System advice


I’m still a newbie to audio world, but a couple years ago I got Monitor Audio Platinum PL II speakers with XLO Signature cables (good old stuff), Arcam Alpha 9 amp & preamp and Naim CD5 XS with FlatCap XS. Sound was great for me - juicy, involving, deep. But then I was talked into having the whole stack from Naim. I replaced Arcam amp/preamp with Naim NAC XS 152 & Naim NAP 155 XS. I was told it will be an upgrade from Arcam and that having full stack from Naim will provide great synergy.

The problem is.. I almost stopped listening to the music right after this change. There’s something unpleasant in the sound. There’s a lot of details, good resolution but... I don’t feel amused anymore.

Recently I understood that there is no synergy between speakers/cables and amp/preamp. It’s like some sweetness, warm is missing in this sound..

But now I have no idea in what direction I should go. Any advice for a noobie?

 

gabriel123

I am not the only person who likes Naim digital gear but not their amplifiers.  I would focus on finding a substitute there.  If you can get your hands on other interconnects and speaker cables you can try something different.  Naim amps are somewhat sensitive to choice of cabling, particular the speaker wires.  If that doesn't do it, look to what you changed which you did not like which is the amp and linestage.  The components that affect the sound the most are the speakers, followed by the amplifier and then the linestage.

The only way you can determine what amps will do it for you is to audition some candidates, preferably by borrowing them and using them in your system.  For solid state, I suggest looking at brands like Ayre and Lavardin.  These deliver a sweet sound that is quite different from that of the Naim amps. 

But, my own favorite amplification is tube amps, particularly lower powered tube amps.  I don't know the specific requirements of your Monitor speaker, but, it is often the case that people are satisfied with amps of much lower output than they would normally consider when it comes to tube gear.  I suggest that you look at an integrated amp from Synthesis Audio (Italian).

+1 @akg_ca

 

Have the Naim pieces had time enough to fully break in? If not,that may be the problem. If it has, then you have a synergy problem. It’s not a lack of wattage. 60 wpc is enough to power the speaker which are 90db efficient. The amp and speakers don’t play well together. Change the amp/pre or the speakers

Personally a fan of Arcam, I feel it's highly underrated so going off that was a mistake IMHO. I’d avoid getting onto the cable merry go round personally. EIther go back to Arcam or consider Parasound or Luxman as good directions.

OP:

I’ve been thinking about your original set up and what you were convinced to change to. Arcam and Monitor Audio are great, but extremely neutral. For many audiophiles they are too laid back and warm sounding. They crave the music to have some bite, extra emphasis in the upper midrange and/or treble. IMHO, B&W and McIntosh fit in this category. If you were really happy with Arcam/Monitor Audio (and I would be) then those giving you advice to go to Naim and other cables fit in this category.

You don’t have to crave the B&W / Mc sound to be a real audiophile. Get what you like and stick to it.