MY SYSTEM
SOURCES: Marantz cd63 mk2 ki, Marantz cd6000ose
AMPLIFICATION: Albarry m408s mono blocs with ap3 pre
CABLES: Chord company c-line, Monster interlink 400, QED silver speaker cable, Tacima cs947 mains conditioner
SPEAKERS: Mission 752 freedoms, AKG K550 mk2 headphones
Strictly speaking, no, I'd argue that it isn't - high fidelity is all about getting as close as possible to the truth. Surely there's only one truth?
Having said that, if the truth lies at the top of a mountain and two audiophiles are climbing that mountain with the aim of getting to the top, one might be climbing the north face and one climbing the south face. They might be equally high and therefore equally close to the top but still get a very different view from their respective points on the journey.
Or I could be talking bollox
Location: Seaford UK
Posts: 1,861
I'm Dennis.
I contend that there is only one truth, but also that there is a limit to the usefulness of metaphors.
James I have tried to 'get' the Naim sound for more than 20 years. Over that time I've had quite a few Naim amps for home demo but just couldn't get on with the sound at all and wondered what all the fuss was about
However, as I reported a few months ago, I thought I'd have one last go to see if I could now appreciate the Naim sound and to my surprise this time it was a revelation and absolutely loved the sound
I now have both the XS2 and Supernait 2 amps, don't ask , and I now totally 'get' the Naim sound. I have also got a Naim CD5XS and a Naim Dac... that's how much I like Naim now
I have no idea why it took me so long but it might be that in the past I only tried their entry level amps and this time I moved up the range a bit. It might also be that over all that time Naim has changed it's signature sound somewhat, I have no idea
If you told me I would have a complete Naim setup some years ago I would never have believed it
The other surprise is that Naim gear really does like Naim cables so I am now using NACA5 speaker cable and the standard 5 pin din cable between Dac and amp. The only cable that isn't Naim is the Black Cat BNC cable between Cd and Dac
If you asked me to describe my Naim sound I think the best I could do is to say that it is an incredibly musical sound and always 'foot tapping' and so much fun to listen to
In the past I would have described the Naim sound as a bit harsh but the XS2 and Supernait 2 are nothing like that at all, actually quite a smoothy sound to be honest
I also love the build quality of my 4 Naim's, very solid and a joy to use especially the cd player with it's swing out drawer
So now I definitely wouldn't say Naim is overrated and would go as far to say that I think it represents pretty good value for money especially on the used market which is how I got mine. However Naim holds it's value pretty well on the used market and apparently the Naim service department is very good and can still service Naim's going back quite a few years
Do I miss my valve setup ? actually no I don't
Just my thoughts
If I decide in the future to go back to valves for some reason I know there is a ready market for my Naim gear and should sell easily
Last edited by Ninanina; 09-12-2017 at 21:18.
Bev
Mark Levinson N°390s CD Through:Atlas Elektra XLR's To: Mark Levinson N°383 To: Magneplanar .7's
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire these days
Posts: 4,779
I'm Shaun.
My experience was back around 1979 and although there was nothing wrong with the 42/110/snaps combo I had it really didn't suit my ears or the rest of my system at that time. I was then using IMF Super Compact loudspeakers which I loved but the Naim was just too brash for me. Twenty years later I discovered valves and realised where I had been going wrong.