if the OP requests the removal of this I will quite understand.
There are a couple of things going on that precipitated this. Earlier in the year I lost virtually all hearing in my left ear, which is permanent. My right ear hasn’t been the same after my accident. I now have an aid in the right but with the left not working the whole soundstage thing has gone. I can still enjoy music though, for which I’m truly grateful.
I’ve been retired a while since the accident and so funds are limited, which would make getting the new platform 272 difficult. I also started to feel that the system had become too much. Our room is quite small and it was a bit dominating. Added to this I had a feeling that £3,500 on a pair of SL cables that need to be set ‘just so’ had sort of separated me from the land of common sense. And those pesky 300 burndies…
I’ve always liked the look of the small speakers I see in others’ systems and felt the time was right to change. I wanted to focus on source first as that’s where the musical engagement comes from, and as I had the 555 I thought I’d keep it. I borrowed a NDX2 and SN3 from my friends at Audio T, and ProAc very kindly lent me the speakers to try at home at my leisure. Running SL2s off a SN can be done but just feels wrong and as my friend David Hendon had said a while ago that he would take the speakers if I ever sold them, it seemed a nice way to make the change easy. My friend Richard now has the 300.
To me SL2s are truly fantastic and the best speaker I’ve ever heard. No horrible hifi pyrotechnics, just lovely music. That said my new speakers are better on voice to me - though tiny they are very high quality and they fit the room very nicely, even on their temporary stands. ProAc have been lovely - once my own speakers are made they are couriering them to me and picking up the demonstration models. I also tried some ATC 11, which I really liked but the cherry finish was too brown and sort of depressing, and we don’t want black.
I’ve ditched the Super Lumina, the PowerLines and the MusicWorks mains block and have ordered a Graham’s Hydra and some Tellurium Q Black II speaker cables.
For many years I ran a top LP12 with a 32.5/250 and a pair of Kans; a wonderful classic source first system. No fancy wires or complications. With the NDX2/555, Supernait 3 and the T10s I’m sort of back there but in a modern way, and I must say it’s rather nice. The new platform is excellent and the Chromecast means we can stream operas from the Met from the iPhone, and listen to Qobuz, which I’ll sign up to at some point.
The 272 was picked up earlier and while I slightly miss the lovely volume control, system automation works brilliantly.
Overall the new setup is great, sounds lovely and fits the room and our lifestyle. Both Hilary and I are really happy with the decision.
So again apologies to the OP for posting this and like I said I won’t mind if it’s deleted as off topic. I won’t be posting any further explanations and I hope this satisfies people’s curiosity.
Just remember, it’s not the equipment that matters, it’s the music.
Best wishes to everyone, whether 272 owners or not!
It’s such a shame about your permanent hearing loss Nigel, but i think you are being positive moving forward. As for your new system, it’s a cracking one to listen to music. I can remember the ndx2/sn2 system at Audio show east albeit with different speakers was easily the most enjoyable room to visit for music. Enjoy the music and take care.
Thank you very much for taking the time to post details of your changes here, as I said, a new and informative thread would have been welcome. I totally respect your decision not to start the system pictures 2021 thread for any reason you choose, but I had to ask again in the hope that you would change your mind.
Thanks for taking the time to post HH enjoy those Tab 10 Sigs they really are a marvel to listen too so much so when my new room is sorted I plan to return to a pair for my Nait 2.
Sorry to hear about your hearing problems Nigel. I hope to read more of your contributions in the future as you have been one of the factors in reigniting my interest in HiFi.
Gaza, I also visited that show and concur with your impressions of the NDX2 and SN2 combination. Mind you it’s cost me a fortune since.
I remember being disappointed on the day with some high end systems, the top naim gear with the Dynaudio speakers were very poor. I have heard since that the lady who was running that demo did not put much effort into setting the room up. But the Naim guys got every ounce out of that ndx2/sn2.
Still Alastair has posted if Covid permits the show is back next year something to look forward to.
@Gazza remember it well. I almost ran out the room when they played Life on Mars on the Dynaudios. Yes the NDX2/SN was very good.
HH. It’s £20 and maybe a load of bollocks but I bought Tellurium Q test disc disc to help in running new speakers /cable in. A few members swear by it.
Nigel so sorry to hear about the loss to your hearing. I was aware of your accident and the damage it caused to your hearing, but the permanent nature of the change must be distressing. I am so glad that that you are still able to enjoy music, which is of course so important to us music-lovers.
Many of us forumites of a certain age are facing retirement (and hence a reduction in disposable income) and possible natural deterioration in our hearing. It therefore follows that many of us will contemplate down-sizing our hi fi rigs at some point in the near future. It is therefore interesting to hear how others have gone about this and the possible options, while still retaining the Naim sound we all know and love.
It would therefore be of interest to many on here to hear how you get on with the new system and tweaks you might make in the future. Your knowledge of all things Naim would also be of great benefit to others in the future. I will of course completely understand and respect your right to withdraw somewhat from the forum, as you have indicated some level of weariness.
Whatever you decide regarding your future participation on here, I would like to thank you for your massive contribution to helping others out on here and your ‘no-nonsense’ approach/advice to optimising SQ.
I know you will keep on enjoying the music, which in the end is all that matters.
I’ll add my apologies to the OP for the diversion, but I had to comment.