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I’d like the same entertaining sound as the Elex but maybe a bit more vocal and more control to the bass as I have the speakers on brackets v close to the wall out of necessity. |
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I apologise as I don't know anything about the NAIM XS2, but when has that ever stopped forum members from opining
The first thing that struck me about your post is your symptoms speak to vocal (maybe low mid) and bass issues.
From what I've read about the Neats they are compact rear-ported stand mounters which excel in the mid and treble...
Bunging the ports is undoubtedly helping with bass resonance off the wall, but maybe at the expense of volume and responsiveness of the bass...
My first action would be to experiment by taking the Neats off the wall bracket into the room in an equilateral triangle with your listening position and opening up the ports.
Does that fix your sound?
If it does, you have 4 options:
1) reposition and unbung your Neats (which you say is tricky in your room)
2) Buy an Equaliser (whether room correction or old school) and insert it in your signal path to boost the bass and lower mid
3) Buy new speakers that are front ported, can be placed close to wall and have the tone curve you like
4) Buy an amp that colours the tone to boost and maybe better control the bass...
Your current path of option 4 is probably the last thing I would try...
I'm not convinced your amp is the problem...
I hate the way rooms interfere with our listening!
Maybe building regulations should stipulate at least 1 anechoic chamber in all new builds?
In any case, best of luck with it.