Naim Audio

[Rasclart]

Anyone here running a setup of Naim Audio? I am looking to go for one of the following setups wondered if anyone has any and what they are pairing it up to speaker wise, also please only comments if you have actually spent some time listening to this sort of setup and or own one rather than what your mate says down the pub.

Naim Nait 5i
Naim CD5i

or

Naim NAP 180
Main NAC 102
Naim CD3.5

So views people

 

[riz]

i have seperates u have to listen to them to judge but beware of cabliing people will put diff cables to emphasise and hide problems of the setup

 

[Rasclart]

I was thinking of using the Naim NACA 5 cable and I believe from reading you need to run 3.5M min for each speaker

What ones do you have Riz? Also what speakers are you mating them up to. I had a listen to the setup above with a CDX and it was amazing BUT that was through some B&W high ends which are out my budget for speakers

 

[riz]

i just have arcam,i dont have time to listen to it anymore i just use it now and again,im not too sure about 3.5m what is that about?how much did u want to spend in total~?

 

[riz]

meridian are good in ur bracket aswell,B&W speakers are hardish to drive, but are very lively,depends what music ur gna lsiten to, they can do jungle/hardcore well and acoustic stuff well but some ppl say a bit nto defined

 

[riz]

sorry meridian out of ur bracket lol im talking thousands lol

 

[darren_rallye]

I hear Naim speakers aren't the hottest.

Naim users often use Dynaudio, PMC, and some old Rega or Spendors monitors.

www.hifiwigwam.com

 

[Rasclart]

Well....... I have set aside about £1500-2000 dont really want to go higher to be honest.

Speaker wise was looking at Kef IQ9 and Monitor Audio RS6 or RS8

Not afriad to go second hand as you get much more bang for buck. I read that the Naim HAS to have 3.5M per side cant remember why but was posted by several knowlegable peeps on Avforums, so thats £75 is for speaker cable!

 

[darren_rallye]

meridian are good in ur bracket aswell,B&W speakers are hardish to drive, but are very lively,depends what music ur gna lsiten to, they can do jungle/hardcore well and acoustic stuff well but some ppl say a bit nto defined

I wouldn't think to partner B&W with Naim.

Naim are known for very foward-sounding electronics, so a much warmer speaker would partner more effectively.

 

[Rasclart]

I hear Naim speakers aren't the hottest.

Naim users often use Dynaudio, PMC, and some old Rega or Spendors monitors.

www.hifiwigwam.com

yeah not going for Naim Speakers

 

[riz]

is the bottom selectiona a pre/power amp, if so they are better lol, arcdam amke good stuff and a re slightly cheaper and dpending on ur ears wont notice too much diff,amps can be bought second hand and u can get a bargain

 

[darren_rallye]

Well....... I have set aside about £1500-2000 dont really want to go higher to be honest.

Speaker wise was looking at Kef IQ9 and Monitor Audio RS6 or RS8

Not afriad to go second hand as you get much more bang for buck. I read that the Naim HAS to have 3.5M per side cant remember why but was posted by several knowlegable peeps on Avforums, so thats £75 is for speaker cable!

Again I'm not certain on those Kefs or Monitor audios for use with Naim...

I use to use KEF series speakers and found them too bright. MA often use metal tweeters, so I'd be worried about a similar sound too.

Also, I don't think exactly 3.5m is correct somehow, as logistically this is going to be tricky. I think the key is that the speakers cables are equal lengths, even if one speaker is closer to the amp than the other.

Fortunately IIRC Naim are a co. who don't insist on fancy cabling too much, so you can use their own simple stuff.

The Naim forum is good, http://forums.naim-audio.com/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/48019385, although you may get too involved in the cult of their brand!! :quiet:

 

[darren_rallye]

is the bottom selectiona a pre/power amp, if so they are better lol, arcdam amke good stuff and a re slightly cheaper and dpending on ur ears wont notice too much diff,amps can be bought second hand and u can get a bargain

The bottom selection IIRC are from an older range? I know the CD3.5 and others can look a bit dated, so that may be of consideration if you have a wife or something.

The new 5 series looks much nicer, and is a great starting point...

 

[riz]

only thing ur right with naim is that i heard there not flexible in terms of upgrading they are quite picky.Arcam even rotel are good nad do good stuff, second hand arcam amps go cheap and old stuff is no different from new stuff, they just add a few more numbers and dotn change it much they cant, if i were u i would go for a lesser brand but pre/power amp it, get some decent speakers and the sound would be amazing,

roksan candy are good aswell

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/hotdeals_hifi.htm

 

[darren_rallye]

only thing ur right with naim is that i heard there not flexible in terms of upgrading they are quite picky.Arcam even rotel are good nad do good stuff, second hand arcam amps go cheap and old stuff is no different from new stuff, they just add a few more numbers and dotn change it much they cant, if i were u i would go for a lesser brand but pre/power amp it, get some decent speakers and the sound would be amazing,

roksan candy are good aswell

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/hotdeals_hifi.htm

The thing about HiFi is synergy, and Naim products perform well when used together.

Where you've heard of Naim not being flexible is probably in regards to their use of DIN connections, rather than phonos.
However, their newest ranges are incorporating phono leads, so a Naim CD player can be used with other amps, for example.


Rasclart... the best thing you can do is arrange some demos with different speakers

 

[Rasclart]

is the bottom selectiona a pre/power amp, if so they are better lol, arcdam amke good stuff and a re slightly cheaper and dpending on ur ears wont notice too much diff,amps can be bought second hand and u can get a bargain

yeah bottoms selection is a pre and power amp and the top one is an Integrated!

 

[Rasclart]

is the bottom selectiona a pre/power amp, if so they are better lol, arcdam amke good stuff and a re slightly cheaper and dpending on ur ears wont notice too much diff,amps can be bought second hand and u can get a bargain

The bottom selection IIRC are from an older range? I know the CD3.5 and others can look a bit dated, so that may be of consideration if you have a wife or something.

The new 5 series looks much nicer, and is a great starting point...

Yes mate thats correct they are from the older range. I personally love the styling of the Older stuff and new stuff alike.

Will research the Arcam stuff a bit more. Going to have a listen to some setups later today if I get chance!

 

[Rasclart]

only thing ur right with naim is that i heard there not flexible in terms of upgrading they are quite picky.Arcam even rotel are good nad do good stuff, second hand arcam amps go cheap and old stuff is no different from new stuff, they just add a few more numbers and dotn change it much they cant, if i were u i would go for a lesser brand but pre/power amp it, get some decent speakers and the sound would be amazing,

roksan candy are good aswell

http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/hotdeals_hifi.htm

The thing about HiFi is synergy, and Naim products perform well when used together.

Where you've heard of Naim not being flexible is probably in regards to their use of DIN connections, rather than phonos.
However, their newest ranges are incorporating phono leads, so a Naim CD player can be used with other amps, for example.


Rasclart... the best thing you can do is arrange some demos with different speakers

Yeah the older ones have only DIN connections, but you can get DIN to phono leads if need be and the 5i comes with phonos and Din connections.

Yeah I plan to audition some speakers would never buy without listening first!

 

[darren_rallye]

Ideas and inspiraration....



Naim with PMCs:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/5262949107/inlineimg/Y/System_Pics_009.jpg

Naim with Dynaudio:
http://users.actrix.co.nz/stevea/Audio2005_1218_120514AASML.JPG

Naim with Totem:
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1594/50044ay.jpg

Naim with more PMC:
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums/a/ga/ul/2502941207/inlineimg/Y/IMGP1307_edited.JPG

Naim with B&W:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c251/adam1864/DSC00589.jpg

Naim with more Dynaudio:
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5537/system1065fd.jpg


Naim with AudioVector:
http://web.aanet.com.au/10yearsgone/118_1861.jpg

Naim with Linn Kanns:
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5783/060318parasutohifi006small4po.jpg

Naim with Rogers:
http://members.home.nl/koerts/systempic_grayscale.jpg

 

[Rasclart]

Excellent thanks mate and for the link to the other site.

Found a second hand 5i and cd5i for £1000

 

[darren_rallye]

The bottom selection IIRC are from an older range? I know the CD3.5 and others can look a bit dated, so that may be of consideration if you have a wife or something.

The new 5 series looks much nicer, and is a great starting point...

Yes mate thats correct they are from the older range. I personally love the styling of the Older stuff and new stuff alike.

Will research the Arcam stuff a bit more. Going to have a listen to some setups later today if I get chance!

Yep, I love the old stuff in a retro way... but the new stuff is nicer

I don't know how current Arcam stuff performs. I'm using an old Alpha CD player at the mo' and it's bloody whooring and noisey!

The newer Diva range looks nice, but it can be a bit dull.
I only have Cyrus myself, but I did a back-to-back test of my amp again the equivalent Arcam and the Arcam was just boring.

Naim is very love/hate. If you like their 'sound' then they probably be the best buy.

 

[Steve]

I remember the days;

Linn lp 12, lingo , itok, trokia.

Niam 82, naim nap 250 X 2, Linn Kan active

All snaik & five cables.

Running from a direct spur from the fuse box.

Long time ago, but boy did it sound good, Vinly them were the days

I lost count of the costs involved .

 

[Kirsten]

meridian are good in ur bracket aswell,B&W speakers are hardish to drive, but are very lively,depends what music ur gna lsiten to, they can do jungle/hardcore well and acoustic stuff well but some ppl say a bit nto defined

I wouldn't think to partner B&W with Naim.

Naim are known for very foward-sounding electronics, so a much warmer speaker would partner more effectively.

We have B&W partnered with Naim, i think it all depends on the system, my dad spent AGGGGGGEs listening to different setups and eventually decided that they went best for what he wanted. They also look sexy.

 

[Rasclart]

Well I listened to one in a house rather than a dealers. And the sound was amazing I loved it. Very clinical and some people say its more Hi fi than Music but I liked it

Would need to listen with some stuff I would listen to a lot.

Steve I dread to think of the bill for that little lot, just the bill for 2 X 250's would make my nutsack hurt

 

[Rasclart]

I wouldn't think to partner B&W with Naim.

Naim are known for very foward-sounding electronics, so a much warmer speaker would partner more effectively.

We have B&W partnered with Naim, i think it all depends on the system, my dad spent AGGGGGGEs listening to different setups and eventually decided that they went best for what he wanted. They also look sexy.

High Five to that

 

[Kirsten]

Well I listened to one in a house rather than a dealers. And the sound was amazing I loved it. Very clinical and some people say its more Hi fi than Music but I liked it

Would need to listen with some stuff I would listen to a lot.

not s**t music then

 

[darren_rallye]

We have B&W partnered with Naim, i think it all depends on the system, my dad spent AGGGGGGEs listening to different setups and eventually decided that they went best for what he wanted. They also look sexy.

High Five to that

Yep - the problem is that some B&Ws look so sexy, you just want them!

 

[Steve]

It's like modding cars, start off slow & add too it to appreciate the changes.

My lounge was like having the bands actually there, the imagary & depth of sound just had to be experienced to be believed.

 

[Kirsten]

It's like modding cars, start off slow & add too it to appreciate the changes.

.

exactly , and even things like getting a naim frame (stand) make a difference. everytime u do something its like wow!

 

[Rasclart]

Especially when you arent paying for it Kirsten

 

[Kirsten]

exactly chris!

 

[Rasclart]

hehe can I come rob you instead!

 

[darren_rallye]

B&Ws... sexy:

 

[Rasclart]

Hmmm they are sex wee just UBER pricey! You get what you pay for though

Ahhhh Decisions. I am trying to stick to a tightish budget as I allways do this and spend LOADS more

 

[darren_rallye]

The best thing about HiFi, especially Naim, is that second hand resale values are good.

If you bought a second hand Naim set up and needed to free up some cash later on you wouldn't really lose any cash.

 

[Rasclart]

yeah have noticed that. good when selling not so good when buying. But IMO you still get a lot of bang per buck with its high second hand price!

 

[Steve]

It's like modding cars, start off slow & add too it to appreciate the changes.

.

exactly , and even things like getting a naim frame (stand) make a difference. everytime u do something its like wow!

Cheap tip!!!!!!!!!

If your speaker stands have spikes on them & you have wooden floors.

Once you have decided on positioning of speaker stands ( bass changes depending on how far away from walls you place them)
Carefully press spikes into floor, mark position, then drill pilot holes, get some no 8 or 10 posi head screws & screw into holes.

Play around until stands are level & true, then put on your favourite track sit back & see if you can tell the difference.

Well good mod!!!!!

 

[darren_rallye]

There are so many little tweaks one can do.

Years ago before I could drive a friend and I carried paving slabs home from B&Q to put beneath my floorstanders. It sharpened things up a bit, although much of this HiFi stuff can have a placebo effect - perhaps like induction kits!

All this HiFi chat makes me wana drop some cash, although I'm at Uni, so I can't :dead:

 

[Rasclart]

hehehe DO ITTTTTT

Student Loan is the way forward LOL

 

[Steve]

The best thing about HiFi, especially Naim, is that second hand resale values are good.

If you bought a second hand Naim set up and needed to free up some cash later on you wouldn't really lose any cash.

Some of the older stuff is actually built better than the new stuff, also you can have it serviced just like your car.
Old versions can have new fronts put on them, also power outputs can be altered.