Currently I am in the process of running in my new NDX2 situated on my new full Fraim.
I have to be honest and at this stage, it’s not sounding great at all.
Coming from the origianl NDX and all equipment sitting on a shelf next to the chimney breast I was expecting an improvement out the box so to speak but unfortunately not. Now I am hoping this is just the burn in period of the new NDX2 as it’s only been turned on 48hours now.
At the time of purchase I purchased two further PowerLines to compliment one I already had enabling all my equipment to have one (NDX2, Supernait2, HiCapDR.).
I also obtained an ex demo Super Lumina Din-Din interconnect.
Not wanting to throw everything on in one go and getting lost as to what enhancements were being made by what I am going to do things bit by bit.
At the moment everything is how it was before except for the new NDX2 and it being situated on the new Fraim.
Currently I use a HiLine IC that was to me a huge improvement over the standard lavender.
Sitting next to the wife this evening while she was on her laptop and music was playing I decided to just pause the current track and swap out the HiLine for the new SL, just to check it works and then started the track again.
Well, up popped this head from behind the laptop screen and said “wow, well that sounds better, what have you just done!”
And it certainly was wow! Listened to a couple of tracks but have resisted the temptation to leave it on and have put the HiLine back in place until the NDX2 decides to fully come on song.
Those that haven’t heard the SL interconnect need to if the opportunity arises!
The joy when ones SO compliments our systems is brilliant. My wife recently commented that a track we were listening to sounded just like when we “saw them” live brought a massive smile to my face. Need to try some cable upgrades at some point. You have some improvements to come by the sound of it. The hobby that keeps giving…
Of course, but i know i should be able to get better with other cables like SL. I have tried 3 times, now trying Tellurium Q and True signals again. SL would have been nice and convenient in a Naim system. Not that i find them awful, just don,t get that feeling you are getting. So once again, glad its working for you.
Hah, this so reminds me of my aunt and uncle years ago.
He was so into boats. He had a big one moored locally. He mentioned about getting another motor on the stern and my auntie stopped doing her knitting, looked up and said “yes, dear.That sounds lovely”.
@popeye did you set up the Fraim yourself? Do you know about centring the cones in the cups so they don’t touch the sides of them when stacking the shelves and orienting the glass to give best ring? Are cables, particularly the hiline or SL, hanging free?
Cheers guys, yes I will pay a bit more attention to the fraim after Christmas as I will need to move and re build it when I add the other powerlines and dress all the cables probably.
If the NDX2 (+ Fraim and fancy cables) didn’t sound a fair bit better than the old NDX, I suspect something was not right in your setup. My first thought is that maybe the Hiline was not properly installed, and perhaps this is why the system sounded off until you changed it out.
I had similar experience this year with ND555 & additional 555PSDR,
was patient for approximately 6 months allowing for settling, then I finally gave in.
For me, It was between rebuilding 2 Fraims & redressing cables or checking speaker placement. I went for the easy option as I find rebuilds & dressing cables always stressful (no pun intended).
In my case, after moving speakers wider apart and further off rear wall
I had similar experience this year with ND555 & additional 555PSDR,
was patient for approximately 6 months allowing for settling, then I finally gave in.
For me, It was between rebuilding 2 Fraims & redressing cables or checking speaker placement. I went for the easy option as I find rebuilds & dressing cables always stressful (no pun intended).
In my case, after moving speakers wider apart and further off the rear wall I started to get a smile back on my face, it was the addition of Townshend Podiums that the smile turned to a big grin, then a laugh, jaw dropping, but that’s another story. All I’m saying is, don’t rule out speaker placement and no loose drivers.
Yep, a Fraim rebuild well done along with distressing cables and attention to dressing always helps … and I will get around to mine at some point
i only have one sheet of naim glass on my isloblue but the difference between sides when tapped siting on the naim cups n balls was quite clear, one side gave ring the other a more of a thud, but apparently not all pieces of glass show a difference…
@popeye I had a similar experience with the NDX2 but I had a new SN3 at the same time, it does take time to bed in and also for you to adapt to the new presentation - mine has been on 24/7 and running all day when I’m at work for almost 3 months now! It will get better but the suggestion of tweeking speakers is a good one so I’d experiment there too
It may be a case of what suits your favourite music. SL is very revealing and it might surprise you as it settles. SiS has often remarked about the different presentation of different boxes. I still have some memorable experiences from my 282, but overall much more of my music is enjoyable now.
Another thing is that often I find that one tweak head one off towards another tweak that one would never have done without the first. @NigelB ‘s extra Cisco 2960 PD seems to have got him closer for instance. I’ve steered clear of uPnP (at least till now) because it seemed a nightmare.
I think my wife’s reaction would be HOW MUCH did you say is that cable!! I have also just built and set up my kit on a 5 shelf Fraim with NDX2 at the top/Nac 272 /spare shelf/Core and Cisco 2960/PS555DR/Nap 252 with a sparkly bottom G3 dist box. Previously I had a Quadraspire. Adding a ex-demo PS555DR to the NDX2 several weeks ago gave a big lift. Then the G3 went in which also gave another lift to the SQ. The biggest lift has been the Fraim install. Question to the forum : how long before I need to rebuild the Fraim?
The speakers are in the same position as before. I think cable arraignments and burn in is the two factors in play currently.
The one advantage I had before when the system was on the shelf was all cables were able to hang freely and not touch one another.
Now at this moment all power cables are sitting on the floor and HiCap snaics