Wise words, I can only agree!
It’s nice to know that there are modest system that perform well, but a bigger system (when properly setup) is another experience without a doubt.
4 Likes
I wholeheartedly agree with you here @JonathanG
I believe there is no right or wrong answer here, however I’m with you on this one!
I want to get to the best system possible, within a budget that I’m comfortable with, so that I can thoroughly enjoy listening to my music catalogue for many years to come in the best quality possible.
8 Likes
I was reading a review of a Class D amplifier made in Finland. It was not outrageously expensive, but €2000 is not peanuts. Ok it got an incredible review. But then on the same site (TNT Audio) the editor took the lid off and an almost empty box contained a €300 (price to public) off the shelf module. It did have good connectors and some proprietary filtering.
The real price of constructing an almost faultless DAC or amplifier is decreasing. People will get wise to the pretty big box game sooner or later.
I am pretty amazed at the tiny Bluesound streamer I bought for €300.
1 Like
With you all the way on this!
G
4 Likes
What is it? 
This is exactly the approach I have taken as well with the final electronics in place for a couple of years now and final cable changes completed this year. I recently rearranged all my physical media to have it all in the music room.
A significant investment, but all completed before retirement. I’m now working part time as a transition and will have more time to enjoy it all. I probably have too much physical media anyway, bit will still buy the odd new gems in addition to streaming.
Despite pulling Bevo’s leg, a downsize would only be on the cards much later in life if living arrangements required it.
7 Likes
This is my view, what I have will be staying unless a change in accommodation forces a rethink.
4 Likes
Wiim seem to get good reviews around. Recently I added a Wiim Pro to my rack, it seem to have good performance at €300 only, although I use it very limited.
I’m surprised your conclusion vs your Naim setup, and agree with others, reasons could be many - there might very well be issues not addressed.
No issues. I have had the same results with another system.
Naim’s philosophy of AB amplification with massive brute force power supplies, is dated. Newer Class D designs are more powerful and more efficient, as well as not requiring large power supplies.
As an aside re: box count, I recently organised my affairs for after I’m gone.
I tried explaining how my 8-box system works, but the inheritor (of system and house) became blank-eyed very quickly.
When I suggested that she could always sell it and buy something simpler, she said:
“Oh no. I’ll keep it because I think it looks nice.” 
12 Likes
Living in 2 locations Mike causes me a bit of angst thinking about in time only one location.
The LP12 Klimax/Radikal/333/332/250 down south of Sydney plus the Core/N50/Gieslier DAC ( Aussie great dac) down there is the end game for me.
The dilemma will be the Sydney gear ie: LP12 ARO/lingo 4/ Superline/hicapdr/cd5xs/nDAC and NDX2 and N50
All I can say is the 2 N50’s are with me until the end - marvellous piece of gear
1 Like
I think the retirement zenith system is a great aspiration but, equally, take a read of this and other forums and it will be quickly apparent that downsizing isn’t some weird modern fetish. There’s a significant element of entering “snipers alley” and getting hit fairly quickly followed by a decline none of us can avoid.
Firstly, just carrying or moving the boxes becomes something which puts your spine and more at risk.
Secondly, bending over the back of boxes exacerbates all the random elements of that. Rebuilding a Fraim? ROFL.
Thirdly, there’s the cable management. You will indeed be ROF but soon enough without the L.
Fourthly, you’ll wonder why you bought anything with a screen when you can no longer read it. There is the interim six months to a year when you complain about the quality of the screen, believing it’s them not you.
Fifthly, you’ll start wondering why the labelling of controls just isn’t as clear as it used to be.
Finally, there is the apparent increasing complexity of even the simplest remote controls. Or could it be that your dexterity is not what you thought it was.
2 Likes
How depressing to think like that 
3 Likes
2 Likes
It’s not a case of thinking “like” anything. It’s a reality reflected in hifi fora across the globe. I do appreciate it’ll come as a shock to many to discover there are other hifi forums just as some believe there’s Naim or Linn and nothing else. I’m sure that many owners of high end audio also believe they’re omnipotent and can deny time itself.
The depressing thing really is just how few people think it through. Downsizing is not something you have to do immediately but hard realities get us all in the end.
4 Likes
I’m not sure any of that comes close to down sizing. Hording, maybe…..
My dentist mentioned “snipers alley” too, so I just goggled what age it applies to. It seems to be 40 to 60, so I’m close to being through the alley relatively unharmed (though just doing another round of immunology stuff for skin cancer, but I’m on top of that). As for all the bending, I do Yoga, so cable dressing isn’t an issue, but to be honest, the system is all set up and done with now, so I don’t need to fiddle with anything. Along as I can reach the power switches I’m fine. As long as I can do all the gardening I should be good.
I have the Luxman L-590AXII and Naim 282/250DR/Hicap DR. Both are sitting in a corner collecting dust with a long-term plan for them to be reinstated in the near or distant future. My main amp is now the Gryphon Diablo 300.
The Luxman 590AXII is said to sound fairly similar to the 509X with the latter sounding slightly dynamic and brighter. The 590AXII sounds quite different from the 282/250DR as it’s a lean, clean, smooth, nuanced, detailed and analytical sound of the Luxman vs. an energetic, robust and dynamic sound of the Naim. The Luxman also sounds dynamic but in a polished way.
If you intend to upgrade from 282/250DR to 252/300DR, just to let you know that a 252/300DR owner on another forum upgraded to the Luxman 590AXII which I currently own now and reported an improvement in sound quality.
Personally I am done with multiple boxes too as I’ve bought two integrated amps after the Naim - Luxman 590AXII then Gryphon Diablo 300. The only reason I am keeping the Naim separates is they still sound best when matched with Graham LS5/9. The Luxman/Graham combination sounds slightly dull and uninvolving.
1 Like
Which may be what made it wonderful as opposed to so-so (or worse, some Class D detractors might suggest) - the question then is, how much R&D, building and rebuilding, went into that before they got it right? (And what about power supply?)
That’s interesting to hear. My 282 does still sound incredible, and the Contours are a good match being very smooth and refined. Let’s see how the Luxman plays out - looking forward to trying it out. I think Naim have got a tough job to try to respond to these v differentiated views from their customers. My main thought is growing up Naim had a rebellious edge and single-mindedness that was a v clear brand proposition. That has faded a bit (along with the green tones) and for me maybe that’s made me feeling less tolerant of the awkwardness (DIN plugs, 4m minimum speaker cabling etc). Naim could maybe tap back into the idiosyncratic audiophile vibe.
2 Likes