System Pics 2023

Sumiko Amethyst / Moving Magnet

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In the mid-90s I also didnā€™t think that I would ever listen to Naim. This happened about 10 years ago. It all started with Supernait 1, cd5x, LP12 and Credo speakers.

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Thanks - im a relative noob and havenā€™t spent mega Ā£Ā£Ā£ (yet), hopefully a fairly good starting point though.

Details, Nac 72 > Ixo crossover > 2x Nap 90ā€™s > Credoā€™s

LP12 - entry level really, early 80ā€™s deck I believe, Valhalla, Basic LVX arm, AT95 cart - using the MF X-LP with separate PSU (to my ears thatā€™s a superb phono stage for the money).

Next up is a decent power supply for the LP12 (would appreciate recommendations - budget around Ā£500ish).
Then I would guess the most logical step would be better power amps, really like the Olive look - not sure 140ā€™s would be noticeable improvement, im assuming 2x 180ā€™s or 250ā€™s would be best?

Stacking police? - ok, what should I not be doing ? sorry for stupid Qā€™s !

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Lots of LP12 PSUā€™s around, I have experience of the Mose Hercules 2 from Stamford Audio.
We transferred the one from my LP12 to my wifeā€™s last month as I upgraded to a Lingo 4 on mine.
As for the ā€˜Stacking Policeā€™ comment, stacking equipment on top of each other is generally frowned upon. Lots of ā€˜no, noā€™sā€™ involved with doing thatā€¦:wink:

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Lots of options here, depending on budget.

For the LP12 I think I would be looking at an arm upgrade. An Ittok woukd be nice if you can find a good one.

Your preamp is probably worth keeping, I reckon 72/Hicap/250 passive would beat active 90s.

With a 250 (or two) the door is open to a wide range of speakers. Allaes, SBLs or SL2s would really up the ante.

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Thanks for the advice re stackingā€¦ hadnā€™t realised !
Yes ive heard the Hercules is well liked, in truth I suspect anything will be a massive improvement from the half dead Valhalla in it currently.

Early Lingo 1/2 should be doable in the budget, im hearing good things about the one by Vinyl Passion one too and looks pretty good vfm.

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Thanks for the advice,

Yes, I agree I would be wise to change the arm. If the existing Valhalla wasnā€™t on its last legs (struggles to get up to 45rpm with the adaptor which is a pain as I have quite a few records that are 45 - plus im sure I am going to damage something one night taking off the platter etc, particularly if the beer monkey has been ruffling my hair :slight_smile: ) id prob go Arm before PS.

Ive always lusted after an Ittok - my Dad used one on his LP12 for years and I know they are well rated. good ones are getting harder to find though and seem to be changing hands for at least 30-40% more than they were even 3 years ago.

A friend recommended the Roksan Nima arm as an alternative to Ittok for a lot less cash, im yet to hear one though - think its a unipivot (he called it a poor mans Aro :slight_smile: ).

Interested by your comment re passive 250 vs active 90ā€™s, that would prob work for me, switch to a 250 and add another one when I can - assuming they would be fine Active with SBLā€™s maybe?

Thanks for the advice though, its appreciated and defo food for thought.

Karousel bearing would be one of the first changes for me, such a big uplift :+1:

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My LP12 started out with an LVX, then I moved to an Ittok, and then Valhalla. I kept that setup for many years and never felt the need to go further. That was many years ago - if youā€™re looking for an alternative arm others will be better qualified than me to make suggestions.

I do think your system is good enough to really benefit from a speaker upgrade. What you get may depend largely on what you can find in good condition as the various Naim options are old now. They do keep the active option open though. A 250, then another one, gives you a setup that would drive any Naim speakers well. Then again, passive 135s would also be nice.

Hi Vaggoz,
According to the photo it seems that the room is not small.
If you have the possibility to move the stand between the speakers, to another place in the room, the result you will get will be much betterā€¦

Welcome Alexey. Canā€™t go wrong with a bit of Olive!

I didnā€™t really want to lose my NAP135ā€™S when I got my active ATCā€™S , but they werenā€™t going to get any use here.

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Thanks BigAl!

To my taste, Olive sounds more soulful, especially with vinyl.
I deliberately collected exactly these components
I am completely satisfied with the system but the only thing I would like to do is try SBL

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great set up

great system

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Perceived sound is so individual. I have had very little experience of Naim amps other than my CB then my 135ā€™s then fronted by my Supercap and 52.

Olives may not be "technically " as good as the later gear, bur gets to the essence of the music so well.

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Iā€™ll second that.

If you do get SBLā€™s, try to get MK2 version with Hornslett cabinets, that is, veneered on every surface. They are regarded as being the best of the SBLā€™s and are very good value for money.

Nice system BTW.

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Test for this weekend

Nova+NAP250DR versus Linn Selekt

Iā€™m excited

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I heard the Linn Selekt recently and was so impressed. It hasnā€™t lured me away from Naim yet, but certainly gave me pause for thought. I look forward to the results of your comparison.

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Itā€™s a good call and if you donā€™t quite get on with them, be sure to try a pair of Naim Allaes. They are a bit less forensic, have most of the SBLā€™s strengths, and are an easier listen if that makes any sense.

Nice looking system btw.

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Basik (sic) Selekt or Katalyst or Organic?