Office set up - Options

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi folks, first time poster but have been avidly reading posts for info for some time…

I love Naim, my main listening room system is LP12, SN3, ND5XS2, CD5i, B&W 805 - couldnt be happier with this set up, at some point I will upgrade the streamer to a NDX2, perhaps in the future a bigger upgrade to seperate pre and power amps but for now really happy.

The LP12 and SN3 were a fairly recent upgrade, they replaced a Rega P3 and an Nait XS3 - at the time I part exchanged the XS3 for the SN3 but I kept hold of the Rega TT an thought Id use it to form the start of a new system for my home office (small room 3m x 4m).

I purchased a 2nd hand Uniti atom, a Rega FF Phono amp and decided to repurpose a set of B&W CM1’s Ive had for 15 years and most recently being used on an AV set up

I was and am a little underwhelmed - feels lack lustre, no real bass and the sound just seems a bit bland…

Room set up is a bit limiting for placement, speakers currently on stands but ideally the speakers would go on a shelf or a unit top.

Ive recently purchased a set of Neat Motive SX1’s (size was a big factor) and a REL Tzero subwoofer - plan was to try and incorporate these two items and see if the sound stage improves, if not then I was thinking on seeing if my dealer still has my XS3, get that back off him for the trade in price he gave me and pair it with a Eversolo A6, possibly ebven an external DAC. Had also thought about going to Uniti star or Nova… but still a one box option vs seperates

For the office in particular I like to have the big screen showing album artwork etc… dunno why, just like it!

Appreciate folks thoughts on the Atom vs the Star or Nova, and both of those vs the Nait XS3 and Eversolo…

From experience of the Nait XS3 and the Rega partnership I know thats an awesome combo…

Long post, but appreciate any thoughts of the experts

CHeers

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Hi Steve - welcome to the forum! You’ll find tons of good advice and extremely knowledgeable and helpful people here :grinning:

As someone who’s had a number of the B&W CM series way back when, I’m not surprised with your experience. Even in a small room. I always felt they were a bit flat and dull. And, like you, I made lots of combination changes to electronics. At the end it was just the speakers.

Keep the electronics a constant and experiment with a few different speakers - those Neats may be just what the doctor ordered. Good luck!

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My cm1’s sounded dull with my Nait 5, but with the SuperNait 1 it was an entirely different animal.

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At one time I had them powered by a Rega Brio and recall them sounding amazing… surprised me as the Rega was only 50wpc and the atom 40wpc so thought they would be fine

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Great little system there, I know as I practically have the same :grinning:

My office is approx 4m x 3m. I have a P3/Exact/Rega Fono with an Atom and SBL’s. SBL’s are against the long wall and sound fantastic, as did the Royd Sorcerers I had in here previously. So it can definitely be done with what you have.

I also highly recommend the Rega power supply for the P3. Made quite a big difference.

J

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My experience with B&W speakers is they like power and, as always, a great source. My experience with the Atom is how great it is as a compact all in one. I had it in my bedroom with a pair of Harbeth P3ESR SE and loved it. I gave it to my daughter with a pair of Focal Aria 906 which is a great match also. IMHO if you are going to keep the Atom, get a different speaker. If you love the B&W then I would get more power (SN3/Hicap DR).
I would keep the Atom. :sunglasses:

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I got the motive sx1’s yesterday and set them up, tbh no real noticeable difference yet but I’ll run them in over next few days and see what they sound like then

Also got a rel tzero compact sub so may give that a try in the system

It’s also got me thinking about speaker cable. I’m using decent quality qed cable with banana connectors, not Naim specific cables

I wouldn’t have thought that would make much difference but I do have some small runs of Naim somewhere so I’m gonna try that too

Still not convinced by the atom

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That’s interesting that the Neats didn’t change that much. I would have not expected that. Have you thought about yanking the SN3 out of your main system and dropping it in your office for a few days?

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Yes it’s on the list of things to try, I’m just leaving the system on all weekend to try and run the speakers in a bit first, then I’ll maybe do a side to side comparison to the cm1s
I’ll let you know how I get on
Cheers

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ran in over night and through the day, beginning to sound better… added the little REL Tzero sub when I got home this afternoon and better still !

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