Naim NAP 155XS + NAC N 172XS enough to drive ATC SCM 11s?

[hone_u2]

Hello everyone,

Since my last post I auditioned some speakers for an NAP 155XS .....

And in my bucket list were,

KEF LS50

ATC SCM 7 and 11 (liked the 11s a lot better)

PMC DB1i

ProAc Studio 110

I really really like the ATCs, one of the reasons being the soft dome tweeter, because I prefer the sound of a soft dome over a metal dome. I'm just wondering if the Naim pre power that I have, would be good enough to drive the ATCs.

the other alternative I'm considering the LS50s, because of the sheer pleasure of listening to the emmaculate imaging, the transparency and the scale.

Though the ATCs I felt did not go as low as maybe the KEFs went, but the ATCs bass extension was a lot smoother, and I preferred that.

i have also had little experience, not enough to have an opinion, and have been advised, that Naim goes better with soft dome tweeters.

could really use a lot of suggestions!!!

thanks for reading! 🙂

 

[hone_u2]

Also, is there a significant difference in the way the Nait XS drives from the NAP 155xs?

if its an integrated it should slightly be lacking right? Is that in power as well or only sound quality, openness etc?

 

[Frank Harvey]

Also, is there a significant difference in the way the Nait XS drives from the NAP 155xs?

The biggest difference will be in the pre-amplifier section. Naim pre-amplifiers don't have onboard power supplies, so there's no big transformer interfering as you would get in an integrated amplifier.

 

[drummerman]

Fair enough if you didn't enjoy the metal dome speakers you've heard so far but there's more to a good speaker than the cone/dome material.

In certain ways, metal/ceramic/diamond etc domes have inherent advantages over soft/textile ones.

regards

 

[hone_u2]

Thanks David,

Yes, I guessed it would be the same thing...

although I'm still wondering if its good enough to power the ATCs. I'm thinking of the 11s because of their size and obviously because they sound much much better than the 7s.

all speakers from SCM7 to 40 say they have a power handling of 50-300w, in my experience, always, Naim amplification has proven to be heftier than stated in the specs, but I'm wondering if that will hold true even in this case or not.

i feel the same about the PMC DB1i

and I'm wondering if the LS50s will be good for the Naim, in both ways, amplification, and sound.

because as I mentioned, I feel soft domes go better with Naim than metal (just my opinion).

 

[hone_u2]

Fair enough if you didn't enjoy the metal dome speakers you've heard so far but there's more to a good speaker than the cone/dome material.

In certain ways, metal/ceramic/diamond etc domes have inherent advantages over soft/textile ones.

regards

Thanks for your reply,

yes, I completely agree that there's more to a speaker than the material of its dome.

it was only by elimination, that I realized that I don't like the metal tweeters.

I listen to a lot of Kraftwerk, sometimes the synthesizer creating the higher notes, sounds slightly sharper and over a long period fatiguing... This was remedied when I changed the amp, but I love naim for the sonic signature they have, and that's one component I'm not willing to change. And with the Naim, I felt metal tweeters haven't always gone best.

I do understand and realize, that metal domes are more accurate, and in some constructions even long lasting over the soft ones, but its just that little high note that perturbs me in electronic and rock.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Thanks David,

Yes, I guessed it would be the same thing...

although I'm still wondering if its good enough to power the ATCs. I'm thinking of the 11s because of their size and obviously because they sound much much better than the 7s.

all speakers from SCM7 to 40 say they have a power handling of 50-300w, in my experience, always, Naim amplification has proven to be heftier than stated in the specs, but I'm wondering if that will hold true even in this case or not.

The 155XS will be fine with the SCM11's.

i feel the same about the PMC DB1i

The DB1i's are pretty easy to drive, so don't worry there.

and I'm wondering if the LS50s will be good for the Naim, in both ways, amplification, and sound.

because as I mentioned, I feel soft domes go better with Naim than metal (just my opinion).

The LS50's work fine with the Naim amps. I would say it is more dependent on how well a manufacturer has used a metal dome tweeter. I do understand people's concerns, but there are some great sounding metal dome based speakers out there, just as there are some awful soft dome ones.

 

[hone_u2]

Thanks a lot David,

I just purchased The LS 50s. And I'm sure ill love them.

Although I'm thinking if I should go in for NAP 155XS + NAC N172 or 155 + 152 + ND5XS...

I absolutely love the streaming preamp, but logic tells me, because I didn't get to listen to them... The separates would be better.

however, if I don't get the money for it...

I'm thinking....

would there be more of a compromise, if I go in for the Nait XS and the ND5XS or the NAP with the NAC N 172?

 

[Ketan Bharadia]

I would go the ND5XS/Nait XS route. In my experience the stand-alone streamer sounds better than the N-172 and the Nait XS will drive the KEFs well enough.

 

[hone_u2]

Thanks for your reply Ketan.

This is what I think too, but still going in for an integrated vs a separate system has its losses...

and when I heard the 2, I personally felt that the 172, sounded slightly more open... With the NAP 155, than the ND5XS with the Nait.

how will a 3 piece separate work in your opinion?

NAP 155XS + NAC 152XS + ND5XS

 

[hone_u2]

Thanks for your reply Ketan.

This is what I think too, but still going in for an integrated vs a separate system has its losses...

and when I heard the 2, I personally felt that the 172, sounded slightly more open... With the NAP 155, than the ND5XS with the Nait.

how will a 3 piece separate work in your opinion?

NAP 155XS + NAC 152XS + ND5XS

 

[Needajobby]

If you have the space for floor standers, i have the tannoy dc6t se's in the same naim set up and they sound incredible. I tried a few others including neat motive 1 and 2, pmc's etc but (room size permitting) the tannoys were clear winners. Don't let 60w fool you. I've NEVER managed above 60 on the pre amp volume! There is no need but i know they will continue to sing. I also listen to a fair amount of electronic music such as black dog and massive attack etc

 

[hone_u2]

Not very satisfied have to say...

thinking of moving to Classé CP-800 and CA-2300

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Not very satisfied have to say...

thinking of moving to Classé CP-800 and CA-2300

Hi hone_u2

Not very satisfied with?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[hone_u2]

Not very satisfied have to say...

thinking of moving to Classé CP-800 and CA-2300

Hi hone_u2

Not very satisfied with?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Hello everyone,

ive been a longtime Naim user and so far have always been satisfied with the purchase. But now I feel disappointed with their finish and just overall ease of use.

Now because of a lot of reasons am planning to make a move to something different and definitely better.

My speakers are KEF LS50

As of now, Classé is on the top of my list, because of their amazing build quality, finish and definitely the most important thing- they are able to produce a clean, transparent, clear and natural sound. Initially sounds very dull to a Naim, but its the sound you want to settle with because it not colored and is neutral. I personally felt (hard to admit as I had Naim loyalty haha), that this sound brought me closer to the artist.

I currently have an ND5 XS with XP5 XS, 152/155. And all my streaming setup is based around that. Am considering Classé CP-800 with the CA-2300.

a move to classe would mean directly connecting the computer through USB and using iTunes as the main interface.

now, being a naim person I am slightly confused if this would definitely result in better sound, because Naim doesn't use iTunes, it uses UPnP, it supports 32/192, Classé would soon support it. Just like naim does a lot of things and chooses not to do a lot of things, and classe is opposite to that.

would love suggestions!

thanks

 

[CnoEvil]

You could try a Linn DS along with Classe....I suspect it would work very well.

Electrocompaniet amps are also worth a demo.

 

[hone_u2]

Classe sound has always pleased me, if you say Linn DS would be good I must try it... Though Ive heard it in the linn combination with their amazing Majik 109 bookshelves, and that was simply amazing!

I am hoping my move to Classe in awe of their convenience with Apple would actually yeild in better sound... because it sure as hell better than Naim's UPnP navigation strategy.

 

[CnoEvil]

Classe sound has always pleased me, if you say Linn DS would be good I must try it... Though Ive heard it in the linn combination with their amazing Majik 109 bookshelves, and that was simply amazing!

I am hoping my move to Classe in awe of their convenience with Apple would actually yeild in better sound... because it sure as hell better than Naim's UPnP navigation strategy.

Yes, don't take my word for it......and FWIW I think Classe Amp / LS50 will sound better than Linn Amps with the Majik 109.

 

[hone_u2]

I have heard an all Linn system through Majik 109, and I thought it was stunning...

I should give the DS a try!

Im really keen on trying the Classe because Ive been a fan of their transparency for a long time... I hope the CP is as capable or more than the Naim ive got...

I really hope it is a significant jump from my current naim setup... because im not that happy with Naim anymore, even thir high end stuff...

 

[hone_u2]

Although now seriously thinking of a devialet

 

[jerry klinger]

Also, is there a significant difference in the way the Nait XS drives from the NAP 155xs?

The biggest difference will be in the pre-amplifier section. Naim pre-amplifiers don't have onboard power supplies, so there's no big transformer interfering as you would get in an integrated amplifier.

Except there is in the NAC172XS - which is the preamp he's asking about!

Plus, his question was really about whether there is any difference between the power amps involved (XS power amp section vs 155XS).