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What's wrong with Naim..? - Page 3

post #31 of 79
2/11/08 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkpowder View Post
Does the NAPSC2 come with the Headline2 or is it an extra? How much difference does it make? Have you tried the HiCap with your Naim?
The Headline comes with no power supply at all, but you can use almost any of them for the headline, from the iSupply to the Supercap. The napsc which is the first upgrade from the iSupply has the same enclosure as the headline so it's a good visual match as well as having a decent price compared to the Headline. I got them as a deal secondhand so I didn't have to think about which one to chose though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by milkpowder View Post
My first Naim experience was with the CD5i/202/200/Allaes and I was amazed at how coherent and lively well-recorded music sounded like.
Heh, that combination is not 'approved' of by the faithful. It couldn't possibly sound good, almost a mullet I would say, source first and all

Quote:
Originally Posted by milkpowder View Post
What I'm still largely unconvinced about is the upgraded power supplies. While they certainly offer audible improvements (adding XPS2 to CDX2 or HiCaps to the preamps), they are also pretty expensive.
Power supply upgrades are considered to be very worthwhile. I have an olive hicap that I got for cheaps but it needs a recap that I haven't bothered with yet. For me I can hear improvements with the hicap connected to my cd5x over the 'naked' cd5x but not the jaw-dropping ones that many people rave about over at the naim forum.
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post #32 of 79
2/11/08 at 12:44pm
I've heard a couple of Naim set ups and liked them a lot. But what is it about the cultish way of some naim people. It's slightly creepy. A friend of a friend was that way -- alright already, it's just stereo equipment. Very Scientology.
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post #33 of 79
2/11/08 at 1:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hadden View Post
I've heard a couple of Naim set ups and liked them a lot. But what is it about the cultish way of some naim people. It's slightly creepy. A friend of a friend was that way -- alright already, it's just stereo equipment. Very Scientology.
Yes very creepy indeed.... and I think it's a shame that it has come to that since their gear actually is very good. But maybe Naims recent releases with the nVi and the Supernait is an attempt to break away from that cultish reputation.
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post #34 of 79
2/11/08 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkpowder View Post
I do know about Chord cables but have never tried anything more expensive than the middle-of-the-road Silver Chameleons. The Signatures are too expensive for my wallet to bear and I just don't see the point spending as much on interconnects as I spend on my source, for example.
Yes I agree, I bought a range of cables to try mostly 2nd hand, some of which were expensive and the differences weren't worthwhile for what they would cost new.

I put this down to superior design of DIN coupling over RCA. In other words if the pre amp is properly designed then changing cables shouldn't be able to make such sonic differences as it can with conventional RCA couplings.

Many hobbyists also slate Naim for not using exotic "audiophile" capacitors or suchlike but I think their philosophy has always been to keep things simple and focus on the overall layout.

The newer stuff is well made but design wise I think Naim's classic period was the 1980s chrome bumper and olive series.
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post #35 of 79
2/11/08 at 3:27pm
"Lord Vader, your Source is ready..."

I'd love to hear some Naim gear, but they're hard to find.
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post #36 of 79
2/11/08 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiWire View Post
"Lord Vader, your Source is ready..."


classic '80s Naim flat earth amps.
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post #37 of 79
2/11/08 at 3:53pm
Aaaah that's some classic beauties. Thanks for the pic mempool!
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post #38 of 79
2/11/08 at 5:50pm
How about this one:


Not mine.......unfortunately

I love my set up, ideal at the moment for a small room. I had the new Supernait on loan over Christmas and while it was good, I think an upgrade to CD5X would be better. I'm planning that in this year -- then 122x/150x combo.
My Grados love the Naim sound -- extra, extra detail. All over the place!

As far as I/Cs go, I changed from the standard 'lavender' to a Chord Solid DIN-DIN (cheap, secondhand) with the intention of selling it on at no loss if I liked the lavender more. To my ears there was an improvement (blind test), albeit only slight.

I think the Brit-centricity is definitely a factor though; their after sales, great as it is, service relies heavily on their Wilshire workshop and a US customer may have extended waiting times.
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post #39 of 79
2/11/08 at 6:18pm
Baaah! That system is peanuts!

But what does the big subwoofer do just next to the Fraims and below the turntable?!
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post #40 of 79
2/11/08 at 10:38pm
A modest but much loved combo keeps my toes tapping:

CD5i
NAC92
NAP90/3
Flatcap
Epos ES11

This setup is indeed unforgiving of compressed rubbish but really sings when fed something a little more special.
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post #41 of 79
2/14/08 at 11:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hadden View Post
But what is it about the cultish way of some naim people. It's slightly creepy.
Just what do you mean by that?
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post #42 of 79
2/15/08 at 5:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kuma View Post
Just what do you mean by that?
One of the high priests has spoken
(albeit one of the less creepy, I think...)
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post #43 of 79
2/15/08 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kuma View Post
Just what do you mean by that?
I'm sure you avoided the special koolaide, Kuma
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post #44 of 79
2/15/08 at 3:27pm

Cheers!
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post #45 of 79
2/16/08 at 9:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tonym View Post
How about this one:


Not mine.......unfortunately
Mad setup! Any more details about it? From the look of the gear, he's running a stereo (CD555, 552/50) and a multi-channel (via AV2, NAP150x/NAPV175?) set-up.

This guy has upgraded to dual 500s

Quote:
I love my set up, ideal at the moment for a small room. I had the new Supernait on loan over Christmas and while it was good, I think an upgrade to CD5X would be better. I'm planning that in this year -- then 122x/150x combo.

My Grados love the Naim sound -- extra, extra detail. All over the place!
I've heard the CD5x/112x/150x combo. Great front end IMO.
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