Question Suggestions for foundational parts of a longer term vinyl setup

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

You are in for a treat with the N50
I do suspect however the LS50 will be a bit tricky to drive. Let me know…
I’m looking at AlChris TX1s as replacement for my Dali.

 

[RTHerringbone]

You are in for a treat with the N50
I do suspect however the LS50 will be a bit tricky to drive. Let me know…
I’m looking at AlChris TX1s as replacement for my Dali.

Yeah, I'll see what pans out and figure out some options. They are actually bundled by some retailers so I'd like to think that means they must pair to an extent, but I do think that regardless of what tomorrow brings, I'll look for a more natural match.

Historically Neat, ProAc and I think PMC have been good partners for Naim kit and Audio T stock all of those (as well as the NAIT 50), so all are a short jaunt away for an audition. Luckily the Nait is nice and compact so I can take it with me if needed.

The Alchris stuff is interesting but I can't see how he makes that business viable? One guy seemingly doing it all himself and then still selling things at an affordable price? As a one-man-band, I'd have some concerns about the longevity of post-sales service.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I'd not worry; he has been crafting speakers for 50 years or so.

 

[RTHerringbone]

My local Audio T have proposed that I might like to listen to an ex-demo pair of PMC twenty5 21i speakers with "a few very minor marks on the sides but barely noticeable". I do get a bit twitchy about that sort of thing, but they're offering over £1,000 off the RRP. They're going to send me photos of the worst damage so I can give it some thought.

They do have the Neat Petite Classics (only in Black or White, not the sexier (more pricey) wood finishes) so I'll see if they'd play ball with a sensible trade-in offer. I'm already testing the water on Gumtree to see what interest there is, in case the trade-in price stinks. This stuff is always fun

 

[nopiano]

My local Audio T have proposed that I might like to listen to an ex-demo pair of PMC twenty5 21i speakers with "a few very minor marks on the sides but barely noticeable". I do get a bit twitchy about that sort of thing, but they're offering over £1,000 off the RRP. They're going to send me photos of the worst damage so I can give it some thought.

They do have the Neat Petite Classics (only in Black or White, not the sexier (more pricey) wood finishes) so I'll see if they'd play ball with a sensible trade-in offer. I'm already testing the water on Gumtree to see what interest there is, in case the trade-in price stinks. This stuff is always fun

The twenty5 series is discontinued and they’ll be trying to get shot of them. Imo they’re not any easier load than your KEFs but they do seem to be popular with Naim, as do Neats. They’ll sound a bit ‘boom and tizz’ after the neutral KEFs.

PT service is very good ime. I bought a fancy coffee machine from them, and had a query which I emailed at about 8pm, thinking I might hear back the following day. But, no, by 10pm I had a response, which was way beyond my expectations.

Full price margins are good on Hifi, but they’ve nevertheless been exceptionally generous with your case. I wonder if it’s a known issue?

I’m sure you’ll enjoy the new amp. 🙂

 

[RTHerringbone]

The twenty5 series is discontinued and they’ll be trying to get shot of them. Imo they’re not any easier load than your KEFs but they do seem to be popular with Naim, as do Neats. They’ll sound a bit ‘boom and tizz’ after the neutral KEFs.

Ah - handy info and potentially some price leverage too if I don't like the look of the damage, but do like the sound of them. I have just received some photos (below) which do appear to show that the knocks really are only minor - certainly nothing that would affect performance. First photo is a general shot, the second has an indent on the side and a nick near the front and the third shows a bit of a scratch near the bottom.

They do seem rather keen to offload them - they guy has offered to drive them here for a home loan and to collect my KEFs if I like the PMCs and the trade-in price is OK.

I must confess to having zero comprehension of how at a spec matching level you can figure out what amps can drive what speakers. On the face of it, the sensitivity and recommended amp power of the Petite Classics and those PMCs appear very similar 🤷‍♂️

 

[nopiano]

If you don’t mind black satin finish, then the newer but less expensive Prodigy series sounded very nice when I heard them. RRP around £1250 a pair, plus stands, for the Prophecy 1.

https://pmc-speakers.com/home-audio/prodigy/prodigy1/

Maybe they’d demo you those too. Not so luxurious looking but good ingredients!

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Petites on the end of the N50 a nice match..
The PMCs 21i no better than TX1s in my opinion and the TX1s only £1250 new.
The TX1s will be more energetic than the Petites which may or may not be to one’s taste !
The N50 specs don’t really tell the full story though….
It’s an output current monster. I’m gonna give my TX9s a test with it this weekend. They’re very efficient and easy to drive….. Could prove expensive hahaha…

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

If you don’t mind black satin finish, then the newer but less expensive Prodigy series sounded very nice when I heard them. RRP around £1250 a pair, plus stands, for the Prophecy 1.

https://pmc-speakers.com/home-audio/prodigy/prodigy1/

Maybe they’d demo you those too. Not so luxurious looking but good ingredients!

Prodigy or Prophecy…….? I do wonder other than finish how the Prophecy differs in real world listening to the Prodigy….
My Prodigy 5 sounded as good as if not better than the 23i’s….. And better than some new Kudos CARDEA 20As back to back ! The 20A blew my ears off with sibilance!

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Hifi….So subjective!

 

[RTHerringbone]

If you don’t mind black satin finish, then the newer but less expensive Prodigy series sounded very nice when I heard them. RRP around £1250 a pair, plus stands, for the Prophecy 1.

https://pmc-speakers.com/home-audio/prodigy/prodigy1/

Maybe they’d demo you those too. Not so luxurious looking but good ingredients!

I actually had a look at those when I was in the store to pick up the Planar 3 RS and to be honest I was totally put off by the look of them. Not just the finish but the overall aesthetic is just functional with zero pizzaz. I know the sound in the most important factor, but I want a bit of visual panache as well!

As you say, I could demo these too as they definitely had them in store.

 

[nopiano]

Prodigy or Prophecy…….? I do wonder other than finish how the Prophecy differs in real world listening to the Prodigy….
My Prodigy 5 sounded as good as if not better than the 23i’s….. And better than some new Kudos CARDEA 20As back to back ! The 20A blew my ears off with sibilance!

The cheaper Prodigy. I prefer them too, but didn’t want to seem critical.

The Prophecy range succeeds the awkwardly named twenty5 range, and sounded nice at the Bristol Show demo I attended. They simplified the cabinet, and reduced the variety of finishes. The prices are similar to the twenty5 models too. I didn’t like the mid-range design, which looks a bit like a cat’s arse, but they are a nice contemporary design. I wish their generous warranty covered subsequent owners, however, as it’d be a great benefit.

 

[nopiano]

I actually had a look at those when I was in the store to pick up the Planar 3 RS and to be honest I was totally put off by the look of them. Not just the finish but the overall aesthetic is just functional with zero pizzaz. I know the sound in the most important factor, but I want a bit of visual panache as well!

As you say, I could demo these too as they definitely had them in store.

Completely understand. They looked dull in pictures but I liked them very much in the ‘flesh’. As you say, though, it’s all subjective! 🙂

 

[RTHerringbone]

Just arrived. It's one spunky little chap. It just feels punchy, a bit naughty and very groovy.

Vinyl only until the DIN cable arrives later and I don't know what issues to expect or how they'd resolve on this setup, but it's really quite special. A lot of fun.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I'm a bit confused by the speaker port labeling @The_Lecht_Rocks ? I've wired for now incorrectly according to the amp as the port labeling seems backwards on the amp?

I've got my left speaker as you look at the system wired to "Right" on the amp. Am I mad? Otherwise the cables cross over and that seems weird?

 

[RTHerringbone]

It's actually quite staggering. It's like a fun button has been pressed and I swear I'm picking out more details but everything sounds so much more natural than with the Arcam. Not sure what the best words are but it definitely has some proper swing to it.

Would appreciate some insight into what I should be listening out for as in theory this little guy shouldn't work well with these speakers but everything sounds great from quiet volumes through to "slightly-worried-about-the-neighbours" levels. It seems.....fine? No obvious distortion or struggling anywhere frequency-wise.

I feel less concerned about keeping these KEFs in the short-term, but if this little box can sound even better then I'm stunned as it's looking like another impulsive buy that I've got away with in spades.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

It’s a helluva amp.
Many owners are using £10k plus front ends.
Speaker choice difficult as it depends on space and preferences

 

[Al ears]

I'm a bit confused by the speaker port labeling @The_Lecht_Rocks ? I've wired for now incorrectly according to the amp as the port labeling seems backwards on the amp?

I've got my left speaker as you look at the system wired to "Right" on the amp. Am I mad? Otherwise the cables cross over and that seems weird?

It will not matter until you listen to an album with two guitarists.
When Al Di Meola comes out if the right speaker and you know he was sitting on the left... 🙂
It's an issue with all Naim amps it would appear....

 

[RTHerringbone]

It's an issue with all Naim amps it would appear....

It does seem like a peculiar design decision or oversight. Apparently the DIN cable arrives imminently so I'll find a test track to stream with distinct left / right channel tones.

EDIT: I've actually switched them so they DO cross over, as it seems like it's a legacy of "how things used to be" that they've intentionally kept as some sort of weird USP.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Node Icon into N50…..
What a great idea and combo !

 

[Al ears]

It does seem like a peculiar design decision or oversight. Apparently the DIN cable arrives imminently so I'll find a test track to stream with distinct left / right channel tones.

I feel pretty sure it will be noticeable. Do you not have a Test LP? Very useful!