[WilliamL]

Out of all the choices I can make: I am thinking of going with an all Naim system with Von Scweikerts speakers for my apartment/personal use.  


I had a chance to hear our Naim setup when I was in Nashville. Of course we are dealers [disclaimer] for a lot of different lines, thus I have options, but there was just something about the Naim sound that drew me into the music.

I don't hear too much about Naim from Audiocircle or AudioAsylum. Anybody (besides Nathan L. and Brandon/Hantra) have opinions on the new Naim gear? I need to make a decision soon. Any supplemental advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill Laurent

[DVV]

Out of all the choices I can make: I am thinking of going with an all Naim system with Von Scweikerts speakers for my apartment/personal use.  


I had a chance to hear our Naim setup when I was in Nashville. Of course we are dealers [disclaimer] for a lot of different lines, thus I have options, but there was just something about the Naim sound that drew me into the music.

I don't hear too much about Naim from Audiocircle or AudioAsylum. Anybody (besides Nathan L. and Brandon/Hantra ...

Bill, I have never actually owned a Naim setup, but I did have an opportunity to live with some of their gear for a few months. I forgot the model designation, it was an integrated amp of theirs rated at 30WPC.

The first thing that strikes you, and very soon, is that this 30W kid somehow manages two VERY difficult things: 1) it manages to sound as if it has more like 100W per side, and 2) you have that most elusive feeling in power amps (Krell, Levinson, et al. included) that it has limitless power on tap, no matter how hard you push it, it can do it. Obviously, this is an impression only, any amp can be saturated and clipped, but it's a lovely feeling to live with. I attribute this to their fully regulated power supplies, power amp section included.

The sound was very balanced, very even handed, but far from dead - lots of emotional factor there. About the only "failings" I can name are:

1. that model had long dead DIN input and output sockets, which was a problem when interconnecting, and

2. While good, the bass was the only thing that failed to excite. It was there, it was clean, but also rather lean in my view. However, when connected to my power line filter, the bass clicked into focus; very strange, if you ask me, in view of their regulated power supplies, but that was that. My guess is that their mains filtering is good on the low side (turn up the wick and zero hum comes through), but not so good higher up in the spectrum.

Would I buy it? I guess like everybody else I'd say that depended on the price as well as on the unit itself, but on purely sonic grounds, they are well worth having. Rest assured they will not only not shame you, but will demonstrate the virtues of audio in general - the late Julian Vereker knew what it was all about, believe me.

I'd say go for it. If I was a dealer, I know I would want to have them.

Cheers,
DVV

[JohnR]

Bill, don't know what you're looking for here. You know, stock answer, if it sounds good to you... I didn't much like the all-Naim system I heard (at a dealer in Seattle), as I recall it had an odd metallic tang to it. But who knows, people who like it apparently love it. However, Naim still have stuff like this in their warranty, which will probably put off a lot of audiophiles:

"Normal use of Naim Audio equipment expressly requires that cable and interconnects are those supplied or recommended by Naim Audio North America, Inc. The use of cables and interconnects other than those supplied or recommended by Naim Audio North America constitutes abuse under the terms of the limited warranty."

http://www.naimusa.com/warranty.html

[Hantra]

B:

Have you listened to the gear with Naim speakers yet?  Just curious. . .

[8thnerve]

"Normal use of Naim Audio equipment expressly requires that cable and interconnects are those supplied or recommended by Naim  ...

Strangely enough John, this hasn't been much of a problem for me.  Naim uses DIN connection for interconnects.  There are many reasons for this, but it is very unlikely that you will have the opportunity to change the cables.  For the speaker cable, I have not heard ANY speaker cable at ANY price that sounds better than the Niam cable on Naim equipment.  Naim has a very bizzare synergy attribute to it.  The Naim cable doesn't sound very good at all on other systems, but sounds incredible on their amps.  I hear it has something to do with a resistance built into the cable.  The same goes with power cords and power conditioning.  Everthing I have tried other than their stock cables and power strip (that's right, a metal power strip) makes it sound worse.

You may think that a major limitation for the Naim gear as I did.  However, over time, I have realized that it simply makes you stop thinking about whether a better cable would improve your system.  You instead rely on the engineers at Naim to make the best sound possible at the price, and just enjoy the system you have.  This is great for the set it and forget it crowd, not so good for the constantly tweaking crowd...  I am certainly a tweaker, but when it's late and I want to listen to a new CD, guess what system I sit down in front of to listen to music?

I don't say any of these things in an attempt to sell Naim gear, they are very strict on territory anyway.  But there is something to be said for a "systems approach" which we often forget in hi-fi.  It's something to give a little bit of research to when choosing new components that I think most people overlook.

[JoshK]

I had a demo of an all NAIM system with three pairs of speakers (4 hours long).  I really liked the system, we actually tried a gammut of NAIM gear within this demo.  I remember the Dynaudio contour series being particularly good on NAIM gear and also the black background of the NAIM gear was wonderful.  I think my main caveat was that it never felt effortless to me.

[Audi-O]

Wow, this gets kinda long, sorry in advance.

I own an all Naim system now after many, I'd say 17, years of trial with various components from tube to SS as well as various cables and speakers. I now own what would be called entry level Naim 5 series, Nait5/CD5/FC2. With the 5 series Naim has, in my opinion, taken all of the best virtures of their earlier amps speed, openess, dynamics and PRaT and made them very refined and highly listenable components for long term sessions without fatigue.

For my listening, the Naim system simply expresses the music like no other system I have owned or heard for that matter. I can hear far into recording "space" but terrible recordings are also listenable and many times very enjoyable. This is extremely important as I have 300+ cds of various style and recording quality.

The Flap Cap 2 and CD5 complement the Nait 5 to a T. The synergy is not only amazing, it is just plain exactly right in all areas important to me. With other gear I got tired of analizing every sound in a song rather than listening to the song and enjoying it. I kept trying something, noticed something new, better or worse, then changed again. I grew real tired of it.

Now there is no cable changing, I use NACA5, Naim DIN cables from the CD5 and two Naim SNAICs for the Flat Cap. No ac noise filtering, no power cord upgrades or ac power conditioners. Nothing is missed and so much more has been gained in my enjoyment of my music collection.

Speakers, as with any system, are important to match well with Naim. Check the Naim forum and you will get a lot of great advice. A lot of speakers sound good on Naim but some sound extraordinary. The Nait 5 is rated at 30w, it gets about as loud as I could ever stand in my room but it would be perceived as a bit lean on some speakers, possibly also because everything else is so clear. (I will take a leaner tunefulness over slam any day) I have tried several pairs of speakers on this system. Linn Katans, Proac 1SCs, Epos M12, JM Lab Daline 3.1s. All sounded very good, just not magical. I knew the further potential was there, I was just getting it in smaller scale. Finally seeking and taking advice on other forums, mainly the Naim forum I found my next trial. I decided to try Neat Mystique speakers after reading they were one of the most synergistic matches for my gear. I bought them unheard because I trusted the people who also choose Naim gear, (yes they/we are kinda weird but for a reason - passion for MUSIC). The Neats are wonderful and more musically satisfying than any speaker I have owned. Matched with Naim gear I am finally content to say the least. Try to listen to a set of Neats whatever you do. They make the most of what Naim does great. Also, whatever you get, buy something that has good bass. If you rely on a sub for bass you will miss out on the Naims PRaT as no sub will fully integrate with it at a high level. I do use a REL Strata III at very low x-over settings and level, for the most part it integrates well but the Neats sound geat on their own. (My room is big, Neats are pretty small)

There. How is that for an enthusiastic Naim user?

Ron

[mcrespo71]

I have listened to Naim gear at shows and ProMusica in Chicago.  It has never been less than completely musical and involving.  Most times the gear was paired with Dynaudio speakers (Special 25 and Confidence), though once I heard an all Naim system and I was not quite as impressed with the speakers, though the room sucked.  Naim is one of the few companies that I'd consider buying an entire system from- sans their speakers, of course.

Michael

Green Day- Greatest Hits CD