Naim stuff today does sound different from the older chrome bumper and olive stuff. Both still have great rhythm and timng though, but the older stuff is less neutral and perhaps more "committed". I like both but prefer the older stuff myself.

Naim tends to polarise people because it does some things exceedingly well. If you value its strengths, you will likely be hooked. If not, you'll probably wonder why others love it so much.

I'm not sure where anyone would get the idea of "money under the table " with Exposure gear though. It tends to be the older John Farlowe era kit that is so highly praised. Nothing to gain by hyping that, as the new stuff is completely different and only really shares the brand name.