So, I have a 272/250DR/XPS DR, currently into Ruarks, and need to change the Ruarks.
Looked at Bartok into ATC SCM40a’s - very nice, until I heard the Rossini and clock, and then into 50a’s - exceptionally nice. So have decided am happy to spend more on hifi, but this has doubled my spend and at that money there are bound to be other options.
(Trying Dutch & Dutch 8c’s but not convinced - slightly digital sound and forward vocals, less presence, though excellent for a standmount at their price)
But what else? If I extend my Naim kit then I’ll need a preamp and probably an NDX2 and another XPS DR, into… Focal? Harbeth?
or do I keep the Rossini but look for a preamp and speakers (but will I get anything like the ATC SCM50a performance for similar price (~£11k))
or move to an ND555…
Decisions, decisions - but I’m sure many have had similar thoughts and want to comment - so please do!
All the trials are done in my house, and I know it’s my ears that must judge (and Mrs Xcentric’s too) - but narrowing down the options would help…
The question is so broad it’s impossible to answer. Starting with ‘I want new speakers’ it then covers assorted high cost sources and allsorts. Perhaps the OP could think things through, work out the budget and explain what is being sought. Options range from adding a 555 to the 272 and getting new speakers to canning the lot and starting again.
It started as a simple upgrade to speakers and has got more complex and expensive over time. Part of the problem is that there is an ok budget to upgrade but I don’t want to go step by step by step as that’s always very expensive… but changing everything is proving hard to manage. Perhaps it’s more of a philosophical question - how does one step up a few levels at once, in a sensible way?
With electronics such as yours, my dealer is a huge fan of Focal Sopra 1s. It’s possible that they could be such an upgrade over your existing Ruarks that you put everything else onto the back burner.
@xcentric I had the exact same system when I first entered the Naim world. I did have sopra 3 speakers (should have used sopra 2’s). I quickly upgraded to 252/300/nds same speakers. A year later went to 552/500/555 with Focal Maestro Utopia’s. Now according to some members on here this upgraditis is a mental problem that I should be spending money on a therapist and be satisfied with what I have, it’s been a fun journey that I would probably undertake again. For the money your system is a great system. I don’t know if this is possible, but my recommendation to you is either: (1) buy a nice pair of speakers that you enjoy the sound, or (2) trade in all of it and buy what’s fits your budget, (3) second hand equipment if purchased from reputable dealer is perfectly fine. The problem with buying one piece at a time is the break in or run in time. There really is such a thing. I would never have believed it, but it’s true. I especially found this with all the 500 series equipment and definitely in the super lumina speaker cables and connectors. If possible you really need to hear your system with different speakers (at least 2). Try something warm (Sonus Faber or Harbeth) and then something brighter (focal or atc ). At least go to a shop and hear them on their same equipment. This advise is worth what you paid for it.
Thanks for the inputs. Fully aware of the benefits of used - in fact, the vfm is so much better that buying new is actually quite hard to do!
Agree too about running in. Might try some Focals with what I have though heard a pair a while ago and found them too harsh and bright. But that wasn’t at home, though driven by same system as I have.
The simple upgrade (excellently reviewed Bartok into excellently reviewed ATC SCM40a’s) is indeed an upgrade and excellent, but as there’s clearly better out there I need to experiment some more…
I have used Ruark Sceptres for years because I really like the drum sound from them. I have recently moved house and have a (small) dedicated listening room. On a smaller budget than you, I had a demo last week. I finally settled on Proac DB3s. Just waiting on supply now.
6m x 5m
brick wall one side (long side), 2 plasterboard walls at ends, plasterboard/French window opposite brick. Vaulted ceiling, so 2.5m lowest point rising to 5m at peak, across room. Relatively neutral room, resonance at ~40Hz.
Soft furnishings, rug, canvas paintings on wall infilled with fibreglass insulation = acoustically absorbent. Only hi-fi (separate AV system).
Listened to a few today - Kudos Titan 707’s were great, but the Dynaudio Confidence 50’s were epic. Focal Sopra 2’s were nice, B&W 803’s were too bright for me.
