Mu-so upgrade advice please.

[blapper]

Hi guys, I made the mistake of selling my lovely system when I moved to France due to space constraints. I bought a Naim Mu-So 1. I find it to be disappointing in many ways - it's muddled and treble isn't detailed and bass lacks dynamism.
I'm not loaded so that is limiting my options I know. I would upgrade to gen 2 if it is worth it but I can't see such small speakers giving me the punch I miss. I stream my music and want to keep it simple. At a pinch I would accept a system which has separate speakers.
Can you suggest some systems for me to audition please?
Thanks.

 

[Messiah]

What budget do you have in mind?

 

[blapper]

I'm a pensioner so as small as possible! You can see by the mu-so 2 upgrade comments that I would like it to be hundreds not thousands, but let's just say as small as possible. 😁

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I've moved his into the main forum - you're likely to get more response there.

 

[RoA]

I would probably look for a s/h Atom or Audiolab Omni or similar with decent sized speakers. Best of both worlds and likely a sonic improvement on all-in-ones.

 

[Messiah]

With regards to the Naim, I totally agree with how you find it. My friend has one and I was not that impressed with it.

Do you still have space restraints? Ultimately this may determine what people can suggest.

Out of intersect, what was the system you loved?

One system I would certainly consider is the KEF LSX II / LT - https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/kef-lsx-ii-lt

 

[blapper]

If I told you my old system you wouldn't be much the wiser. LP12 front end, then bi-amped modified Quad 405's driving SES120 mkII's. Took years to get there and sorely missed.

I am liking the Atom from the reviews, and it gives me flexibility to choose speakers which is probably the only way forward even if it is expensive.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[nopiano]

Are you back in Blighty now? If so, just visit a few dealers, even Richer Sounds and John Lewis, let alone all the independents and big brands like Peter Tyson, Sevenoaks and Audio T. There’s no substitute for seeing the designs, and hearing a few possibilities.

You might enjoy a mini system, or you might prefer a modern streaming speaker, like the KEFs mentioned above. Or a regular amp, streamer and pair of speakers. (I enjoy a surprising variety of speech and music on an Amazon Echo in the kitchen, even though I’ve a super system just across the hall!)

 

[Revolutions]

One system I would certainly consider is the KEF LSX II / LT - https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/kef-lsx-ii-lt

I instantly thought the KEF speakers. Or a WiiM Ultra & some active bookshelf speakers. But then I realised the latter makes things needlessly complicated, especially as I’m not sure what small active speakers don’t have built-in streaming. No point making the search more complex & paying for things you won’t use. (Oh, and there’s the fact you’d need phono-xlr adapters as WiiM doesn’t have xlr out 🙃)

Yes, couldn’t get more different from your old system @blapper 😁

 

[Gel Man]

Hi guys, I made the mistake of selling my lovely system when I moved to France due to space constraints. I bought a Naim Mu-So 1. I find it to be disappointing in many ways - it's muddled and treble isn't detailed and bass lacks dynamism.
I'm not loaded so that is limiting my options I know. I would upgrade to gen 2 if it is worth it but I can't see such small speakers giving me the punch I miss. I stream my music and want to keep it simple. At a pinch I would accept a system which has separate speakers.
Can you suggest some systems for me to audition please?
Thanks.

I had the Naim Muso once and I returned it as I didn’t get on with it and thought it was over priced for what it is. I have heard the Naim Muso 2 in John Lewis and my honest opinion was it was worse than the first, especially at loud volumes, and overall it wasn’t good. I would buy a Samsung flagship soundbar over the Naim Muso, probably not much help for you though, unless you like that sort of thing too.