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Post by Sovereign on Apr 7, 2017 14:12:20 GMT
Martin , your correct about a live band. In a small venue it can be a wee bit harsh to listen to at times, but nothing quite like it. The scale and impact is astonishing
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 7, 2017 14:21:55 GMT
How did you like your system with the Epos ES-14's Paul? Loved it Jules, was just after a little more detail and depth of bass. To be honest, when I first got the Focal's I was very happy, I think the subsequent 'upgrades' have potentially knocked the system away from my preferred sound. Yes Epos and Expo meant to be a classic combo... I have heard that Royds love Expo amps as well... Can you remind us what the upgrades have been after the Focals arrived?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2017 15:47:00 GMT
Sure.
Naim CDI - Naim CDX2 (which I've subsequently sold) Logitech Squeezebox Touch / Beresford Caiman II - Naim NDX Alphason Stand - Audiophile BASE stand
I have also bought a TQ Black interconnect and MCRU No. 9 power cable which I use with the NDX Streamer.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 7, 2017 17:17:07 GMT
Are you able to try the Logitech / Caiman combo in place of the NDX?
Can I also ask if you have the same issues with the sound when playing vinyl?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2017 19:04:33 GMT
I have tried the Caiman II on the Naim streamer and it certainly made a big difference, which is stupid really when you consider their respective price points. The base NDX is quite thin sounding but with overblown bass, which I believe is part of the issue with the brightness issue I am experiencing. As Dave says above, and as with the CDX2, if you add the outboard power supply (XPS2) it gets a lot better but they are circa £1,000 to purchase second hand (they retail for a ridiculous £3,850 new). Considering baby is on its way, we just don't have the disposable money to fund such a purchase at the moment.
My next plan is to put the Logitech / Caiman back into the system and compare it to the NDX on its own initially and then again with the Caiman and see which one comes out on top.
On Vinyl it is not in anyway as obvious, but still there to some extent.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 7, 2017 22:04:23 GMT
Keep us posted on this Paul - will be interesting to see what the solution is...
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Post by Sovereign on Apr 8, 2017 8:05:58 GMT
That's a good strategy pj. I'm sure it's been mentioned before but a good PSU on the Caiman makes a Huge difference. I bought a lab type one that Stan recommended and it was a substantial difference. It gave more meaty and sparkly, sorry for the non descript words. Maybe you can sell your Naim and but some nappies
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 8, 2017 10:07:07 GMT
Go back to basics. Try a switched socket even ! Take all the recent mods out, test. I assume the system will sound not good at all. Should be a nice surprise as to how not good it sounds Put each mod back in, one at a time. Each mod should give a small increase in sound quality. If not that is the one causing the problem. The problem may also be the mod is revealing the system weakness.....
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Post by dsjr on Apr 10, 2017 6:48:58 GMT
Colin W will confirm, but the TQ cables acted as some kind of filter I seem to remember him saying, slightly 'slugging' high frequencies somewhat if I'm not mistaken...
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 10, 2017 16:44:47 GMT
I remember hearing the TQ coming as a big improvement to all the Kimber interconnects I had
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2017 17:24:09 GMT
The TQ were a massive improvement on my previous Chord cable.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 13, 2017 10:32:53 GMT
TQ was good, but Yannis interconnects outperform them at lower cost.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 13, 2017 15:03:12 GMT
2nd hand market unbalances the new price.
TQ are at least around with a nice price reduction on new. Yannis cables don't come up
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 16:14:30 GMT
Lots of testing today with interesting results.
Think I've come up with some conclusions.
Logitech Streamer + Beresford Caiman II ---- Easy to listen to with added remote Volume due to the variable output which is convenient as the Exposure don't have remote volume.
Naim NDX Streamer ----- adds a lot of detail and control but nowhere near as easy to listen to with a lot more forward vocal which I think is part of the annoyance.
Naim NDX Streamer + Beresford Caiman II ----- Much easier to listen to again with a warmer presentation, vocals are still forward but more acceptable and detail has further increased with deeper bass and further bass.
Naim NDX Streamer + Beresford Caiman II + Stillpoints (Supports) ---- Even better, bizarrely a lot smother sounding.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 13, 2017 17:07:03 GMT
Mr Beresford does make a very nice DAC !
Try the Caiman on RDC cones to get even better. If you have a granite placemat or similar try that/them on top of both
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Post by John on Apr 13, 2017 18:10:05 GMT
I notice you do not using anything to clean the mains to NDX? Might be worth considering this. Soething like the NVA balanced power supply punches above its weight Still think you better off with the Black Raviolli under the NDX it will work a lot better than what you have
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 18:24:01 GMT
Still think you better off with the Black Raviolli under the NDX it will work a lot better than what you have I've tried Black Ravioli (the older ones) and they weren't as good as the StillPoints. I'd like to try the new Black Ravioli at some point but funds aren't there at the moment. id certainly like to try out a power cleaner of some description. I might try a NVA (although not sure where I'd put it) or a P5 some time in the future.
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Post by John on Apr 13, 2017 18:34:47 GMT
Mike has a spare P300 he might be able to lend you for the NDX to see if it makes a difference
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 18:43:58 GMT
Yeah he does. It's massive, I don't have a lot of space so wasn't sure where it'd go. I'll have a think.
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Post by John on Apr 13, 2017 18:51:34 GMT
They good for central heating too!
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