My New System

[samirk]

Friends,

I have been trying to build some decent stereo system during last few months. Took me some time and effort on research.

After some research and great help from Dr. Bass, finally my 2 channel system is up. Insight provided by DR. bass were just superb.

Before I setup the system, I had to upgrade my mains. I wired separate 6mm RR Kabel running from meter room on ground floor to MCB box and then to my hifi room. My building provides three phase power. I dedicated separate phase only for hifi. Rest two phase were used for other apartment use. I built separate extension box which houses only hifi sockets. All furutech schuko sockets were used. Inside the box , star wiring was done using wago connectors. Wago connectors provided super flexibility to achieve star wiring compared to conventional method.

My new system consist of:

CDP --> Naim CD5XS
Computer based source --> Mac Mini 2011-->M2Tech Young DAC with Palmer power station
Preamplifier --> Naim NAC202 with NAPSC power supply.
Power Amp --> Naim NAP200
Speakers- --> ATC SCM40

Currently, I am using Computer based source more than my new CDP. Eventually, I think I will get rid off cdp and use only macmin+Young dac

So far I am very pleased with sounds. System is still burning in.Hoping to get it sounds even more after burn in. It seems my pre/power is notorious for longer burn in time.

Thanks to Dr. Bass for great help and suggestions.

Cheers

 

[panditji]

Fantastic system you have there Samir....Enjoy the music now...

 

[hydra]

That looks like an awesome setup! Not to mention all the special effort you've taken to get the power supply right.

Congrats, and enjoy!

Could you mention what you are running on the Mac Mini? Amarra?

 

[corElement]

Congrats. What is the sound signature like? Have you heard other inter-matching components as well?

 

[samirk]

Congrats. What is the sound signature like? Have you heard other inter-matching components as well?

Hi,

Sound is very energetic, more of live presentation. Typical Naim sound. Naim pre/power goes very well with SCM40. butI think it will need long burn in time.

Young's sound signature is more like one is sitting on first row of live show. Little bit on your face, but I wouldn't say its harsh or bright, just little more energy compared to Naim CDP. Naim CDP I found bit warm comapred to Young DAC. Once you hear young, I dont think you would go back to naim CDP. its so good. (Offcource, u may need separate power supply.)

I did not have an opportunity to hear other components. I bought all electronics based on reviews(may be little weird, but I had no other options). Fortunately, it worked

Regards

 

[jls001]

Looks like a very well thought out system. I'm sure it would sound fab.

 

[square_wave]

A system assembled with a specific philosophy. Naim powering ATCs. I am sure timing and energy will be the high point of this system. You can change the presentation characteristics by playing around with the source gear especially the wiring.

What kind of source files are you playing ? Flacs ? What player (software) ?

 

[samirk]

A system assembled with a specific philosophy. Naim powering ATCs. I am sure timing and energy will be the high point of this system. You can change the presentation characteristics by playing around with the source gear especially the wiring.

What kind of source files are you playing ? Flacs ? What player (software) ?

Hi square_wave,

I use AIFF files on Mac mini. Player is Amarra (full). It does some magic to sound which I was missing withe bare itune. It cost approx $189, but worth single penny.

 

[sameer kumar]

Congrats!. Happy listening !

 

[Nikhil]

Great setup! Congratulations! Very commendable on the quality of parts in the wiring setup - definitely one of the most neglected areas usually. Do you think you can consider a power conditioner? It might help clean up the CDP as well as the entire system. The Naim CDP is no slouch.

... don't forget to post pictures here: http://www.hifivision.com/my-audio-video-setup/

 

[TD150]

Congrats. Great System.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Samir, the credit is completely yours. Even though it is your first truly audiophile grade system, you have taken a lot of care to research, audition and setup your system. Fellow members of this forum are always happy to help anyone looking out for guidance and suggestions. I am just one among them. It is easy to get confused with so many suggestions and options to choose from, that is when a focussed research and a good pair of ears make or break things. You have done your homework and ended up with a very nice system, now just focus on collecting great music. A choice-able music collection always helps in keeping the excitement alive.

Regarding your CD player, couple of things to note:

1. 200 hours of break in is essential to hear it in full glory.

2. Though I am not into a lot of audiophile rituals, with Naim gears they strongly recommend to keep the gears switched on 24/7. The reason is, they need 48 hours of warm up from a cold start to attain the desired performance and this I have noted many times in my system. For the first few hours it really has no excitement and it keeps improving and only after being powered on for about 2 days of continuously, they really sound glorious. This is a problem but this is how it is and it is quite hard and fast. They also recommend direct to the wall without any power conditioning. Naim equipments are very well built and handle voltage fluctuations quite easily so you can try to follow this and re-evaluate your CD player.

3. Adding an external power supply (Hicap) to your CD player will be a huge jump (not required but a possible path that you can do slowly).

 

[samirk]

Great setup! Congratulations! Very commendable on the quality of parts in the wiring setup - definitely one of the most neglected areas usually. Do you think you can consider a power conditioner? It might help clean up the CDP as well as the entire system. The Naim CDP is no slouch.

... don't forget to post pictures here: My Audio/Video Setup

Thanks Nikhil. Naim does not recommend power conditioner for their setup. They feel it ruins the sound.

 

[apk]

Congratulations Samir....wonderful setup. Hope you are enjoying the ATC-Naim sound.

I hope you will be open to have some outstation members (such as me ) visit you to hear your system whenever we are in Mumbai. Would love to hear the ATCs with Naim.

Best,
APK

 

[samirk]

Congratulations Samir....wonderful setup. Hope you are enjoying the ATC-Naim sound.

I hope you will be open to have some outstation members (such as me ) visit you to hear your system whenever we are in Mumbai. Would love to hear the ATCs with Naim.

Best,
APK

Thanks APK,

You ( or any other member) are welcome to visit my place.

 

[venkatk]

superb setup yaar. wish i lived in Mumbai.

 

[cheth10]

great awesome system