Go for the 32 over the 42.5. The 42.5, great pre that it is, is very veiled compared to the 32. IIRC you can get the 72 boards into it for further gains.

James

Sorry about the hijack

Hi Christopher,

Since I bought the Supernait and moved to a house with a much bigger living room I'm finding the Sttaf speakers really good.

I was trying to say that they need a reasonably powerfull amp to drive them.

I listened to a PMC OB1 with a 5x/SN combo the other day and they sounded very nice together - much more bass than my Sttafs. I'm hoping to try some Focal 1027Be at home soon. They (apparently) are easy to drive and look lovely. I've heard them in an other set up and liked the sound too. I'd really like to get as near full frequency as possible.

Regards,

Huw

Huw,

Thanks for clarifying that. My query was prompted by a comment I once heard from Mike Creek of Epos: "it's not speakers that boom, it's rooms". It looks like a more grunty amp and a bigger room has sorted it.

Patrick,

CB pre/HC/and 250....it's got the look, it's got the muscle. Should sound sweet!

Regards, Chris

my vote is for a CB Nait 2, if integrated and vintage naim looks are the order of the day, the Nait 2 gives both in spades. The Naits do indeed punch well above their weight and the '2' is gorgeous and fantastic value for money. strong presence and punch at lower volume - ideal for an apartment. If you want to fall in love, go check out sandy8's post on page 68 of system pix 2008!

All,

Many thanks for the direction.

We are now trying to source him a 32.5/HC/250.... or a 42.5/HC/110.

If he went with the 2nd combo, is the HC needed, or recommended? Or is the 110 power supply enough for the 42.5?

Thanks again!

the hicap is defiantly recommended. the 110 will have more ability to do what it can.

Go for the 32.5 over a 42.5 - it really is much better and the cost differential buying these now is minimal.

32.5 / Hi / 140 would be a very nice combo. Swap the boards in the 32 for 72 boards and he'll have an excellent system.

James

Patrick,

The 110 is just 27wpc. Ensure you match it to a more sympathetic speaker than a Rainmaker.

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone.

I now having him shooting higher.

CB or Olive is a must, he is really liking them now. He asked me if a high end, recapped CB kit would be more desirable than a used 5i? I had to say yes...

So he is getting into a 32.5/SNAPS/250.

250 was recapped 7 years ago.
Unknown about the other two.

A couple questions...

- The SNAPS will work in lieu of a Hicap for the time being, correct?

- It comes with various phono boards. Will these be sufficient until he has more cash to drop on a phono pre?

- If he did get a phono pre, can I assume that an Isupply or FC powered Stageline would work with this kit?


Many thanks again.
Patrick

Patrick,

Yes, the SNAPS will work instead of a Hicap. It's an earlier power supply.

Provided the phono boards are the right type, then they'll suffice (some would say they'll more than suffice).

If he got a Naim Stageline, he could connect it using another supply such as iSupply or flatcap. However, a Superline requires a minimum of a flatcap (I think). Incidentally, I'm not sure if a Flatcap2x betters a SNAPS - I've never compared the two. An FC2x would allow him to power both phono stage and preamp at the same time.

A non-Naim phono stage would simply need an interconnect since it will have its own power supply.

Here's some first-hand experience with the initial inquiry. I currently run a Nait 1 and Totem Rainmakers (using NACA5) in my office (roughly 11ft x 12ft x 9ft (ceiling)). Source components are a CD5i (with Naim DIN) and two turntables--Sota Comet with Rega 301 (incognito rewired) and Benz Ace H as well as vintage Luxman PD121 with Infinity Black Widow Carbon Fiber (also rewired with Cardas in the tonearm and Quadlink DIN to RCA to the amp) and Ortofon Super OM40. The combination works quite well, with some caveats. First, volume is rarely above 10-11 o'clock due to size of room and workmates. Second, I listen almost exclusively to 40s-60s acoustic jazz, with a bit of 70s rock as well as Radiohead and Wilco (which, BTW, sounds fantastic on this set-up in this room)--no hard rock. My attempts at any complex orchestral music were disappointing (extreme congestion--both the system and me), probably as a result of power constraints.

I also own a Nait 5i, which I've used with the CD5i and Rainmakers, alone, and with the Nait 1 as a phonostage using a Chord Cobra 2 tape monitor cable. As compared to the Nait 1, I prefer the sound of the 5i as I don't have the congestion issue and the system, itself, seems more alive. BUT, in the context of my office, the Nait 1/Rainmaker system works very well. In fact, prior to the purchase of the 5i, I was more than satisfied with the sound and would have stayed with that combination except for need of a remote control in the work environment.

Next step is replacing the Nait 1 with a dedicated PS so that wonderful amp can go home to the bedroom.