Hello,

I have recently purchased my first piece of Naim equipment - a CD5i-2 as a replacement for an Audiolab 8000DAC/8000CDM combination that finally gave up the ghost after 10 years! I have to say I am delighted with my new purchase which has caused me to revisit my entire CD collection. Everything sounds so much better, less harsh, sweeter, more detailed.

My system is very much at the budget end of things with an Audiolab 8000S amplifier and KEF Reference One speakers.

I would like to improve things further - where do I go next? Replacement amplifier - replacement speakers? Nait-5i or SuperNait?

Advice/recommendations would be appreciated.

Barry

Welcome to the forum

My advice would be to to audition a Nait 5i to go with your CD5i - the Super-Nait is, of course, even better - if you use a computer based music server or similar then you can take advantage of its DAC.

My father's system is Apollo/Nait 5i/Allaes and sounds great. Your CD player is better than his IMHO - the italic version of the CD5i sounds better than its predecessor to me and the original was pretty good. So CD5i/Nait 5i would make an excellent no nonsense system to complement your speakers.

ATB Rotf

The Nait is the obvious amp to use, as the snait really warrants a better CD player than the CD5i. With the Nait in place you can spend time with your current speakers and may or may not decide to change them. I'd live with the pair of Naims for a couple of months, and then, if you want to try alternative speakers, try a few at the local dealer. Do make sure you get a decent rack to put the Naim stuff on, and a pair of Naim speaker cables.

Nigel

Welcome to the forum Barry.

My only thoughts to add to ROTF & Nigel's good advice regard speaker cable & budget.

Decide what you can afford to spend, then consider your options.
Many Naim dealers sell ex' dem' & 2nd hand equipment,
& this is often the best way to get the biggest bang for your money.

If you use Naim electronics & Naim speakers, IME Naim speaker cable works best.
If you use Naim electronics & non-Naim speakers it is worth investigating other LS cables.

Have fun - John

P.S.

Beware, Naim is rather like ...

Welcome barry. I second ROTF's recommendation for the Nait5i-2. I use this myself with the CD5i-2 and it is a superbly musical combination. I downsized recently from CDS3, 252, olive 250, and I can tell you that the entry-level combination is in no way disgraced by this. If you like what the CD5i-2 does, then I think you will be thrilled by using it in combination with the Nait. I don't know your speakers, but try to listen to n-Sats if you can and see what you think. They work very well indeed with this set-up.

Regards,

Peter

Further to Nigel's and 555's posts, which I hadn't seen, yes the rack and cables should be considered an integral part of the system. You just won't get the best out of your set-up otherwise, which is a shame considering what it is capable of.

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by 555:
Welcome to the forum Barry.

If you use Naim electronics & Naim speakers, IME Naim speaker cable works best.
If you use Naim electronics & non-Naim speakers it is worth investigating other LS cables.

Have fun - John

And if you see a horse John might be in the nearest.

Here's an idea - don't do anything! Enjoy your system. Enjoy the new buzz it gives you for as long as it gives you that buzz. Why change? You're enjoying it more than you have in a long time. Sure, you could improve the system, and there really would be improvements but why do it now when you're just rediscovring your CD collection. Rediscover it first until it becomes usual (say a year or so) and then once the buzz has subsided consider a new component.

In the meantime, have a HiFi fund and save up. This'll allow you to really go for a big step up in performance which will give you another big buzz that may last longer.

FWIW, the KEF Reference 1s are rather discriminating. You may be able to get away with a Nait5i-2, but I rather think that a SuperNait is the more appropriate match of amplifier. The problem would then become that you have built a mullet system with the weakest component being the CD5i (although some may say that the speakers, being KEFs, are already the weakest component! ).

I hope this makes some sense...

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Abela:
Here's an idea - don't do anything! Enjoy your system. Enjoy the new buzz it gives you for as long as it gives you that buzz. Why change? You're enjoying it more than you have in a long time. Sure, you could improve the system, and there really would be improvements but why do it now when you're just rediscovring your CD collection. Rediscover it first until it becomes usual (say a year or so) and then once the buzz has subsided consider a new component.

In the meantime, have a HiFi fund and save up. This'll allow you to really go for a big step up in performance which will give you another big buzz that may last longer.

FWIW, the KEF Reference 1s are rather discriminating. You may be able to get away with a Nait5i-2, but I rather think that a SuperNait is the more appropriate match of amplifier. The problem would then become that you have built a mullet system with the weakest component being the CD5i (although some may say that the speakers, being KEFs, are already the weakest component! ).

I hope this makes some sense...

Frank,

Thanks for your comments and advice - can you explain what you mean by "rather discriminating" - does this imply the KEF speakers are difficult to drive and would benefit from a more powerful amplifier? My current amp is an 8000S which is only rated at 60w into 8 ohm impedance - this seems to cope quite well and has more than sufficient drive for the room in which my equipment is located.

Barry

Barry

By 'rather discriminating' I meant they quite revealing of any limitations in the electronics. I'm not sure if you've heard of the source-first principle of HiFi system building. In essence the principle espouses the idea that the source is the most important part of the HiFi chain. This is a principle which finds many adherents on this forum. The idea is that if you have an excellent source, then the quality of the music signal remains unblemished for longer through the chain, whereas a broken signal can only be amplified and cannot be fixed further dowwn the chain. The better the speakers, the more likely they will reveal inadequacies further up the chain, and of course if you have a better amplifier then it faithfully describes and amplifies that broken signal.

Now I'm not saying the CD5i is supplying a 'broken' signal per se, but in the context of your speakers, it's lower in the pecking order, although it's well balanced with the 8000S. If you added a SuperNait the CD player may become the weak link, and since this goes against the source-first principle, it would not be the way many would advocate building a system.

Of course, in the end you may find that putting in the Nait5i brings huge benefits simply because of the difference in presentation between the two amplifiers and the natural synergy between the Naim components, enough so that the result of the combination is still significant bang for your buck.

I was simply making you aware of your system building options in the Naim philosophy.

Frank,
Thank you for that - I now understand fully your earlier comment. In the meantime I will follow your advice and maximise the enjoyment from my new set up. I guess it will pay to visit my local Naim dealer and do some listening tests.

Regards
Barry

Have fun listening Barry.

BTW have you heard of 'upgraditus'?
If not try entering it in to the forum search tool.

quote:

Originally posted by 555:
Have fun listening Barry.

BTW have you heard of 'upgraditus'?
If not try entering it in to the forum search tool.

I did a search, then picked up a phone and ordered a FC2X.
It will get you everytime!!!

quote:

Originally posted by 555:
Have fun listening Barry.

BTW have you heard of 'upgraditus'?
If not try entering it in to the forum search tool.

Hmmm. Lots of that round here. Must be highly contagious

rega1's experience is a frightening reminder of how virulent & infectious upgraditus is!

quote:

upgraditus

I do NOT suffer from upgraditis - I could stop any time - honestly - I could - I mean I'm not just saying that - that said I think a Power-Line would be just the ticket ......

Our best hope of a cure?