I would use the Star as a source, the Aethos is a much better amp, put it like this, the Star comes with streamer, cd player and amp for about £600 more than the Aethos as an amp.
What’s stopping you is that you’d have two preamps in play, unless you connect directly into the Aethos power amp in. You’d be better swapping the Star for a ND5XS2.
Haven’t purchased, played or ripped a CD since getting the P8 so 100% agree thats the way to go. Looking at SH values would also be a zero cost swap to a ND5XS2
Hi @anon4489532,
I have used mini trunking, painted to match the wall, for many years to ‘hide’ my TT leads. From more than a few feet away they appear virtually invisible.
To avoid drilling walls mine are held by a couple of Velcro sticky pads & have never fallen off.
Picture below:-
Anyone got trunking big enough for nine Burndys?
Eurotunnel, but I think it’d be a tight fit.
Moved the Azur851n off the top of the Sony DVD player. The keen-eyed may notice that I am currently playing my (only) SACD "Cantate Domino ".
I heard Jülsang" through the six-pack DBL system set up for the Naim musical evening: no exaggeration, it was stunning.
The Sony was purchased in August 2001, and as you can see, is still going!
It’s always good to see systems with multiple sources, and you’ve some lovely sources on show there. Oh, and Olive kit always gets my vote.
Why thank you Graeme. I could get my Sony STD777ES tuner out of the loft, I suppose, seeing as there is a gap
In all seriousness, The Naims were manufactured in 1991/1995 and bought by me in 2005/2006, the Nakamichi I got in the mid-90s, the Sony’s are both 2001, the Sondek was 1984 iirc, with the Ittok following 3 years later, the Ushers I bought in 2006. Only the Tron and the Azur are from last year. (The Technics cassette deck was an e-bay purchase, but even that was 10 years ago).
My point? With a bit of luck, manufacturer support and buying decent quality gear, the costs of this hobby are perhaps not as great as they may seem, once longevity is taken into account.
Available in 6 metre lengths and up to 600mm diameter couplings available for longer runs.
Tremendous! Great to see source components and speakers that are rare here in the UK.
One thought, if I may.
Have you tried swapping the NAP500 head unit with the olive Supercap?
Having both the 52 and 500 head unit on the left (as we look from in front) puts the large Naim power supply transformers for the Supercap and 500PS on the far right. This often results in a small but noticeable and free improvement in performance.
Best regards, BF
Ha! I do. I’ve reorganised things a bit and the dangly wires now look less of an issue and are something I can live with. It looks better balanced overall, I feel.
Think you have pulled it off nicely, i can lend you some mess and vacuous branded cushions if you need to finish off the whole feel.
Genuinely think you’ve got the balance right here and envy your attention to detail.
I heard it. Absolutely stunning! Especially with the Solstice and Satriani playing. By far THE best setup ever heard.
Even with some trunking you are going to see some cable unles you had something really think that bridged the lower level of the shelf. Probably not worth the effort
Is that a lovely old Ittok there?
Incidentally, is there any hidden ‘name’ behind the Ittok? I ‘get’ Sondek and Ekos, but I’ve never understood where Ittok came from.
Mr Itoh, of I think Canon - yes, the camera people.
The Ittok was made for Linn, in Japan. Not sure if Canon made it - or just parts of it. Believe it was the springs that they made…?
Mmmh, I’ve checked the calendar, but it’s not April the First yet
My sincere apologies if this is a true story,!