As mentioned by @NO-QUARTER I do in fact have a SuperCap DR on my 282, and not only a NDX2+XPSDR as source, but an analog front end that punches in a higher class. I have my system listed in my profile so no one ever need make assumptions about what I’m running.
I know people suggest a 252 pairs with 300, but it’s just conventional wisdom and anecdotal. THere are plenty of happy listeners using a 300 with a 282. There’s no hard and fast rule every system is different, and optimal path for upgrading is not always so cut and dry.
I happen to have speakers that like a lot of current, and plan to move them to a larger room. 300DR as next step is the correct next step for me, IMO. 252 – if that’s an upgrade I go for – will have to wait.
Changing the topic a bit - I did some experimentation with toe-in today using the Dynaudio Master Class video as guidance. Previously, the amount of toe-in I applied in my room was negligible. Surprised with the improvement in presentation I got by increasing toe-in and speaker separation. Result ! - and best of all, cost zero £.
I could use some advice. I have a pair of Dyn Focus 110 (the older ones ~2005) driven by a Rega Elex-R. I have $3K to spend on an upgrade. 2 options: Replace the Elex-R with a XS3, or keep the Focus 110, or get a pair of S40 and keep the Elex-R. Either way, a pair of Dyns will stay on the system. Maybe a Uniti Atom, but not sure if it has enough grunt to drive the Focus 110 (4 ohm, 85dB).
Haven’t heard F110 myself but have been told those are great speakers. Supposedly the last speaker range with the original Dyn sound. May want to demo XS3 as some say the Rega holds its own compared to XS. To get more from what you gave you may indeed just need more. That can turn into los of cash.
I heard them with a 282 HCDR, 250DR driven by NDX2/XPSDR used to demonstrate Melco at medium and high price level. All quite nice particularly classical, but hardly run it. I thought if ever I wanted something smaller I would consider them. Certainly visually appealing.
Just out of curiousity: a lot of people seem to combine the Special 40 with e.g. Uniti Nova, I wonder if there are any experiences with the Special 40 in combination with NAP 250 DR?
I pair it with Uniti Star initially and is less than thrilled by it. Thus begin my separate journey. I then use it with NDX-2/252/SCDR/250DR.
On high volume around 9 mark, it is not bad. But low volume is totally not enjoyable. Not sure if it is due to traditionally Dynaudio like more watt or powerful amp. I never have any Dynaudio before so can’t really know.
I also find it is really depending on source material. Some Tidal songs are just unlistenable.
Good recording like from SACD rips are the best I find. Why can’t all streaming source be good
Now I only left not experimenting it with PSU. Expensive experiment though.
I think the Special 40 would really shine with a 250DR.
The first speakers I used with my 250-2 were a pair of Contour S1.4 and that sounded excellent. Then I went to Contour S3.4 with upgraded Esotar2 tweeters and that sounded even better. Then the 250-2 upgraded to DR for an even bigger improvement.
Now I have Confidence C2 Platinum on the 250DR and they sound great, but with those I am now – after living with the 250-2/DR for 8 years – moving on to a 300DR.
Yes indeed I have 272 / 250 / Special 40. When I ordered the Special 40s the dealer’s first question was “what amp have you got” and when I said 250 they said fine. I think the special 40s need a bit of welly to drive them and the 250 provides this easily. I am perfectly happy with the 250 / special 40. Now I use an old Chord Hugo into the analogue input of the 272 bypassing the 272’s dac - I much prefer this. I think the S40s come alive above a certain volume - I think you get more dynamics when they are being driven a bit harder. Sometimes I can feel the bass move the skin on my face!
S40s with 250DR here, and a big smile on my face. The 250DR really grips the bass and the vocals soar as you expect from Dynaudio. The 250DR is a fast amplifier, lots of dynamic ability, and the S40s are also quite pacey and so the pairing just has a feeling of synergy.
I recently upgraded my all-in-one to a Unity Atom; my first experience with Naim. Since then, I have had some good moments with it, but also some disappointing ones. In an attempt to shift the balance in favour of more good moments, I am going to change my speakers. Currently, I have some 10 year old Dali Ikon 6 mk2 (https://www.dali-speakers.com/discontinued/ikon-mk2/ikon-6-mk2/). The disappointing moments can be characterised by a lack of dynamic range and generally being unfulfilling. My guess is that they are not a good match for the Atom, as well as being on the cheaper end of floor standers. I also have a decent sized room to fill, around 50 sq meters; perhaps they struggle with that.
After listening to a few different speakers, I have landed on Dynaudio Evoke floor standers; the discipline really struck a chord with me. I first started thinking about Evoke 30; I listened to them paired with an Atom on a couple of occasions in my local dealer, and liked the sound in their relatively small listening room. But I was concerned about whether they’d lose depth in and be able to fill my room. So I started to think about the Evoke 50. Back at my local dealer, I compared them both, again paired with the Atom. Then I really appreciated the Evoke 50; it was more balanced and less nasal (the Evoke 30 was still great, but just to characterise the difference). And the base so much more present, which I think helps the Atom. I asked the expert in the dealer about whether the Atom is able to power the Evoke 50s sufficiently. He said yes, but I interpreted it more as a you-can-get-away-with-it kind of yes. In the end, he made me such a good offer, that I ordered them. But the lack of certainty in his response has been bugging me. I will talk more with him on Monday, but wanted to hear some other thoughts before I do.
I have been looking at the specs for the Atom (40w p/c into 8 ohms), and the Evoke 50 (260w rating, 4 ohms, 87db sensitivity). Dynaudio’s website recommends that the amp should be at least 20% of the speaker power rating. That would be 52w at 4 ohms. But the Atom is 40w at 8 ohms. Can that be translated into 4 ohms for a comparison?
I have to come back to my listening experience; the 50s sounded better than the 30s, so clearly it was powering them OK. But in researching this I read things about durability of the amp when the amp is insufficient.
Would appreciate a little educational here, and thoughts on whether the pairing would work.
That makes an interesting point that I have really noticed, my 250DR in to the S40 has fantastic balance at low volumes. I have always felt that the volume control seemed to bring the bass into play as you turned it up between the 8 o’clock to 9 o’clock positions, and at low volume then the sound could be a little thin. That might have been true for other speakers, but the S40 somehow manages to project bass at low volumes and is much more enjoyable as a result.
I’m afraid that you are going to have to trust your ears . The evoke is a relatively new line from dynaudio. On paper they sound like a relative bargain but i don’t think many have heard them. I’ve been meaning to go listen - a dealer near me is carrying them, but i don’t want to waste his time and my harbeth 30.1’s are staying. Can the atom run a seperate amp (later upgrade?). Otherwise try for a home demo - after extensive listening at the dealer