[msm_1]

Hi

Naim has either a good name or a bad, depending on who you talk to ( I heard that it doesn't match well with other audio makers ).

Anybody had any experience with Naim gear, ( especially phono ) using Von Schweikerts?

Wondered what a naim Pre, Spectral DMA-200 amps, VPI Scout ( Koetsu Black ), Gen 1 vr-4's upgraded, would sound like?

Thanks

Mike

[Delacroix]

Hi Mike

I have an old Naim Nait 2 integrated that sounds so good I've never wanted to get rid of it. It's a small, solid state, maybe 30w (reportedly, Naim are quite vague on specs) and I pull it out on occasion when other amps are being moved around etc. Every time I listen to it, I marvel at the sonics from such a small box and the money one has to spend to do much better. My only complaint is the Naim use of DIN inputs and, in this model, the sharp ramp up of volume from minor adjustments of the control.

I don't know products which it supposedly does not match with -- I've tried it with Rotel, Denon and, on vinyl, Rega and VPI front ends, and it's driven Kef, Legacy and (more sensitive) VSA VR5SEs with ease. It does not have the strong bass control of more powerful amps but that's physics and not really pertinent in your case. I do know that for years people thought Naim a very synergistic match with Linn or Rega front ends, and various Brit speakers, and that might have been the converse of it 'not matching' well with others but I really like the amps I've heard...and they make a range for most needs. Build quality is solid, mine has lasted 16 years in multiple set ups and works perfectly every time. Not sure of their preamp line at this time but I'd generally have few concerns with any Naim product, the company builds the right way.

[StereoNut]

Hi Mike

My first Naim electronics were bought over twenty (20) years ago. You will see them referred to as the "Chrome bumper" models.  I started out with a NAC62 Pre-amp and NAP140 Power-amp with a SNAPS Power supply, then moved up to an "olive" NAC72 Pre-amp with a 'Chrome bumper" NAP250 Power-amp and Hi-Cap P.S.  I now have a modded NAC42, a modded parallel-rail SNAPS and a custom Phono stage with Naim boards in it, along with my still going strong NAP250 Power-amp. (BTW - I still own the NAC72 and the Hi-Cap which may be available...???  Hint, hint!)

Anyway, I have been running Naim electronics (along with a Linn LP12 and a Cambridge 840C CD player on the front end) into Von Schweikert VR-4 Gen.III speakers for about 6-7 years now.  I don't feel like the system is under-powered (my NAP250 is rated at around 80wpc, but Naim always rates their stuff very conservatively) and think the system sounds very musical.  There's plenty of detail without being harsh or overly analytical and of course, there's all of that Naim PRaT to tap your toe to!  It really depends upon what your tastes are...

I belong to an audio club of 35+ members here in NY and have had most (all?) of them at my place for a club meeting at one time or another (usually once a year) and get various comments.  Whether everyone is just being polite, I can't say - but most responses are positive.  I've had guys tell me that my system is the most "non solid state sounding, solid state sytem" they've ever heard... to the tube guys who still prefer a "warmer" sound... to the tube guys who hate all solid-state Naim or otherwise, to the one or two guys who have a pre-determined opinion that "Naim sucks - period", before they even listen!

I like what I have, but I'm also not someone who buys new equipment every other month.  The one other thing that I can add is that Naim builds stuff (at least the older stuff that I am familiar with) like a tank and it is reliable as all get-out!  Case in point... all of my Naim stuff (except for the mods themselves that were done last year) is at least 15 years old (most of it is closer to 25 years old) and it all runs and sounds great!

All I can say is get yourself somewhere to listen to it with your own ears and decide for yourself.  I think it'll be worth the effort to get an audition of Naim electronics before you decide on any other equipment for your system.

I hope this helps!

SN

[msm_1]

Thanks for the replies.

The reason I asked about Naim going with other products was becase Naim was running a slightly different electrical current that could throw off any other makes gear ( don't know much about that )

I know they use older 5 pin which shouldn't be a problem.

I may try a Nait 5 that I can try that has been modded to work as a pre.

So it will be that and my Spectral DMA200 amp, Scout and Classe ( maybe a fun day )

Thanks again

Mike

[es347]

slightly different electrical current 

[msm_1]

A friend sent me this reply earlier:

"I would seriously advice agains the naim gear, naim only works well with naim for they use specific voltage output that are mostly compatible between naim stuff".

This is why I stated in the first post that I heard they were not compatible with others makers gear, but maybe this has no truth to it

Thanks

Mike

[es347]

I'm not sure what your friend was talking about Mike.  Voltage mismatch between preamp and amp??  That's a new one on me.  A friend of mine used to own a total Naim system with Proac  monitors.  It sounded good.  One thing as I recall was that Naim uses proprietary cabling...ICs and speaker cable alike.  It seems that the connectors were not RCA or XLR so he had no choice but use their cable.  I could be 100% wrong on this...anyone who knows better please jump in.

[JackD201]

I'm not sure what your friend was talking about Mike.  Voltage mismatch between preamp and amp??  That's a new one on me.  A friend of mine used to own a total Naim system with Proac  monitors.  It sounded good.  One thing as I recall was that Naim uses proprietary cabling...ICs and speaker cable alike.  It seems that the connectors were not RCA or XLR so he had no choice but use their cable.  I could be 100% wrong on this...anyone who knows better please jump in.

I don't know if it's true about Naim Gavin but mismatches in output of a preamp and input sensitivity of amplifiers can not just sound "off" or leave you very little or too much wiggle room on your pre's volume control but can actually be damaging.

[StereoNut]

AFAIK

Naim doesn't "play nice with others" for a few reasons, but I never heard of "voltage issues" between amp & pre-amp. 

To echo a few comments already made... the interconnects are one big reason that it's difficult to mix n' match other brand components with Naim due to the use of DIN and XLR connectors.  The other thing is that Naim amps apparently have issues with using anything other than Naim's NACA5 speaker cable due to some sort of inductance matching, but I don't think that has anything to do with issues between amp to pre-amp.

My 2¢

SN

[Bemopti123]

AFAIK

The other thing is that Naim amps apparently have issues with using anything other than Naim's NACA5 speaker cable due to some sort of inductance matching, but I don't think that has anything to do with issues between amp to pre-amp.

My 2¢

SN

The demand of some old Naimies and dealers in regards to the use of the NACA5 cables with Naim amps only has been proven true until the Naim Nait 5 and amps up to that generation.  After the 5, all Naim amps, be it integrated or not were designed to be used with the NACA5 as well as any other market cable. 

Furthermore, in order to make the Naim market larger, after the passing of the original designer, the new technical directors of Naim have consciously decided to add regular RCA inputs as well as the DIN inputs in their kits. 

The issue that I find with some of the Naim, specifically the ones in the newer series is the sonic signature.  I have tried a Nait 5 and I presently own a Nait 3 and I feel that the older olive versions have a drive that has been omitted from the newer gear.  The newer Naim signature is more standard Hifi while the older signature is more midrange centered, with greater speed and perhaps "character" than the newer kits. 

People who invest money in Naim separates usually get both the preamps and the amps together or Naim.  Nevertheless, there are people who do have separates...more like the Naim pre + other amps.

I have never felt that at the commanding prices, the higher end Naim preamps were competitive against other company pres. 

In sheer sonic beauty, no Naim integrated can compete against the LFD Zero MKIII that I own. 

[Bemopti123]

This is a thread at Pinkfishmedia that discusses and describe the experience you are asking about...


http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=82938