Gromit's music centre...

[brian2957]

It is the new green stuff Grant . I've been using it for quite a while now . After some thought ( and testing similarly priced cables ) I even hard-wired it into the external crossovers on my Rega EL8s .

[struth]

Ah - if we're talking speakers I too have had a pair of 21L's. Really liked them but they needed a big amp to wake them up (I had an Exposure IVDR at the time).

You really cannot go wrong with the Talk 3, at £4/m it's a proper bargain.

Yes, when I was using the A1000 they ran with ease, but the Arcam needs a little help, although an excellent amp as well.

[struth]

It is the new green stuff Grant . I've been using it for quite a while now . After some thought ( and testing similarly priced cables ) I even hard-wired it into the external crossovers on my Rega EL8s .

ah, then I was right.....think I'll get some when funds allow.....also got my eye on some nice bi wire terminal links to help there.... better sell that watch I have on sale on the bay.

[DSJR]

The Talk 3 and Cable Talk 3/3.1 use similar conductors I think, but the dielectric of the new '3' is similar to the old CT4.1 I believe, hence the lack of hash compared to some others.

[Gromit]

Just couldn't hold off any longer - had to take our youngest to the Doc this morning so plugged the XV in whilst we were out to let it warm through. Came back and sat down for a listen 45 mins ago...



The result has really surprised me to be honest - one thing for sure is that they are both great amplifiers. They do have a different presentation - that much is unsurprising - but for the first time since I got my first ever Exposure amp (a X in 1993) I've found a Naim which can compete on equal terms with the boys from Portslade.

The Naim suits the Royds better - it's more rolled-off top end (especially through the K boards) tames their somewhat over-enthusiastic tweeter. The Sapphires' top end is always clean, there's no sibilance at all for example, there's just quite a lot of it.

The Naim is faster, leaner, slightly more agile and drives with what you could describe as firmer musical suspension. It can get a bit harsh - that much is beyond doubt - where the Exposure goes louder with more grace. The XV is slightly more fleshed-out, with a more considered approach to music-making, less front-row perhaps but conversely hits harder in the bass. It also sounds more powerful. The Naim, fed by the PS-6750 and Benz ACE, is a lot more colourful than I remember my 72/Hi/180 sounding with the NAS/Space/Dorian, and seems to be a nice match.

Listening to Perlemuter/Ravel on Nimbus: This is a record I have a hugely sentimental attachment to - my old piano teacher studied under Perlemuter so am extremely fortunate to be in a position to have what one may call 'inside knowledge' of his delightful playing. She would often refer to 'this is how the old man would've played this etc etc'. The Naim does really well here - the secondary strikes in "le Gibet' ring with a beautiful sustain on both amps, and don't come across as dried-out, retaining their harmonics until that sustain is released. A piece of music which is so hypnotic, it draws the listener in to the point one can swim in the atmosphere it creates. The distant-mic'd Nimbus recording is awash with ambient detail too - rather 2-dimensional perhaps (it is a Naim after all!) but that matters little to me. It's the dark atmosphere (look up the music's description if you like) of the piece which needs to be conveyed and the Naim gets right to the heart of that.

[MartinT]

Listening to Perlemuter/Ravel on Nimbus: This is a record I have a hugely sentimental attachment to - my old piano teacher studied under Perlemuter so am extremely fortunate to be in a position to have what one may call 'inside knowledge' of his delightful playing.

As I recall, Richard, that was among the very first Nimbus issues on CD. As you say, ambience a-plenty.

[Gromit]

As I recall, Richard, that was among the very first Nimbus issues on CD. As you say, ambience a-plenty.

You could well be right, Martin - Nimbus released a 3-lp set which I've got, but record one (which has Gaspard on) is my favourite. Not the most technically polished performance ever put to master tape perhaps, but the music is a joy. VP also did a lovely 45rpm lp of Chopin Preludes on Nimbus which sounds fabulous. The extra revs really help the dynamic range.

[Gromit]

They're breeding.

Literally just got home and my CB HiCap arrived...



Not listened to what it brings yet, only just connected it up. Fortunately it survived its courier journey despite the poor packaging and appears to be in very nice condition. Service history is unknown (will phone Naim tomorrow or after the w/e) but it works fine.

[brian2957]

Could we be heading towards ' Making it louder bits : What day is it ? ' Richard

[istari_knight]

The absence of a chrome bumper DAC from the market is most lamentable