quote:

I've read on this forum that the higher up the upgrade ladder you go, the laws of diminishing returns applies, but I've found the opposite.

A very honest and sensible statement - I tend to agree. Of course, I'm happy with my modest system, but can understand why folk spend more to get more from their music collection.

Could never understand why somebody would spend a lot of money on a car when they could spend it on getting more enjoyment from their music collection. I guess it is all a question of what you get the most pleasure from - being stuck in a traffic jam or listening to some wonderful songs.

ATB Rotf

Dear ROTF,

People who buy the newly Naim equipped Bentley can enjoy both!

Geroge

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Of course, I'm happy with my modest system, but can understand why folk spend more to get more from their music collection.

Umm.....haven't you just bought a fully kitted out LP12SE? I'd hardly call that "modest"....

You folks living in the UK or EU don't know how lucky you are when it comes to spending $, Pounds or Euro's on Hi Fi Equipment.
If you can be bothered, take a look at exchange rates for the New Zealand Dollar against the big heavy hitters - we get a royal shafting!
I have just returned from 3 weeks in France watching / following the Tour De France and am not looking forward to the Visa bill that will soon appear in my letter box.
All in all, is money well spent.

Agree with the comments regarding the huge $ spent on cars!! just takes you from A to B, but also a big status symbol, especially in NZ.
Both my Setero and Bike are individually worth more than my Car - indicates my priorities.

I was at a fund raiser last spring and a sapphire blue Bentley convertible roadster was on display. Somehow I was blinded by the color, price tag and coach work in tan, and didn't see the Naim logo. And my own framed ink drawing only brought in $150 so i couldn't plunk down a payment.

I must say when I bought a car in 2003 I wanted the Ford Focus ZX5 with what we call a hatch back. I thought it had great design and handling. Economy was the thing and a friend who owns Alfas said he likes the ride too, in fact he may buy my old one because it has better air conditioning and all 4 windows work.

Now I'm looking again and tho I don't think the outside styling is as HOT I"m going to be leasing a new one thru my dad's plan because he was a Ford executive and the 2008 model really wowed me. I"ve convinced dad to give up driving and let me have the lease as I"m down often enough to take him places. At 87 ya gotta make some adjustments in life.

I'd rather have a better sound system than car.

glenn

I'm so stinkin' rich, I never even think about it.

....NOT!!!

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

I guess it is all a question of what you get the most pleasure from - being stuck in a traffic jam or listening to some wonderful songs.

ATB Rotf

Unfortunately, the pain of driving is all to real for many of us and most find it an unavoidable annoyance. I must admit I spent more on my car than my kit.

Happy with both!

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton: Unfortunately, the pain of driving is all to real for many of us and most find it an unavoidable annoyance. I must admit I spent more on my car than my kit.

Same here! And I listen to A LOT of music in my car. Got some decent kit in it and I must say I'm often quite impressed by the sheer power and dynamics in the small confined space.

Richard.

I suffer a few doubts before lashing out, but once the kit's up & running I forget about the cost.

Of course, there's the additional quid-pro-quo costs, such as jewellery (what a criminal waste of money!), new kitchens (nowt wrong with the old one, dammit...)etc.

Quote

Dont go 552. Get out and about and visit some people on here to listen to their systems. Find out what you like. Find out what makes you tick. Then once you have worked out the right way to move, make some moves. But not until there


Dear Ian,

Jon is completely right. If you are looking for something different, then you really should spend time listening to your music through other arrangements till you know what you really want.....


Jeff/Jon

Thanks for your replies regarding my post. I am not sure how to go about listening to other peoples systems in their houses, but I agree I need to seriously consider in what direction I want to go. I have auditioned every purchase I have made, however the original purchase of the CDX2 was only auditioned briefly at the dealers, and it sounded so different to the other equipment I heard, I think I was too quickly swayed by its distinctive sound. I have to say I have not liked the sound of it since the moment my one turned up, and every direction I have gone in is in trying to reduce its rather hard sound. I have not yet found a delear who thinks that there is any problem with the CDX2. I don't think I have any issues with set-up as I have been to several dealers listening to many speakers, and have not heard totally diferent sounding systems. I think you are right that I might prefer the CDS3, but I probaly will never feel that the system justifies the price tag. I have serioulsy considerd putting the whole lot on e-bay, cuting my losses and starting again. However I am partially swayed by the many many happy owners who post on here into thinking that there must be some trick or something I am missing.

Regards

Hi Ian,

I'm using exactly the same kit as you, other than a 555ps instead of the XPS2, and, to my ears, it sounds great. I compared the two power supplies with my CDX2, and the 555ps won hands down, so see if your friendly Naim dealer will lend you one for a couple of weeks.

The player itself is certainly more "in your face" than the more refined CDS3, but in my case, I preferred it's more musically involving output.

Before spending any more money though, maybe consider room acoustics, which might be contributing to the harshness you're experiencing. If you can hear any echo when you clap your hands, then maybe the room is too bright. Try chucking a few rugs and cushions in there, and things might improve no end.

Hopefully, you will begin enjoying your Naim kit sooner rather than later.

Regards,

Dave.

In response to the thread title............No regrets here!!

Ian

Have you tried a Bedini Clarifier?
I was very sceptical until a unit was demonstrated to me a year ago.
To my ears it removes harshness & makes CD sound more natural,
although it will not make a poor quality CD sound good.

Quite a few Naim dealers stock them, so shouldn't be too difficult to hear.

Cheers - John

quote:

Could never understand why somebody would spend a lot of money on a car when they could spend it on getting more enjoyment from their music collection.

Absolutely - I spent three times the cost of my car on my HiFi system very much with that thought in mind ROTF.

I had no concerns spending what I did in my HiFi, because it was money in the bank.
I'd never borrow £ to upgrade my system.

Most of my gear except the 282/HiLine/Stageline are 2nd hand purchases.

I was thinking of going to the next level, but I haven't yet concluded that the cost mathes the musical gains.

regards

Peter

I have to agree with the comment about law of increasing returns.

I am very content listening to either

a) nait1 into some small old speakers
b) old naim pre/power/hicap (chrome bumper, all half width) into Kan 1s

and

c) sixpack dibbles

most stuff in the middle leaves me cold. If I cant have the momentous 6pack dibbles, Id be quite happy with nait and kans. Even NBLs wouldnt work for me. As JV said: "IMHO, the NBL doesn't come close to the DBL in terms of transducer accuracy, but there are many other criteria that are important, not the least of which is size and appearance."

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Of course, I'm happy with my modest system, but can understand why folk spend more to get more from their music collection.

Umm.....haven't you just bought a fully kitted out LP12SE? I'd hardly call that "modest"....

Not quite - it is an ordinary LP12/Ekos-SE with my old trusty DV20XL and a phono-stage. I'll have to keep saving to get it keel-hauled. The idea is to avoid future upgrading - my hope is that once eventually keeled then this will be my final TT

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Dear ROTF,

People who buy the newly Naim equipped Bentley can enjoy both!

Geroge

Dear George
What about owners of slightly rattling Hondas?
I'm happy enough with my Pioneer that Honda thoughtfully included - especially like the way it takes 30 minutes to load up the 6 CD pack player and the lack of pre-sets on LW where I listen to TMS, of course.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Originally posted by JonR:
Umm.....haven't you just bought a fully kitted out LP12SE? I'd hardly call that "modest"....

Not quite - it is an ordinary LP12/Ekos-SE with my old trusty DV20XL and a phono-stage. I'll have to keep saving to get it keel-hauled. The idea is to avoid future upgrading - my hope is that once eventually keeled then this will be my final TT

Ah - I see, thanks for the clarification!

I question the value of the equipment before purchase not just Naim but anything really but not to the paranoid/nth degree state.

I justify the hi-fi, and the ever emerging CD collection on the grounds that music is a lifelong obsession - there is simply no cure - and that I don't have any other expensive hobbies nor do I go to the pub on a regular basis or such like. Put up against the cost of following a premiership football team season in season out or the green fees at a golf club it seems like a pretty good investment to me.

Fender (Strat)