Been giving it some thought in lockdown and in the absence of live music :
282/HC + 250DR (wary of a SC since that could lead to a temptation of a 252 etc etc!)
Better source (streaming from NAS and Qobuz using Roon)âŚ
Speakers, possibly
In a family room so that would do me I think
The 250 sounds like a no brainer from everything I hear here. Need dealers to be able to reopen for the others really
What are the symptoms of speakers that are hard to drive and not having an amp that can do it? Iâve often wondered but realised I donât actually know. They sound great at low and medium volume, but if I turn it up to much beyond 10 oâclock then the sound loses that wonderful cohesion So I only do this for the odd track (say Rammstein) when I really feel the need . Iâve been putting this down to poor room acousticsâŚ
Looking at the speaker specs they arenât overly sensitive at 84db but they are a nominal 8 ohm load so I maybe wrong.
Someone else maybe able to advise a bit better.
Itâs not that your speaker is hard to drive, there are just limitations to what a small speaker can reproduce before you hear distortion.
The larger the cone membrane area, the more air it can move without a struggle.
Obviously they are nice speakers and i can see that you have a sub, but remember that the one driver is still trying to deliver 30-40 hz bass whilst delivering clean midrange and it has its limitsâŚ
Having owned an NDX2 with an XPSDR and an ND5XS2, the latter beats the former with a Qutest (if you like the sound of Chord DACs). As a source, @stevot, an ND5XS2 and a Qutest is a really smart choice as you have a top digital transport with a world class DAC. The NDX2 cannot match this, even with an external PSUâŚto my ears!
To my ears an original NDX trounces a Qutest if you value music over Hifi.
The Qutest clearly shows how a Naim DAC could improve, itâs more resolving for sure but itâs listening to the Naim source that keeps my attention and enjoyment.
It reminds me of TVâs that are set in demonstration mode in shops like Currys, they are there to impress but very trying to use for any period of time.
I could, and have, bought into that idea but I like âresolvingâ (if I think I understand what you mean by that). The Chord DACs are so expressive and have such clarity, which for me makes the music (and I value music over HiFi). If you suggest that a Qutest clearly shows how a Naim DAC could improve, I wonder what it is youâre listening to in your NDX?
I suppose it depends what you want and what you like. Naim must be doing something to please me as the signal is being sent through a smorgasbord of Naim equipment! But the current streamer sources really feel, and sound, like a case of badge over value.
It wasnât my NDX but a friend who has both. We compared NDX and NDX/555 vs the Chord. NDX was the source to the Chord.
I agree that the Chord DAC is more resolving but if you donât enjoy listening to it then whatâs the point. It was a pretty revealing system (282/SuperCap/300/Kudos C10) but to my ears the Naim source presented the music in a more meaningful way that kept my attention.
I can see why people like the Chord DAC, itâs forensic retrieval of detail can be appealing to some. The owner uses it for TV sound and it works really well for this.
I used to have an NDX but now have an NDS/555 DR which gives the best of both worlds!
Thanks for Posting this Video, roda! It is very helpful.
Iâve had a SN3 since Summer 20 and have added a HC DR quickly after some weeks. I am very happy with the Setup. It shows far more musicality and clearness than my old Musical Fidelity 308.
Maybe in some years I will continue the âelectronic Legoâ You guys here have loads of more experience than I have in Naim gear. Maybe you could answer some questions for me?
What gives a better improvement? Adding a pre amp oder adding a power amp first?
How good is the power amp section of the SN3 compared to NAP 250 DR and 300 DR?
Pre amps generally worth doing before power amps.
A better Pre will generally unleash more of the music and add extra clarity and openness. Providing the source is up to the job and why most follow the source first philosophy.
The Supernait amp section, as good as it is, is not a comparison for a 250 or above.
The 250 has so much more control of the speakers and grips them extremely well this is very noticeable with big transient changes within the music. In turn the music is much more free from the speakers and not stuck to them.