hi, i need some advice on my next upgrade. iam currently running; cdx / 32.5-HC - recapped 6 months ago by naim / olive nap135 mono amps driving a pair of morrison speakers with mana stands. iam also building a lp12.

i like to upgrade cdx to cds2 or 3, or are my better off upgrading to a reference series preamp for my money.

happy new years, cl..

Hi, and welcome to the forum!

Generally, a lot of people would say 'source first' and upgrade the CDX. However, I'm sure that quite a few people here are likely to suggest that the 32.5 is no match for the CDS2/3 so you may be better off upgrading amps to something that'll 'appreciate' the CDS2/3...

Not sure this helps!

Happy new year,

Phil

Hi Chunster,

I'll suggest that you get an XPS for your CDX, replace the 32.5 by a 202 or 252 and keep the Hicap for it.

Sure thing that a CDX is a fine source, it's getting up a big not with the XPS added. And the wise move in there is that you could keep the XPS for a possible upgrade to a CDS later, making the steps easier on the wallet, but not less significant.

My best wishes for 2006 to you and your family.

Bye.

Source first is wrong.

Balance is right.

Your bottle right now is the 32.5.

One argument for a new preamp is that a new preamp will benefit both CD and LP12. Depends really how much you listen to LP's

James H

You will need a XPS before being able to upgrade to a CDS2 or 3 but I tend to agree with Gary, a better pre amp is needed,

Regards

PB

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Source first is wrong.

Balance is right.

I agree totaly. The week before I went to Lisbon and so I was able to have a a demo. CDX/Nait 5i first,and the benefits of a good source just were visible when they switch the amplifier for a 202/200

quote:

Originally posted by Nuno Baptista:

quote:

Originally posted by garyi:
Source first is wrong.

Balance is right.

I agree totaly. The week before I went to Lisbon and so I was able to have a a demo. CDX/Nait 5i first,and the benefits of a good source just were visible when they switch the amplifier for a 202/200

Happy New Year Nuno

So would you think a 5 series system nicely balanced

CD555/nait5i/nSats

I bet it would sound very good.

Rotf

PS - Add some decent Stax earspeakers for extra refinement.

Chunster,

To give a variation....

The 32.5 is a damn good pre. BUT I believe it is band width limited; it was developed primarily for use with TT.

Therefore the frequency extremes of CD will be constrained.

BUT....music is in the ear of the beholder, and this may not be an issue for you.

My advice is to find a good dealer. Go for some demos......then borrow the equipment and listen to it in your system.

It may be that you want to buy second hand, and so feel nervous about using a dealer. I have found that I have got some really good deals through dealerships. Have a chat, and a cup of coffee!

Martin

Chunster

Before leaping in, think about how much you are willing to spend, and over what period. Do you want to stay with olive equipment, or do you want to move to the black stuff. If you wanted to stay olive, a CDS2/XPS and 52/supercap would go very nicely.

What sort of LP12 are you building. If it's Lingoed and Ekossed, and will form the basis of most of your listening you should be going for a 52, or 252, and worrying about the CD player later. But if CD is your main source, you could sort that out first. If buying used, whether you improve your CD or preamp first may be influenced by what equipment comes along. A supercap and XPS (or XPS2) will provide firm foundations either way.

Nigel

thanky for replies, and happy new years to all.

re: lp12, i have a late lp12, however iam looking for a killer arm, maybe ekos2 or something from origin live. iam still researching..

as far as my upgrade, i prefer to sell my cdx, and acquire a cds2/3 with xps all together and get it over with. i heard my friends cds2/xps, and it is still far superior in my humble opinnion then cdx/xps. i also have a friend; CRAZY DOC with a full ref setup. gotta be the only one like it in Canada. cds3/552, and 500's active into sbl's. and honestly, my HUMBLE feeling is that his lp12 smoked his cds3..

i heard some members preferred extension.. however, i have a total of 2-3 kits at any given time of the year. i always go back to my tubes kit; Marantz 8b, along with my ARC preamp for sweet , and sexy music. there is nothing better then females voices on tubes..

i believe audio are like shoes, one can not have only one pair. like everything else in life. cheers, cl..

There is only one arm for the Linn. Possibly the only after market arm developed only for the linn.