How come nobody ever talks about....

[pbirkett]

.... Naim CD players on this forum?

In this country they are very much talked about players for being really, really excellent players in terms of liveliness, analogue-esque sound, pace rythym and timing, and just being plain fun and musical. Yet nobody ever seems to talk about them on this forum, is it because they are not easy to get across the drink, or do you yanks just not like them?

 

[john_jcb]

I think for the most part they take a bit more effort to locate. If they were more readily accessible through brick and mortar dealers you would see far more comments. It is a similar situation although not quite as bad with the Meridian players. I know one of our sponsors Todd the Vinyl Junkie is a dealer so they are available mail order.

 

[emelius]

possibly 'cuz their own forum does pretty well?...

 

[tom hankins]

I have always liked them. The older models were a pain in the butt though because of the special cabling.

 

[lini]

Doesn't kuma have one of the big Naims, too? Iirc, she's quite fond of it...

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: The recent CD-5i model also got fine reviews over here, btw...

 

[braillediver]

I’ve got a NAIM CD5 and love it. I’ll probably be upgrading to a NAIM CD5X in a month or 2 when they come out.

With my Grado HP-2’s and a custom tube amp the combo makes some really fine music. It’s very involving and musical. I even like the funky pull out tray and the puck.

Yes they are hard to come by and audition if you don’t have a local dealer and the price is pretty rigidly controlled but the quality of build and sound is excellent.

The new models come with RCA jacks so this might entice a few more people to try them.

On the NAIM site the consensus is the NAIM cables are just right and they come with the units so it’s a very good value.


Mitch

 

[fyrfytrhoges]

if i had to guess its the availability issue. around here i know of only one place that carries them, and only one or two choices at that. i would be willing to listen to them if the chance presented itself.

 

[John Reeves]

Hi,

Thanks for the link Emelius. I'll check this out, since I will be upgrading towards the end othe year. My amplification is NAIM so I don't want to loose the synergy when I get a good player.

PS I still love my Isobariks, any comments on new models compared with them anyone?

Thanks
John

 

[tk_suki]

I have heard good things about the Naim equipment, including personally from a owner(from UK as you might guess) told me to go vinyl BTW, glad I did, but alas could not find Naim to audition in Japan.

Todd at least offers a trial on the Meridians, er from U.K. too, and for good reason, little risk of coming back. MY TT also from the U.K. and gets little to no discussion, but so it goes, has little to do with performance. Most likely same with Naim.

Just coz a product gets a lot of hype does not mean there are not others as good or better out there.

But distribution does matter. I purchased a Roksan TT, probably only person, over VPI-Scout coz could demo, so knew what I was getting, plus support. While Scout is the renowed leader, similar to the Naims outside U.K. less accessible.

(Yes I know I am reiterating points already mentioned, but for emphasis). There are many good products that are less accessible and a shame. For those fortunate to have access consider yourselves lucky. I know I do(wish I could do more but do offer to allow folks to audition and assist in buying for Japan specialties).

Yes the Naim forum would be best for such a question. But much like the Head-fi and other specialty forums folks often do not know exist. I learned of head-fi from avsforum on a whim, glad I did!

My system is very enjoyable with the G08 so no urge to explore the Naim further, but I was curious before and could not hear so considered other products. There ya have it IMHO.

 

[dave-the-rave]

Naim systems are usually all-Naim; this forum seems to have a lot of users who are still assembling systems from the bottom ($) up, or are less interested in a whole-system approach because of their headphone-centric orientation.

I auditioned a couple of well-reviewed Naim CD players, but preferred a Cary.