Brad's System

[Brad Stubbings]

My Naim system building journey started with a physical one.   Having decided in 2004 to build a classic active Isobarik system, I contacted James for the amps.  He sourced what I needed and the journey began.

My trip took me from home to Dublin Port, then Holyhead to St Albans to pick up a 52, snaxo 3-6, hicap and 3 250s.  The journey home was not a simple direct route back to Holyhead. From St Albans I drove to York to pick up a pair of Isobarik before heading for the ferry port and home. All in all between leaving home and getting back early on the Sunday morning, I had driven close on 1000 miles in 38 hours.

Over the next few years, I refined the direction of my journey.  Luckily early on I found that I preferred the presentation of the 300 over the 500; this choice has proven gentle(r) on my pocket.The system has now evolved to be CD only, consisting of a 555, 552, snaxo 362/supercap2/300s and DBLs.  The usual Fraim and NACA5 also feature.

The latest change to my system has been the replacement of a pair of 555PSs with a single 555DR.  It is early days, but already the DR unit is proving have brought something special to the presentation.  At this point suffice it to say that this single unit is outperforming that dual vanilla 555PSs hands down.

All is not lost for vinyl as I have put together a second system with an LP12, 72/Hicap, 135s and Mission 753Fs. The intention with this system is to keep things simple and permit me to spin the vinyl. Will an LP12 ever find its way back into the main system? Who knows.  I think it is nice to have options, but I have the feeling that for me, two systems is the solution.

Is the journey over? Broadly speaking, yes.  The core system is now fully established and other than servicing the various boxes as they become due and maybe DR upgrades on the Supercap and 552PS I foresee no further changes.  As for physical journeys, I never did claim the pub lunch from James, so perhaps there remains a trip to St Albans to make at some time!

[Tom Tom Audio]

Thank you Brad, there's a pint in the Six Bells with your name on it!

Cheers
James