Hi!

Yesterday I went to a shop to buy me a 180, 72 and a HiCap. The salesman connected the system with a Sonneteer cd player and some UKP 6000 speakers (I believe they were ARS Acoustics or something). It sounded terrible!!!

Now I know that I should have heard it within an all Naim setup, but imho it should have sounded better than this anyhow.

When compared to my humble CDI, 92, 90/3, flatcap and Intro's it sounded dull, dark, shut in and very bass heavy. As I had already heard the HiCap in my system once, I ended buying only this. It sounds great in my system, better than the flatcap. Even my 03, which I have connected to the cable, sounds a lot better now. So, I'm really happy with this buy.

My question is just this: what went wrong? I have heard the 102 before, which I really liked, so I think the 72 is not quite up to par. I was also afraid of buying the 180, as perhaps this piece was guilty of the heavy bass?!

Any suggestions where to go now? I could buy a 140 and later on a 102, which I will buy for sure after hearing the 72. I don't know exactly, who can tell me which piece is to blame?

Regards, Bas

Now why do I get such a low rating for this???

Bas, never heard of of listened to either the cd or speakers so i can't comment.

Influencing factors could be the demo room, stands, etc... i have found this to be the case on 3 occasions when I demo'd a cds2/xps/82/hicap/250/sbls, everytime i got back home i just realised how g

[This message was edited by Naheed on SATURDAY 30 December 2000 at 17:48.]

I also don't know why you got such a low rating for this thread? I give you 5 stars!

I have to agree with Naheed, everything sounds different when it's not in your own listening environment. Also, I'm sure the Sonneteer (which I have not heard of at all) is not in the same league as the CDI.

Bas, you know a 102 is a great pre and will really improve everything. Make it your next upgrade if you can. The 90 should be able to handle the Intro's until you can afford a better amp. Of course, this is only my humble opinion.

What to expect from a demo in a unknown room, unknown speakers (and stands?) sourced with an unknown CD player? ... Not much I would say. Just about everything could be at fault here. Such a demo is not time very well spend IMO.

With this kind of equipment I think you should expect to listen to it at home for a few days!

Richard.

Hi,

Were these the big ARS Acoustica "MAX" speakers ? They're more than 6000UKP I believe, and they need a stronger amp than the 180 to drive the bass. I think this is a part of the problem, as these are supposedly very good speakers, I've heard their small sister, "La Diva".

The 72 is IMO miles ahead of a 92, but this again can be subject to system matching, if you have a very dull system otherwise, than the 92 may be the wakeup-call it needs, though as I write this I realize this is almost unlikely to happen.

Anyhow the Hicap is a sound investment (no pun intended).

Omer.

Yes Omer, they were the "MAX" speakers. But as I have read in some reviews, these speakers should be easy to drive!

Abyhow, I have just heard from a friend that the shop sometimes does not so fair trading. It is no longer a Naim dealer and I was told he sometimes takes his soldering iron and puts it in the Naim. Then he compares the "modified" Naim with his new brand, Sonneteer, and people buy that....

Now, I don't know ho far this is true, but I did see that:
a] most Naim's he had were modified
b] we agreed I could trade in, he denied that at the shop
c] he said the stuff was from '99; it was from '92 - '94
d] the prices had changed within a week

This is all not in his favour!!! The 180 I listened to had 2 DIN-connectors. I think this is also a modified unit? What purpose does the second connector have? (*)

Well, I wonder how you all think about this....

Regards, Bas

PS (*) Could it be a "good" connector and a "bad" connector??? It was connected by the original one...

Bas,

I have read that the "MAX" needs quite a powerful amp for the bass woofer - not talking sensitivity here, but currents, impedances etc. But this is only from reading other people's opinions.

As to that dealer - leave him alone alone with his modified kit :-)

Tot Zijns,
Omer.

PS Please be careful when accusing a dealer - I'm not saying it wasn't so, but just try to save yourself some trouble... :-)

I'm improving your rating for a happy new year !

Arie

Omer, I know you're right, that's why I don't mention the name of the (former) dealer!

Arie, thanks a lot!

Have a nice evening and a musical 2001!