Just joined today and am no expert so apologies if this is a long and stupid question.
For the last 10 years or so, I've been listening to a Cambridge Audio system: A1/CD5/T500. Firstly, through Wharfdale 7 diamond 1 standmounts and, for the last 6 years in a bigger room, through Jamo E660 floorstanders. Although an old and budget system, I've really enjoyed it and still remember the massive jump in sound quality from the old 90s Kenwood midi system I had beforehand.
I'm looking to upgrade (but only if I find something that sounds significantly better to my ears). From reading magazine articles, I've drawn up a list of:
1. Primare I22/CD22/T23;
2. Naim 5i/CD5i, Arcam FMJ T32;
3. Astin Trew AT3500+ CD/ AT 2000+ amp, Arcam T32
4. Exposure 2010S2 Amp & CD with Arcam T32
5. Creek Destiny 2 Amp and CD with Arcam T32
6. Sugden Mystro CD and Amp with the T32.
I'd upgrade to the next level in the range of any of these brands and add pieces one by one as I can afford it if the sound makes it worthwhile. I'm also looking to add speakers (need to be close to the wall) and am keen to hear Spendor, Neat, Focal, Dali and Tannoy.
At a later stage, I'll also want to add a phono stage/record player. And , no doubt, I'll eventually join the computer age with a streaming product after that.
I listen to pop, soul, ska and increasingly jazz in a room which is about 6 x 4 metres and 2.8 metres high - wooden floors, french windows and very few soft furnshings. The sound I want is probably a warm one. I also listen at low volume most of the time so want something that doesn't need to be turned loud to get good quality sound. One of my friends had a great system in the late 70s (Sansui SR636 turntable, TA500 Integrated Amp/Tuner, Sansui floorstanders with pitch control) and that sound is still probably (to my ears) the best I've heard.
Today I went to demo Naim but the whole experience was more like a job interview. Firstly I was told to forget the 5i series and integrated amps. I was auditioned CD5XS, NAC152, NAP155 through ProAc D40s instead. Then I was told that the CDs I'd brought were incompatible with high-end audio (Beatles, Stan Getz, Style Council, JTQ, Stranglers, Adelle, Oasis - could you get more mainstream?) and heard an "audiophile" disc. The detail was fantastic but it was so unmusical - I would have got more melody out of a transistor radio - don't know if it was the music, the system or my ears (as I was pretty much told!) just don't appreciate what higher end audio does.
Any advice on my shortlist of systems, others I should consider, the order to replace things and a more successful way of auditioning?
Many thanks.
For the last 10 years or so, I've been listening to a Cambridge Audio system: A1/CD5/T500. Firstly, through Wharfdale 7 diamond 1 standmounts and, for the last 6 years in a bigger room, through Jamo E660 floorstanders. Although an old and budget system, I've really enjoyed it and still remember the massive jump in sound quality from the old 90s Kenwood midi system I had beforehand.
I'm looking to upgrade (but only if I find something that sounds significantly better to my ears). From reading magazine articles, I've drawn up a list of:
1. Primare I22/CD22/T23;
2. Naim 5i/CD5i, Arcam FMJ T32;
3. Astin Trew AT3500+ CD/ AT 2000+ amp, Arcam T32
4. Exposure 2010S2 Amp & CD with Arcam T32
5. Creek Destiny 2 Amp and CD with Arcam T32
6. Sugden Mystro CD and Amp with the T32.
I'd upgrade to the next level in the range of any of these brands and add pieces one by one as I can afford it if the sound makes it worthwhile. I'm also looking to add speakers (need to be close to the wall) and am keen to hear Spendor, Neat, Focal, Dali and Tannoy.
At a later stage, I'll also want to add a phono stage/record player. And , no doubt, I'll eventually join the computer age with a streaming product after that.
I listen to pop, soul, ska and increasingly jazz in a room which is about 6 x 4 metres and 2.8 metres high - wooden floors, french windows and very few soft furnshings. The sound I want is probably a warm one. I also listen at low volume most of the time so want something that doesn't need to be turned loud to get good quality sound. One of my friends had a great system in the late 70s (Sansui SR636 turntable, TA500 Integrated Amp/Tuner, Sansui floorstanders with pitch control) and that sound is still probably (to my ears) the best I've heard.
Today I went to demo Naim but the whole experience was more like a job interview. Firstly I was told to forget the 5i series and integrated amps. I was auditioned CD5XS, NAC152, NAP155 through ProAc D40s instead. Then I was told that the CDs I'd brought were incompatible with high-end audio (Beatles, Stan Getz, Style Council, JTQ, Stranglers, Adelle, Oasis - could you get more mainstream?) and heard an "audiophile" disc. The detail was fantastic but it was so unmusical - I would have got more melody out of a transistor radio - don't know if it was the music, the system or my ears (as I was pretty much told!) just don't appreciate what higher end audio does.
Any advice on my shortlist of systems, others I should consider, the order to replace things and a more successful way of auditioning?
Many thanks.