System woes

I agree it is an overstated issue imho. My stuff hums occasionally but I never hear it when playing music or even the tv at quite low volumes. Speaker hiss is another thing that I have but only notice if I put my ear right up to a tweeter. It’s part of living with Naim and a non issue for most I would have thought.

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The hum from my Atom is clearly audible from the sofa despite being on the other side of the room. I put it in network standby mode to shut it up. If this happened with my main system I’d be a bit peeved if I wanted to keep it warmed up, but fortunately that is much quieter.

Yet I’ve just been reading reviews stating that Bryston lean towards the “Pro” market. And a number of musicians use Bryston amps when touring.

Not saying there is anything wrong with them,probably all any of us would ever need.

Hi NQ,

As always in HiFi context is important.

I have heard Bryston sounding detailed and sharp. I have also heard them sounding bland.

Today I popped over to a friend as I wanted to listen to the EAT E Glo Petite against his PS Audio Stellar. This friend has been doing some extended listening rounds as he looks to upgrade his system.

Having sold his Audio Note ANJ speakers he has been listening to:
Luxman 5090;
Luxman 700 pre/power;
Thrax integrated; and
Vitus integrated.

These into:
Avalon PM1;
PMC IB2; and
Wharfedale (£6k),

This was facinating and led to a number of surprising twists and turns.

My friend was offered a Bryston BP17 & got in a Bryston 4b3, which arrived today.

Up until that point my preference had been for the PM1s with the Luxman 5090. The Bryston 4B3 was delivered today and we discussed returning it without trying it, after all we knew what we were going to hear. In the event he didn’t just return it, AND we DIDN’T correctly anticipate the sound. It was SUPERB. It had all the facets I enjoyed about the 5090 with added resolution and dynamics.

Interestingly my friend had taken the BP17 to a bake off where a number of DACs were compared, he took the Bryston BP17 along as the chap who was hosting uses his DAVE as a pre. They were all less than impressed with the Bryston.

What I was listening to this afternoon was NOT mid-fi; but, as I noted above historically I have been less than impressed.

My friend has bought the Brystons & the Avalon PM1s - they are excellent.

M

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I remember when collecting my Totem Mani-2’s I met with Totems European distributor, Wim.
He was a lovely guy who enthused about how the Mani-2’s would continue to improve for months on end. He asked what amp I was using and felt the 250.2 I had at the time might struggle, which it did with the odd recording. A move to a 300 improved things and the 300DR is better again.
Interestingly, he said a powerful amp like a Bryston would be best, and better still biamped Brystons.

Sat listening to The Beatles White Album as I write and the system is sounding better than it ever has. Even Mrs O said “I’m sure I’m hearing more detail and layers”. And that’s the first time she’s ever noticed anything about the system.

Collecting the Sugdens tomorrow so let battle commence.

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When I added the 250DR to my Totem Forest Signatures, they were very happy. I imagine a 300DR up them would be nice too….

For sure,like i said,i have not heard them. The question is,where does Midfi end,and High end start? To me, High end would be Nagra,Soulution,Dartzeel,D’Agostino to name a few examples.:slight_smile:

So, would have Naim on your list of high end?

I plead the fifth.

:astonished:

surely you mean 750ml Eh!

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This is going to get into philosophy: let us first define our terms; is high end based on price and/or sound quality; what is the value of money today as against the 1950s, 60s etc.

I have heard OF Soulution, Dartzeel and D’Agostino :wink:

The prices charged by these companies get us into the area debated by Ken Kessler, amongst others. As the market for HiFi shrinks so high end companies start to increase at accelarated rates - expensive life style products for the 1%.

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Agree/concur - i.e. aligned to what the late Sir John Harvey-Jones told Morgan Cars in his TV-prog many years ago, in that their enthusiastic mid-cost target market (in relative terms) was in danger of being passed-by by continuing with cost-inflationary works’ practices (primarily their hand-built cars). And looking at their latest products and prices, so it has proved to be.

Product-led demand factors only get you so far and the cliff-edge isn’t always visible, especially if the retail front-end finds itself bearing pain by maintaining only absolute net incomes.

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Finally got to bring home the Sugden Sapphire DAP‑800 preamp and FBA-800 power amp to start the showdown I’ve been so looking forward to.
Set it up on an old rack from the loft in front of the Naim system and fired it up.
Unfortunately, the power amp has nowhere near enough oomph to drive my Totem Mani-2"s. I have to crank the volume pot way over to 3 o’clock to get anywhere near my normal listening volume.
Bryston next or maybe the Sugden M4A’s, but 1-0 to Naim at the moment.

Hi Steve,
We decided to change amps to reduce box count and to avoid neurotic set up requirements. We ended up with a Chord pre-power, 2 box set up, after aiming for an integrated like Accuphase, Vitus or Moon.

The Chord amp is designed and built by a small UK company, is faster than our serviced Naim 52/SC/135s and has way more grip & grunt.

If you like what good Naim amps do, worth a try.

Best, BF

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There’s the dilemma HH. I think a 3rd approach might be DAC/integrated with separate renderer. The latter is likely to be the bit that changes and become redundant.

Good suggestion. I think my whole approach needs to be addressed tbh.
Initially I thought as Naim had great residual value I wouldn’t need to spend much on top. After hearing the Sugden combo I’m thinking I may need to spend more than I initially hoped to end up at the same level albeit probably with a different presentation.
My dealer has Chord Dave and the like so can probably get the amps. He also does the Moon £13k integrated which will get a listen.

A similar approach worked for me, too. I no longer use analogue sources so Dave as DAC/preamp direct into a power amp works for me. I did consider the larger Chord power amps, but in the end chose the Étude which was designed to work with Dave, and it’s a clear improvement in my system over the 282/250 it replaced.

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At this stage the only streaming I’m looking at is another Node for Paradise Radio and the odd bit of auditioning albums prior to purchase on vinyl.

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