[StereoNut]

Are there any Naim owners out there that have been "brave" enough to try a Non-Naim amp with their Naim Pre-amp?  I would like to audition other (Non-Naim) amps with my system, but didn't know if my Naim Pre-amp would work with a Non-Naim amp.  If this "mix and match" set-up can be done, I will need a 4pin DIN to RCA interconnect to do so.  Any suggestions?

Thanx!
StereoNut

[lonewolfny42]

You might PM Hogg.....or ...mcrespo71.....both are NY Rave members that own NAIM equipment....

[Stu Pitt]

Keeping synergy issues aside for a second, you'd need a power supply for the pre-amp.  Naim pre-amps don't have a power supply built into them.  They're powered one of two ways - by a Naim power amp, or a separate power supply like a Flatcap, Supercap, and so on.  If you're getting a Naim pre-amp, you have to factor in the cost of a power supply to the overall price.

I haven't heard a Naim pre-amp with a non-Naim power amp before to give an opinion.  Most Naimees go with a complete Naim system from the source to the speakers, including all wiring.

[lonewolfny42]

Another idea for you ....the Naim Forum......

[StereoNut]

Thanks, guys! 

FYI - I have a Naim system right now.  (NAC 72 pre-amp, Hi-Cap power supply and NAP 250 amp with all of the necessary interconnects etc.  I was entertaining the thought of trying a non-Naim amp in my system, thus the original inquiry.  Yes, I know that there's synergy issues - but you don't know until you try and of course, listen! 

As far as the Naim forum, I would probably be shot at dawn by the Naim-ie purists for asking such a question!  Gulp!   I'll try to contact the 2 AC members mentioned and see where that gets me.

[mcrespo71]

Thanks, guys! 

FYI - I have a Naim system right now.  (NAC 72 pre-amp, Hi-Cap power supply and NAP 250 amp with all of the necessary interconnects etc.  I was entertaining the thought of trying a non-Naim amp in my system, thus the original inquiry.  Yes, I know that there's synergy issues - but you don't know until you try and of course, listen! 

As far as the Naim forum, I would probably be shot at dawn by the Naim-ie purists for asking such a question!  Gulp!   I'll try to contact the 2 AC members mentioned and see where that gets me.

Hi,

It's certainly been done before and some of the big players on the Naim forum are using non-naim amps with Naim preamps.  I've never personally done it because I own an integrated, but I think it would just need the Chord DIN-RCA interconnect to try it out.  I'd still check the Naim forum out, though.  You know it's the best place for Naim knowledge or, if you don't want to deal with the Naim purists, go to the pink fish website.

Michael

[Emil]

Hi Stereonut

I would think it all depends on whether you have the older olive series or the newer stuff. Since you have a 72 I would guess it would not be a happy combo The newer series seems to be designed to play well with others given the introduction of RCAs as well as DIN connectors.

Where on LI are you?

Hey Mike and Chris!

[Hogg]

I've tried a Naim 200 amp with different preamps both tube and solid state.  I didn't like the sound at all.  I went back to the Naim 202.  I also tried using a Naim 202 preamp with Hicap2 to drive powered ATC 20-2's.  That sound was harsh and difficult to listen to for long periods. 

There's something to the Naim synergy; it's not BS.  If you like the Naim sound then just move up the line for better sound. 

                                                                                                  Jim

[StereoNut]

Thanks for the input.  I'm running an Olive NAC 72, with a chrome Hi-cap & chrome NAP 250.  I don't know what the next step up Naim-wise would be, but I'm kinda leaning towards getting away from the whole DIN thing and move on to better (?) things.  I just don't know if I could do it in one fell swoop $$$, so I thought maybe swapping in other amps would be a start.  The rest of my current system is LP12/Rega RB300(?)/Adikt, Von Schweikert VR4 Gen.III speakers, QED speaker cables, Cambridge 840C CD player, Creek tuner.  I'm working with a tight budget and usually buy used, if the price vs. risk is worth it.

P.S. - I'm in Mineola.
SN

[mcrespo71]

move on to better (?) things. 

I would say "different" things.

[StereoNut]

Better vs. different...

I couldn't say the results would be better or just different until I tried other amps out, but it doesn't mean I shouldn't try.

As far as why goes... why not!? I am not the kind of person that changes his system around every few months, swapping things in and out constantly. To be honest, I usually buy my kit and hold on to it for many years. That being said, it doesn't mean I never give something new any thought at all. There's not many "audiophiles" (or whatever you'd like to call yourselves) out there that haven't gone through a bout of "upgrade-itis" with their system at some point in time.  I was hoping that someone on the forum had tried this and actually liked the results. Working from a "short list" of non-Naim amps that people have had some success with in their systems would be a lot easier than starting from a list of every available amp on the planet! 

SN