What HI-FI setup would sound better?

[hybridauth_Facebook_587870193]

Hi all,

Im looking to get into HI-FI and have a question regarding which setup will sound best as im torn.

Naim UnitiQute 2 with KEF lS50's

Or PMC TB2S AII + Mac (already own) + Audiolab M-DAC

Any help or opnions greatly appreciated.

 

[CnoEvil]

Can you compare them for yourself....as nobody on here can, with any certainty, pick the system you will prefer.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_587870193]

I can audition the Naim and LS50's but the PMC's will be pretty difficult.

I get what your saying, in terms of picking audio equipment a lot of it is preferential. However I was inclined to hear peoples thoughts.

From what I have read the ATL design of the PMC's will be great for bass (also great all-round) but I wondered if the LS50's will be better up top. The “perfect match" of amp and speaker in the active PMC's is attractive but the compact versatility of the Naim and lS50's is also an alluring option.

I can always buy and sell the PMC's if not to my tastes just interested to hear thoughts was all.

 

[CnoEvil]

IMO. The first thing to do is demo the Naim/LS50 and see what you think...and what (if any) characteristics are missing. That will then give a clue as to whether the PMCs will be better.

The LS50s are exceedingly good, but need a little room to breathe and sturdy stands that have been filled/partly filled.

I have not heard the PMCs, which have a very good reputation and have been picked over the LS50s by some.

 

[Overdose]

I'd be suprised if you didn't think the PMCs were, by some margin, better than the Naim/KEF combo.

 

[CnoEvil]

OD may well be right, but "better" (measurable) and preferable (subjective), are not always the same thing. With the amp module, I would expect the TB2s to be better driven....the LS50s like a powerful amp to sound at their best.

If you like a clean, neutral, revealing and punchy sound, the PMCs are probably the way to go (especially when combined with the M-DAC).....but that doesn't mean you wouldn't prefer the Naim/Kef combination, which I would expect to be less clinical and make poor recordings a little easier on the ear.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_587870193]

Brilliant, thanks for the help all!

My concern was the Naim maybe being a little underpowered for the KEF's too.

The PMC's seem like the best option...clinical, neutral sound is what i'm looking for...I think.

 

[davedotco]

This is an interesting if somewhat pointless question.

Firstly it contrasts two radically different approaches to musical playback which is interesting and secondly I doubt there are many on here who have heard the PMCs.

A while ago I suggested the PMC 001 power amplifiers to someone looking for a high class power amp at reasonable cost and it is these that are used to dive the latest TB2s AII.

So you have the contrast of the refined and musical Naim/KEF pairing with the hi-power 'studio' style presentation of the PMCs, or if you prefer, the underpowered and overpriced audiophile solution compared to the controlled, transparent option of professional level components.

Oh, before anyone accuses me of bias towards the 'active' solution, think again, neither system is active.....!

 

[matt49]

I've lived with the M-DAC for 18 months now (actually now in modded form). It's a super piece of kit. Bags of functionality, optional filter settings, and a super headphone amp.

Matt

 

[rainsoothe]

IMO. The first thing to do is demo the Naim/LS50 and see what you think...and what (if any) characteristics are missing. That will then give a clue as to whether the PMCs will be better.

The LS50s are exceedingly good, but need a little room to breathe and sturdy stands that have been filled/partly filled.

I have not heard the PMCs, which have a very good reputation and have been picked over the LS50s by some.

good advice, this. For the record, plenty of people on Naim forums are happy with UQ2 (sometimes + NAP100) + Kef LS50 combo. Other speakers to audition with it should be Neat Iotas, B&W 685 S2 and even PMC.

 

[nopiano]

Try to hear the Naim with Guru Junior speakers if you can, especially if you are tight for space, as they like walls, unlike the KEFs.