What was the last bit of gear you bought?

Inmynaim · August 28, 2021, 9:00pm

Inmynaim:

Just done my morning weightlifting - my 300DR arrived at 8.30 this morning!! Already evident even starting in a cold system and a period of running in required after a service at Naim, that it is MUCH better than my 200DR as you would expect!). Soundstage already wider, much more control bass is really tight) and at the same time delicacy and subtlety. As others have said even at comparitively moderate volume sounds great. I’m sure there will be some ups and downs during running in but I’m already sure this is a significant upgrade. PS As others have found Tom Tom have been very efficient and good to deal with.

System is now warming up after a couple of hours, so cranked up the volume and played Wow by Kate Bush and Boys of Summer by Don Henly, both Wow moments,. A bit of juice just opens everything up - spine is tingling nicely!! Music is just flowing effortlessly.

Update on the 300DR … now running in nicely. I haven’t had any days where it has sounded flat, just a steady improvement. A big difference from my 200DR (which I was always happy with). I am hearing more detail, deeper and wider soundstage. Good at low to moderate volume, just better in every way. Music seems easier to listen to, if that makes any sense. One happy bunny here!!

steviebee · August 28, 2021, 9:29pm

Yes, “music seems easier to listen to, if that makes any sense” makes perfect sense to me. It just flows!

Inmynaim · August 28, 2021, 9:35pm

Its like sitting in a concert hall every day! I wondered whether to go for a 250DR, I’m very glad I went straight for the 300DR, my end game as far as a power amp is concerned unless I win the lottery!

IanF · August 29, 2021, 7:37pm

Out with the old, in with the new.

A (slightly) sad farewell to my NDS, which I bought new in 2012 and which has, for the most part brought me great joy. However, the screen has now completely packed in and even with fast fibre broadband, pauses in play and dropouts were too frequent. With no access to Hi-Res or cheaper streaming services without cumbersome (to me) workarounds, I took the plunge and auditioned an ex-dem ND555.

Everything is just so much slicker with the 555 and the fact that, with just one 555PS, it outperformed the NDS with two by some margin, means the deal has now been done.

Cheers,

Ian

frenchrooster · August 29, 2021, 7:51pm

You are comparing streaming local files or online streaming? ( Nds vs Nd555)

IanF · August 29, 2021, 8:19pm

Both.

To my ears, there is no meaningful difference between like for like albums from my NAS and those streamed from Qobuz. I am actually considering getting rid of the NAS and UnitiServe because the ND555 can play all my local music directly from a SSD/HDD drive connected to its USB socket - which also sounds exceptionally good.

I have bought exactly 2 CDs in the last year and now buy any new music on LP or stream it; hence the desire to improve the streaming side (though it still isn’t (mostly) quite as good as my P10/Aura )

Cheers,

Ian

ChrisSU · August 29, 2021, 10:14pm

This can be a very good solution and will suit a lot of people. It does have its limitations though. If you have a large library it takes a little while to scan before it is visible in the Server input. If you remove it to mount it on a computer to add more music or edit files the streamer will have to rescan the drive every time. Not a problem for everyone, but something to be aware of.

Pete_the_painter · August 30, 2021, 2:45am

I’ve gone from buying about 3 or 4 CDs a month to none, the last I bought was with a gift card from Christmas. Qobuz has converted me.

Katzky2021 · August 30, 2021, 3:13am

Brazil wasn’t a Monty Python film.

anon39880737 · August 30, 2021, 3:51am

Indeed, but I think FR’s point was that Brazil a la Bolsonaro could be a Monty Python movie. (An observation I could wholeheartedly agree with!)

Pete_the_painter · August 30, 2021, 4:09am

Brazil was a great movie, for some strange reason a lot of people seem to think it was a Monty Python movie.

bruss · August 30, 2021, 6:55am

Terry Gilliam, ex Monty Pythons, is the connection.

SteveC · August 30, 2021, 6:59am

Tempted with one of these

frenchrooster · August 30, 2021, 8:30am

Terry Gilliam realised these movies, Monthly Python and Brazil. I should have written that Brazil was his best movie.

Inmynaim · August 30, 2021, 8:42am

You and me both Pete! Qobuz delivers more than 90% of what I want to listen to, and have hardly bought a CD since the arrival of my NDX2 last October. There are a few artists Qobuz doesn’t cover and I will be searching those out on line.

Terry · August 30, 2021, 8:48am

And Michael Palin, not really pythonesque imho, too sad an outcome,more 1984/animal farm, brilliant movie (and soundtrack) though.

Pete_the_painter · August 30, 2021, 8:58am

Qobuz has a few holes in their library here but thankfully there’s not that many. I was never going to stream other than I own files, I should have learnt by now never to use the word never.

I’m a believer.

Inmynaim · August 30, 2021, 9:05am

I have never regretted going the streaming route. SQ is very good and it has really opened my eyes to the vast choice of music out there. Youngsters who just listen to top 40 crap don’t know what they are missing. I’m also in the believer club

Terry · August 30, 2021, 9:08am

They probably do😀

Terry · August 30, 2021, 9:12am

I felt like that when I bought my first Sonos including bundled Napster quite a few years ago, usability and choice and reasonable sound, it’s hard to justify the cost of a Naim separates system sometimes, says he who’s contemplating an upgrade…… I think I’m in denial, I wonder is there a 12 step programme for hifi addiction🙂