How to know what is the bottom neck in a setup?

[admin_exported]

I had a full Naim setup with a pair of Dynaudio Focus 110. I was wondering how does one know what is the bottom neck in a setup. I am happy with my setup but just curious on how to optimize it to the fullest but do not where to start with. My setup is as listed below , any advice?

Naim 202/200/NAPSC/HiCap2, Naim CDX2, Dynaudio Focus 110 on Target MR70, VDH D501 , VDH SCS 16, Isotek Gemini , DIY powercord using recipes from VH audio

 

[Craig M.]

bottom neck? dunno.

if i had to guess at the bottle neck, i would go for the speakers. yours are very good but can be bettered. if you like the dyn sound and have enough room to position them properly, i'd try to hear some contour s1.4 - great sound and a big step-up from the focus. if you want a change from the dyn sound or don't really have the room to position properly, try some atc's. totally different sort of sound, in fact they don't have a sound, they'll just give you the character of your electronics and whatever you're playing.

 

[Anonymous]

My setup is a small room and i actually downside from a pair of Spendor Floorstander. I had set a budget for a Contour 1.4 but end up with the 110 as i can't justify the marginal improvement from the 110. The dealer was driving the Dyn with Plinius setup. The C1 is fantastic though.

 

[Craig M.]

well, just shows how some kit can perform differently. with moon amplification there was a very big difference between the 110 and s1.4.

is there anything you don't like about the sound at present? or are you just trying to get that extra couple of percent from your current kit? don't know your speaker stands, but my old 110's appreciated my atacama hms2 when i got them. they are mass loaded with atabites and are very heavy. top plate is a bit big perhaps for 110's though.

 

[chebby]

Write a list of what you are happy with about the sound, and then list what you are unhappy about.

In theory (looking at your system details) I cannot see anything that should cause any concern.

Personally I would chuck out all the fussy/tweaky cables, but - presumably - you auditioned them all first and identified the improvement with each one after comparing with Naim's own cables.

Have you filled your speaker stand columns?

Have you experimented with speaker positioning with regard to distance from the walls etc?

Maybe your system is actually fine, but you are always anxious to find something to do next and find it hard to simply relax with good music and forget the hifi.

[Edit: Sorry Craig. Was typing - and doing other stuff - so ended up unwittingly duplicating a couple of points from your last post.]

 

[Anonymous]

I am please with the sound actually. But just thinking bout anything i could do to make my setup perform better. 😛

 

[Dave_]

nexski:I am please with the sound actually. But just thinking bout anything i could do to make my setup perform better. 😛If it aint broke........

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Chebby, well i start with Nait5i/CD5i and with the recommended cable stock pc, din and Naca 5. After switching to 202/200 there is a huge improvement. With every added PSU to the 202 , it bring it to the next level.

I don't use the Naca5 as i somehow find the bass get bloated , thus after tweaking with cables from Nordost, Kimber and many other brand. I settle with VDH, even the din was DIY by me with VDH wiring.

I somehow reach a standstill in a way i do not know what else can i tweak. Maybe it already max out?

 

[Anonymous]

BTW my target had 4 individual column, how does filling it change the sound? My last experience with my previous Primare setup, filling up the column of my then Acatama stand make it sound dead.

 

[chebby]

nexski:Hi Chebby, well i start with Nait5i/CD5i and with the recommended cable stock pc, din and Naca 5. After switching to 202/200 there is a huge improvement. With every added PSU to the 202 , it bring it to the next level.

I don't use the Naca5 as i somehow find the bass get bloated , thus after tweaking with cables from Nordost, Kimber and many other brand. I settle with VDH, even the din was DIY by me with VDH wiring.

I somehow reach a standstill in a way i do not know what else can i tweak. Maybe it already max out?

I started with my current setup fully intending for it to stay that way. I am not by nature a serial upgrader or box-swapper (until 2 years ago I had the same Rega/Kef/Yamaha system for 11 years).

I actually wish I could 'downsize' to the naimuniti but that would cost me money (and a lot of hoohah selling all the boxes on ebay etc.)

I guess we are a bit different in that respect.

 

[Craig M.]

nexski:BTW my target had 4 individual column, how does filling it change the sound? My last experience with my previous Primare setup, filling up the column of my then Acatama stand make it sound dead.

i briefly tried my stands empty before filling 3/4 full. the sound was a little more focused with bass being a bit tighter, not a big difference. but changing speaker stand from some mission stance ones, to the atacama's produced a big difference. not saying changing speaker stand would work for you, but might be worth trying a change if you have a dealer who can let you demo some at home.

as you say though, maybe your present kit has no more real gains to give?

 

[matthewpiano]

If you are enjoying your system, don't worry about changing anything. If you have spare money, why not use it to expand your music collection instead?