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System advice

I’m still a newbie to audio world, but a couple years ago I got Monitor Audio Platinum PL II speakers with XLO Signature cables (good old stuff), Arcam Alpha 9 amp & preamp and Naim CD5 XS with FlatCap XS. Sound was great for me - juicy, involving, deep. But then I was talked into having the whole stack from Naim. I replaced Arcam amp/preamp with Naim NAC XS 152 & Naim NAP 155 XS. I was told it will be an upgrade from Arcam and that having full stack from Naim will provide great synergy.

The problem is.. I almost stopped listening to the music right after this change. There’s something unpleasant in the sound. There’s a lot of details, good resolution but... I don’t feel amused anymore.

Recently I understood that there is no synergy between speakers/cables and amp/preamp. It’s like some sweetness, warm is missing in this sound..

But now I have no idea in what direction I should go. Any advice for a noobie?

 

gabriel123
soix
9,809 posts
 

There doesn’t seem to be as big of a difference between the original and Pulsar 2 as with the Perspectives, and some even seem to prefer the original so I’d have no problem going with the original Pulsars and save the $$$.  Once you hear them you may feel no need for the upgrade, and I probably wouldn’t even bother doing it as the originals are so good.  The Perspectives are a different matter as the improvements in the Graphine version are more significant.  You can probably order Pulsar grills from JA and certainly worth checking into, but I’d negotiate with that seller for a lower price to recoup at least some of that cost if possible.  Sitting 4 meters from them isn’t a problem, but not knowing your room size it’s hard to say if they’re enough for your room, but if the Platinums were ok then the Pulsars should be fine too as they put out considerable bass for their size as you’ve probably seen from reviews.  The ProAc K1 is worth looking into if Pulsars are hard to find as it likely offers similar sound characteristics — just another potential option.  Hope this helps. 

gabriel123 OP
19 posts
 

Thanks, you helped a lot. I've sent a message to JP asking about price and possibility of buying these grills, but I guess I won't get any reply soon enough :)

gabriel123 OP
19 posts
 

Update :)

 

JP Pulsars will be delivered in a week. I’ve got them on a reduced price because of no grilles. The grilles I will order directly from JP. I talked to Jeff, great guy.

It's really tempting me now to complete my audio equipment: order Lampi Big7 with preamp and connect it to my Naim or Arcam power amp... Then in some future splurge on a better amp. How bad idea is it?

kennyc
1,652 posts
 

Lampi+Pulsars seem like a great musical combo, opposite of cold/sterile

gabriel123 OP
19 posts
 

Thanks, great to hear that. 

In the back of my mind I know that I probably should start with buying a power amp and then match a right dac / preamp to it. But buying a Lampi with a preamp right now would give me a chance to enjoy the music using my new JP speakers, tubed DAC/preamp and.. old Arcam's amplifier which I could change in the future for something that match the rest of the my equipment.

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