System edited: Just added the Rega DAC. Superb streaming Apple lossless files and Pandora via the Squeezebox. Also giving the CD5X a run for its money using a DVD player as a transport.
System edited: Pulled my old tape deck out of a closet. Easy addition of 200 albums to my collection, and the kids love it. Doesn't sound great, but not half bad.
Absolutely. So far, so good. The boys were rocking out to Radiohead's The Bends tonight before bed; a couple of nights ago it was The Strokes. They're excited for the new releases. My seven-year-old turned me on to both bands, and his three-year-old brother is on board, too. It helps to have kids with good taste in music!
It's an interesting (eg: terrifying) challenge to have a really satisfying hifi system and children. Just look at all the sellers on A'gon who are quick to label their gear as being from a childless environment.
I have a tube amp and exposed speakers in my tiny Manhattan apartment. It's all naked and at risk during wild playdates for my six year-old, but so far the hifi gods have smiled on us.
It's very easy to lose sight of the purpose of this gear and become a fetishist, but when my kid dances to Sharon Jones or gets lost in a string ensemble, I understand what I spent my money on.
So, at some point a light saber will smash a vacuum tube or a curious little finger will crush a tweeter and I'll have to remember that it's about the music.
You have some beautiful audio gear - I hope you'll keep perspective when it happens.
I moved the speakers forward a bit on the console (just 5.5 inches, from 2.5 inches from the back wall to 8), and, wow, what an improvement. Better all around, but greater clarity and better bass integration in particular. As significant an improvement as a component upgrade ...
I've been "talking" to you on the Naim forum. Thanks for the input. I've seen your system many times here. It looks great and I'm sure it sounds fantastic. I love how you have it set up.
Thanks, Mapman. (Btw, your system is great.) I think it's easy to get fooled into thinking that a compromised setup is good enough. The Dynaudios were a big improvement on the Quad 11Ls they replaced, but, for me, the Snells are a huge improvement on the Dyns. I did get the Dyns out into the room on stands briefly before I sold them, and they were so much better. But I'm really in love with the Snells (it helps too, that they were cheap!).
Based on my experience with similar (rear ported) Dynaudios, I think you are right about the placement you had being less than optimal for them to shine. Other acoustic suspension or front ported designs might well outperform them. Getting synergy between speaker and placement in the room is a big part of the battle! A great speaker may not sound great in certain settings.
Your speaker switch is very interesting, and a good example of room and placement having a significant impact on the listening experience. I also recently had a speaker journey, purchasing pairs of Harbeth 7ES2, GMA Callisto,and JMR Bliss, and auditioning them all while they were in-house together. In my system, my room, and with the placement limitations I have, the least expensive Reynaud was the clear winner for me. Cheers, Jim
It is interesting, and I was torn because the Dyns are very fine speakers. I really think that it's about the room (and maybe the electronics). I'm curious enough about how the Dyns would sound with more space that I'm going to drag out some old stands before I let them go. But the Snells work so well and sound so right that more than anything else I'm just really pleased.
The switch to the Snells is very interesting as the Dyns have a fantastic pedigree. I am in a similar state though. My Kestrels have been compared to much "better" speakers in my room, better being defined as well reviewed as well as more expensive, but they just suit me better. For me it boils down to the way the Kestrels sound more musical, not mechanical. Great find.
System edited: I'm trying out a pair of Snell K/IIs (my Dynaudio Excite X12s are in the closet). My sense is that the Dyns are better speakers, but the Snells beat them in my room. Positioning is the issue. I could never quite get the Dyns right. A foot from the wall and on a 20 inch tall console instead of proper stands, either the bass was overpowering or, with the ports blocked, they lost some clarity in the midrange. The Snells can go right up against the wall and in the corner and work really well in my live room. They're a bit rough on top compared to the Dyns, but the big surprise is the quality of the bass (or really mid-bass, since they don't go very low). I'd convinced myself that the Nait was powerful enough for the Dyns, but I can play the Snells louder (much louder in fact) without feeling that it's too loud, which suggests that I was wrong .... I think they're keepers.
System edited: Replaced CD5i with CD5x and ... wow. Loved the CD5i, but this is better in every respect. Naim sound (fast, rhythmic, and incisive) plus hi-fi (more air and bigger, better defined soundstage).
Exceptionally clean looking system there Andy. You have put together a system that must sound as good as it looks. I really like the industrial style cabinet. You are a brave man leaving the Dynaudio drivers exposed to your two-year-old's curios fingers. :)
Soundgasm, the quality and fit of the Mshelving unit is excellent. It's easy to assemble and pretty sturdy. Not ideal for audio equipment if you're looking for an acoustically dead stand, but it works well for me and looks nice if you like the modern industrial design thing. The company was great to deal with.
Thanks, Linnie. I really like the Naim setup; very good value for money on the low end. There's something about the black boxes (Linn, too). I listen to a lot of rock (right now, Bowie and Beck are in heavy rotation), but some jazz, too. Bill Evans is a favorite.
Afranta: Thanks for your kind words on my system and cabinet. We love it! When we built the house in 1996, flat screens did not exist and any CRT over 36" was a beast! Custom installs are very nice but not practical and limiting over the long haul as I've learned. I'd love a bigger TV but no way with this cabinet!
Our TV's are identical with the exception of the 5" difference. It was the only 1080p TV that would fit in the cabinet when we bought it 3 years ago. Now, I could squeeze a 40" Sony in there given a smaller bezel. However, it's not worth it for 3" until I really need a new TV - way down the road.
A friend in LA just bought the same Naim amp you have at my recommendation. He loves it!!!!
Never really heard Linn speakers but I'm sure they are nice.
Linn and Naim are like squabbling siblings - lots of similiarites between them. I think they even shared R&D costs at one time. Both make excellent, world class equipment at all price levels. Some premier dealers even sell both.
So what kind of music do you listen to? I'm mostly a jazz guy but have a huge, eclectic collection.
nice system indeed. May I ask how you like the quality/fit/etc of the mshelving? Thinking about picking some up myself, but I've never actually seen it in-person...
Super nice system! Love your choices. The Naim 5i kit is excellent for the money and I used to own Dyn X12s myself so I know how great they sound. I suspect you've got some great synergy there with the Naim/Dyn pairing. I also really like the clean look you've got going. The Dyns look sensational in maple. Congrats!
