Recent content by Hawkwind16

Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge

There's Watts and there's Naim Watts Not all Watts are equal Watt ? !

The main advantage of using a CD transport is in using a high quality external DAC. You may find using the digital out on a cd player will get you close.

Sadly all hifi is expensive, and the original RRP is not too bad when compared with the (in my view) inferior sounding Naim Nait XS3, and the quality of the product.

Thanks - are those easy to install ? And where to buy from - Dell ?

Let us know how you get on

Thanks All Yes its a Dell XPS 8930 Desktop PC, and I have windows 11 installed. It appears my 2tb hard drive D is unused ! So I'm now looking to shift some storage onto that to free up the memory a bit

ime a cheap cd player will always outperform a cheap record player

Well i have heard the difference, and it is clear. I too was surprised at the difference a good DAC can make

Yes thats right - the improvement is clear

I had exceptional results with the old Focal Aria 906's. Currently using Stirling LS3/5a V3's - also great.

So I have a 6 year old Dell XPS which is starting to slow down, with occasional freezes and my memory is almost full (some big programmes, plus bloatware?) I looked at the current Dell XPS's which seem to be still highly regarded, and it looks like my current PC spec is still pretty competitive...

The Marantz SA14S1Se wil knock the socks off your cd player if you can find it second hand. I found the SA8005 a bit dull and shut in but others seem to rate it. I haven't tried the Pearls, As an alternative try a good outboard DAC eg Denafrips

I'm a great believer in the benefits of high end DACS. I used to have the Qutest but have moved up the Denafrips ladder to the Venus 2, which is FAB. More soul body and detail over the Chord.

I have the Naim Nait 50 - cracking little amp. I preferred it to the Naim Nait XS3 and the Supernait 3 (I think the WHF review is nonsense). I think the simple design somehow maximises its hifi qualities, it is punchy focused detailed and musical. Over on the Naim Forum there is a long running...