LFD NCSE Mk 1
BACKSTORY:
I’ve
been in and out of the industry since 1976 as a specialist high-end
retailer. I was for some years [until I resigned the franchise
earlier this year] an official by which I mean full-time] :FD Audio
retailer.
SCOPE:
This
piece focus on my experiences as both a retailer and home-user of the
NCSE I, NCESE II and NCSE III. Future posts, if I can find the time,
might include my observations re other LFD Audio electronics.
EXPLANATORY
NOTE:
I
am going to focus on the ‘upgrade’ path from NCSE 1 > NCSE II
… but not NCSE II > NCSE III because I found the differences to
be slight and unworthy of the price to change!
SOUCES
AND SPEAKERS.
For
continuity I always used a Sony CDP XE-530 with LFD Grainless
interconnects and LFD Hybrid Ribbon Type R speakers cables. I didn’t
use vinyl nor FM.
Speak
pairs used included the superb Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures, Burton
Somervell floor standers and my JPW Minims … an ebay bargain @ £25
A
LEVEL PLAYING FIELD:
During
such adventures I ALWAYS use a sound pressure meter [usually around
£30] too ensure that everything is heard at the same volume.
MY
REFERENCE:
XTZ CD and amps
AN
INVALUABLE RETHINK:
At
first, I was only interested in finding units which equalled or
exceeded the NCSE 1’s performance without focus on cost! Then I
thought, well why not look for pre-owned gear which closely but not
entirely mimicked its performance at the lowest possible price? And
that’s precisely what I did.
NCSE
I versus the pre-owned rest part #1
Quad
44 + Quad 405
On
the day, at my usual listening volume I could barely tell the
difference. A higher volumes, the Quad pair was less shrill. At lower
volumes, bass was lumpy, lacking definition and agility. However …
The
NCSE 1 was sold for £1,150 and the Quad cost me £330 and therefore
on the basis of overall satisfaction – in this specific context –
the Quad combo was the winner.
That
said, I knew instinctively that a more satisfactory outcome could be
achieved for not much mire money, if I was patient.
CONCLUSIONS:
The
NCSE 1 is a superb amp within its limitations
It
has battleship build quality and very rare on the auction sites.
To
date, 100% reliability other than the occasional volume control
replacement under warranty.
You
can get very close to the sound for far less money than the typical
asking price!
