New Toy - Too Embarrassed To Reveal What It Is

[Ninanina]

I have a new toy in my system but I really am too embarrassed to reveal what it is... :eek:

I will give it some 'play time' and if I like it as much as I think I do then I will tell all... It is NOT valve related... :doh:

[southall-1998]

Why not be straight, Bev? Just say what it is!

S.

[walpurgis]

It has Bose written on it? :eek:

[Scooby]

It can be fun guessing. I'd say a synergistic research fuse.

[Ninanina]

Well come on then lets be having some guesses..

The clue is it's an amp... (no not Bose written on it! ; ) )

[Pete The Cat]

Go on, give us a clue...

Pete

[fatmarley]

Cambridge audio?

[walpurgis]

Amstrad?

[Ninanina]

Cambridge audio?

No :)

[Ninanina]

Amstrad?

Errrr close .... not :doh:

[struth]

naim

[southall-1998]

Does it have good PRAT?

S.

[walpurgis]

Mark Levinson?

[Ninanina]

naim

Bugger...... now how did you get to that Grant ? spooky.... :doh: :doh:

[struth]

Bugger...... now how did you get to that Grant ? spooky.... :doh: :doh:

:eyebrows:

i know your tastes;

[Ninanina]

Is it maybe that anything Naim is indeed embarrassing ?

[Pete The Cat]

Got it ! A Strathearn STM4 turntable.

I claim my prize.

Pete

[Ninanina]

:eyebrows:

i know your tastes;

Strange as I've mentioned some time ago that I just don't 'get' the Naim sound but this amp is so musical, and gripping, and it seems to just love the LV's and the rest of the system... honestly I am the most surprised one here :eek:

[Ninanina]

I somehow hate that I like the Naim.... it is indeed embarrassing to me ... nightmare :doh:

[southall-1998]

Supernait S2, Bev?

S.

[Ninanina]

Supernait S2, Bev?

S.

No Shane the XS2... I believe the SN2 is far too harsh sounding and this XS2 is quite a 'smoothy' really .... It is just so musical... I can't believe it myself...

[Ninanina]

:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

I'll get my coat........ :doh:

[southall-1998]

Why be embarrassed?

:rolleyes:

S.

[Audio Al]

Good job I arrived at this thread late , I was going to ask if it buzzed :D

But I wont ask now :lol:

[RothwellAudio]

I think Julian Vereker stuck rigidly to hos old designs and wouldn't allow anyone to deviate from them or the established Naim sound - which I personally found unbearable. However, since his death I think there have been considerable changes at Naim. I haven't heard a new Naim amp so I can't comment on them.

[Ninanina]

Why be embarrassed?

:rolleyes:

S.

Well Shane I have posted before about not 'getting' the Naim sound and I've probably rubbished Naim in the past..... BUT I had a moment of weakness so had to try it at home... I purchased on eBay and it's absolutely as new and less than a year old...I've spoken to the chap I got it from on the phone a few times and it certainly does come from a very good home..

I am really enjoying it... and it does not have the harshness that I previously associated with anything Naim...

Also leaving it powered up all the time is novel to me after valve amps...

[Ninanina]

Good job I arrived at this thread late , I was going to ask if it buzzed :D

But I wont ask now :lol:

No the 'buzzing' item arrived last week Al.... love it already..... :eek:

[southall-1998]

Well Shane I have posted before about not 'getting' the Naim sound and I've probably rubbished Naim in the past..... BUT I had a moment of weakness so had to try it at home... I purchased on eBay and it's absolutely as new and less than a year old...I've spoken to the chap I got it from on the phone a few times and it certainly does come from a very good home..

I am really enjoying it... and it does not have the harshness that I previously associated with anything Naim...

Also leaving it powered up all the time is novel to me after valve amps...


It is what it is, Bev.

The modern Naim stuff can sound very good!

S.

[Ninanina]

It is what it is, Bev.

The modern Naim stuff can sound very good!

S.

Have you heard the XS2 Shane ?

[southall-1998]

Have you heard the XS2 Shane ?


No. Only had a few Nait 5i's. if i may ask, how much did you pay for your XS2?

S.

[Audio Al]

No the 'buzzing' item arrived last week Al.... love it already..... :eek:

:stalks:

[Ninanina]

No. Only had a few Nait 5i's. if i may ask, how much did you pay for your XS2?

S.

Shane I also had a 5i and I didn't get along with it at all; I think that is when I might have posted about not getting the 'Naim sound' and finding it very harsh sounding. The XS2 is absolutely nothing like that and to be honest is a revelation sound wise

I paid about £1K for the XS2 which I considered pretty good as they are about £1,800 new... mine really is just like new, I can't find a mark on it and the remote is still sealed and never been used and I don't intend to use it either

[RothwellAudio]

I think the XS2 was introduced long after Vereker's death so the design is possibly a long way off the old designs. No bad thing in my opinion.

[Ninanina]

I think the XS2 was introduced long after Vereker's death so the design is possibly a long way off the old designs. No bad thing in my opinion.

You might be correct there Andrew

This XS2 sounds absolutely nothing like the other Naim amps I've auditioned, and for the better I believe. Even compared to my super smoothy valve amps it does not sound harsh at all.... just very musical and kinda 'foot tapping' in some way.. it really does grab you and it's so very easy to follow a tune/beat/instrument

As I say nobody could be more surprised than me of the finesse of the XS2, quite a 'grown up' sound, if that makes any sense at all :)

[walpurgis]

http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/nait-xs-2-better-than-supernait-2

[Ninanina]

http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/nait-xs-2-better-than-supernait-2

You maybe right there Geoff..

In that article the guy mentions the XS2 as 'seductive!' and that's exactly how I would describe it

The chap I purchased the XS2 from replaced it with the Supernait 2 and is now regretting it... he says the SN2 is far too harsh sounding and keeps wanting to turn the volume down as it seems to 'attack' his ears too much... he is going to sell the SN2 very soon....

So it might be that the XS2 is the smooth operator of the Naim amps...

I am absolutely loving it, much to my amazement :)

[southall-1998]

This is very interesting. I'd have expected the SN2, to be the most refined one of the family!

S.

[Ninanina]

This is very interesting. I'd have expected the SN2, to be the most refined one of the family!

S.

Shane I had a conversation tonight with the chap I purchased the XS2 from and he is definitely regretting his purchase of the SN2... He said the Creek Evolution 50A that he also has sounds better than the SN2, and the Creek sells for about £700 brand new... he really does not like the SN2 at all due to it's rather aggressive nature

[Marco]

I have a new toy in my system but I really am too embarrassed to reveal what it is... :eek:

I will give it some 'play time' and if I like it as much as I think I do then I will tell all... It is NOT valve related... :doh:

Does it 'buzz' and use batteries? ;)

Marco.

[southall-1998]

Intriguing!

Could be ear or mind synergy going on there.

Enjoy your Naim, Bev.

S.

[Ninanina]

Does it 'buzz' and use batteries? ;)

Marco.

It does, and it does indeed Marco.... love it :eek:

[Ninanina]

Intriguing!

Could be ear or mind synergy going on there.

Enjoy your Naim, Bev.

S.

I have absolutely no idea why the XS2 sounds so good Shane... ear/mind synergy? who knows but I can tell you it sounds so very good in my system... The XS2 seems to be loving the rest of the system and 'fits in' very nicely indeed

If you have only auditioned the Nait 5i's then you really should take a listen to the XS2, you might be very surprised Shane, as I am... it is very very good indeed, I am truly amazed at the quality of sound from such a little box of tricks ;)

[Ninanina]

I am now listening at very low levels as it's late and the XS2 still sounds amazing... It might be because the LV's are so easy to drive, I have no idea, but the toons are sounding lovely ... :)

[Marco]

And I believe it glows all green too, just like a cucumber! :D

Enjoy yer choons on ya new toy :)

Marco.

[Ninanina]

And I believe it glows all green too, just like a cucumber! :D

Enjoy yer choons on ya new toy :)

Marco.

I does indeed glow a nice green, however I am superstitious and I don't like green at all... but so be it.. :doh:

I am indeed really enjoying my new toy Marco... I am as amazed as anyone to be honest... I did not ever think anything would ever come close to my valve wonders..;)

[Ammonite Audio]

Shane I had a conversation tonight with the chap I purchased the XS2 from and he is definitely regretting his purchase of the SN2... He said the Creek Evolution 50A that he also has sounds better than the SN2, and the Creek sells for about £700 brand new... he really does not like the SN2 at all due to it's rather aggressive nature

If my experience is anything to go by, the SN2 responds very well to careful setup and cabling, and can be a delightfully refined and musical performer. Naim NACA5 speaker cable, while an utter PITA being so stiff, is clearly the best thing for the SN2, and for some reason I always get better sonic results with RCA cables than via DIN, even though the wires inside the amp are joined at the PCB and otherwise identical. Although it's a biggish bump up in cost, a HiCap DR definitely improved all aspects of the sound, including making it even more 'organic' while retaining the characteristic Naim time-coherence and musicality. I've not heard the XS2 but the SN2 is worth bearing with - it's a cracking amplifier and very easily saw off my previous Hegel H160 which represented 'smooth and refined' in an alternative, musically numb way.

[jandl100]

1. Bev.
2. New amp.
3. She loves it.

It has to be Naim.
I hate Naim amps, young and old.
Bev and I are polar opposites.
We should be married. :lol:

[Scooby]

Something about certain Naims is so communicative. If it's doing it for you, I'd say don't analyse it, just accept and allow. Oh, and think long and hard before changing it. If you get the urge to do so, keep it in the background for a while just to make sure the newcomer isn't just offering the rush you get from it being "different".

I reckon being able to change your mind about stuff you previously wrote off is to be applauded. It shows your mind is open. If only everyone was like that, we'd have a lot less petty arguments on some forums.

[petrat]

I wasn't going to contribute to this thread, but I've been saying for years that the 'new' (post 2003) Naim kit is nothing like the older JV stuff. I really do get sick of people who persistently slag-off Naim on this forum .. uninformed nonsense from people who haven't heard the new products. I'm a died-in-the-wool vinyl, valves and Tannoy person ... and I've owned plenty of Naim kit (still do!). Welcome to the club, Nina.

That chap's SN2 shouldn't sound like that ... mine isn't aggressive at all. I'd suggest it either needs running in, or it's showing up the true nature of his speakers. I recently had a Nait 5si, and it was rather 'warmer' and less detailed than the SN2, a lot less revealing. BTW, I use AoS Klotz rca interconnects ... the freebie grey DIN cable is a frightful thing.

Jerry is wrong about Naim ... and Tannoys ... and Leben .... and ... and ... :lol:

[jandl100]

Audionote.

You need to add Audionote to that list, Peter. :lol:

[User211]

I've only ever quite liked two Naim products. And I do mean 'quite liked'. Naim DBL speakers and the Statement amp as it made Focal Grand Utopias sound quite good.

Bit sterile in both cases though.

[Ninanina]

I reckon being able to change your mind about stuff you previously wrote off is to be applauded. It shows your mind is open. If only everyone was like that, we'd have a lot less petty arguments on some forums.

That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said Andy, thank you so much

If i didn't like the little Naim as much as I seem to I would not have posted, I am truly impressed with it and I never thought I would say that about anything Naim

[Ninanina]

I just couldn't resist it :doh: :doh:

I have a Supernait 2 coming on a 'sale or return' basis when I return from hols in a week or so

I have no interest in Naim separates, or any other separates, so I thought why not try the 'so called' best integrated currently being offered by Naim

I have also just received some NACA5 cable which the system seems to love, which I find strange for such an 'ordinary' looking, and not too expensive, cable

[southall-1998]

Very interesting. Looking forward to your findings, Bev.

S.

[Ninanina]

Very interesting. Looking forward to your findings, Bev.

S.

I'll be back :D

[vintage60]

Bev

I've owned many bits of Naim kit over the years, including their one box solutions. Would say that Uniti mk1 is about the same as a Nait 5i-2 and CD5i rolled into one. SN 1 about the same as a 202/Hicap/200.

Personally I hated Nac A5 cable. Thought the treble was a bit harsh and ragged. Chord Odyssey 2 was much better in my opinion. Also didn't like Avondale Blacklink as it seemed a tad dull and curtailed the fabled PRaT.

Currently swapping between Anti-Cables Level 3 and Townsend Isoldas on my Naim system with very pleasing results.

I'm not surprised you like the XS. I think it's one of the sweet spots in Naim's line up.

Let us know how you get on in the coming weeks after the honeymoon period has ended.

BR,

Thiha

[Scooby]

If I didn't have a matching CD player and amp, I'd be wanting a Nait XS now! :)

It will be interesting to hear what Bev makes of them in her own system. She can't lose either, because she's trying the amps side by side. Smart move IMO because relying on memory and doing a mental comparison with weeks and months in between isn't really reliable. Naim hold their value better than almost any hifi brand so the one she decides to sell will be a very easy flip. It's a win-win.

[Ninanina]

If I didn't have a matching CD player and amp, I'd be wanting a Nait XS now! :)

It will be interesting to hear what Bev makes of them in her own system. She can't lose either, because she's trying the amps side by side. Smart move IMO because relying on memory and doing a mental comparison with weeks and months in between isn't really reliable. Naim hold their value better than almost any hifi brand so the one she decides to sell will be a very easy flip. It's a win-win.

The only thing I can say Andy is if you ever get a chance to audition the XS2 I don't think you would be disappointed

I've not had my toons on for a couple of days until now and the little Naim is still sounding very good indeed and my first thoughts about it were not wrong

I won't get the Supernait 2 until I return from hols but as soon as I do I'll then be able to do a back-to-back comparison to the XS

[Ninanina]

The Supernait 2 is arriving on Tuesday :)

[Ammonite Audio]

My SuperNait2 surprised and delighted me, so I hope yours does the same. It does respond very well to careful setup and, yes, cabling does matter. So far, Naim's hateful NACA5 speaker cable seems to work best, but it's truly horrible stuff to live with, being so stiff. I've found that RCA cables are always better than DIN, even when using Naim's own cables. A HiCap DR makes it sound much more grown up and sweeter. Lovely amp that when carefully set up will confound preconceptions of a harsh 'Naim Sound'.

[Joe]

it's truly horrible stuff to love with, being so stiff.

Oo-er, missus!

[Ninanina]

My SuperNait2 surprised and delighted me, so I hope yours does the same. It does respond very well to careful setup and, yes, cabling does matter. So far, Naim's hateful NACA5 speaker cable seems to work best, but it's truly horrible stuff to live with, being so stiff. I've found that RCA cables are always better than DIN, even when using Naim's own cables. A HiCap DR makes it sound much more grown up and sweeter. Lovely amp that when carefully set up will confound preconceptions of a harsh 'Naim Sound'.

That's very interesting Hugo

When you say 'careful setup' could you expand on that?

As I don't have a Naim cd player I'm using the RCA connections which sound fine to me, albeit against the recommended Naim DIN connections

My NACA5 cable had to go back to the dealer as it was so very badly made, very shoddy work indeed. I did use the NACA5 for a couple of hours and I was very impressed, even against my TQ Ultra Black which I never thought possible

I am hoping the new NACA5 and the SN2 will both arrive on Tuesday

Hugo you also mention the harsh "Naim Sound" and that is exactly my previous experience of Naim amps, however the XS2 is anything but harsh sounding and a complete surprise to me. I am hoping that the SN2 will be somewhat like the XS2 but kind of 'more so', if that makes sense

I am listening to my toons, via the XS2, as I type and after not hearing it for a week I still really like it so I know my initial thoughts about it were correct ;)

[Ninanina]

That chap's SN2 shouldn't sound like that ... mine isn't aggressive at all. I'd suggest it either needs running in, or it's showing up the true nature of his speakers

Well the SN2 arrived and the NACA5 + jumpers

You are spot on Peter the chaps SN2 should not sound like it does as mine sounds fantastic and not aggressive at all and no hint of any harshness anywhere

Do I prefer it to the XS2? I can't answer that one at the moment as I've just been enjoying the SN2 for the last few days

My best description of the SN2 is that it's 'similar' sounding to the XS2 in some ways but 'more so' if that makes any sense. It is certainly more revealing than the XS2 but it still seems to like the rest of the system

I won't swap back to the XS2 for a few days yet and then I can do a back-to-back comparison

But loving the SN2's sound at the moment ;)

[petrat]

That's good! It'll be interesting to see what you decide, Bev. I would think that the SN2 is a better amplifier, but as we all know, that doesn't mean it'll be more enjoyable :lol:

[SteveG]

That's good! It'll be interesting to see what you decide, Bev. I would think that the SN2 is a better amplifier, but as we all know, that doesn't mean it'll be more enjoyable :lol:

That's a very good point. I'm looking forward to hearing the outcome. It's always good to hear other poeple' experiences comparing things at hiome in their own systems. I admire anyone who stumps up for two products in order to compare them at their leisure.

[Ninanina]

That's good! It'll be interesting to see what you decide, Bev. I would think that the SN2 is a better amplifier, but as we all know, that doesn't mean it'll be more enjoyable :lol:

You may well be right there Peter

I'm still getting a 'handle' on the SN2's sound. It is certainly very musical, like the XS2 is, but there is definitely more detail revealed than that amp and it seems easier to follow any thread of the music with the SN2

I won't swap back to the XS2 for a little while but when I do I will come back with my thoughts ;)

[Ninanina]

I admire anyone who stumps up for two products in order to compare them at their leisure.

Well I've never done this before but as I was so impressed with the first Naim, the XS2, I wanted to see what the top Naim integrated was like against it.. I love both of them but I will only be keeping one :)

[Ninanina]

Well I know it's a bit of a cliché but I'm listening to cd's I know very well and with the SN2 they sound completely different, it's like listening to a new cd

Maybe it's because I am coming from valves, I don't know, but the difference is not at all slight

I will swap back to the XS2 at some point but so enjoying the SN2 at the moment I am in no rush at all

Certainly one of the Naim's will be staying put and my other 3 amps will be sold.. and I never expected that :doh:

[southall-1998]

Bev now believes the earth is flat ;)

S.

[Ninanina]

Bev now believes the earth is flat ;)

S.

:doh: and some more :doh:

[Ninanina]

I've put the XS2 back in the system and have left it on for a good while to let it warm up nicely

My first impressions are that I like both amps which puts me in a real dilemma, which one should I keep?

:doh:

[southall-1998]

Play heads or tails.

S.

[struth]

cheapest? or the one likeliest to hold its price best

[walpurgis]

which one should I keep?

The one most likely to be compatible with possible future equipment changes?

[Ninanina]

All very valid points

I would be happy with either amp in my system for a very long time, seriously they are both that good, and I won't be faffing about with external power supplies ever

I'll swap back in a day or two just to remind me what I liked about the SN2

[Rick_F]

It just goes to show you can't judge an item until it's in your own home and system. The more I've experimented over the years, the more I believe in just trying to see if a synergy exist to my liking. Amps in particular can give dramatically different characteristics when connected to different speakers. I had some D class monoblocks that sounded harsh and thin with my Peak Consult speakers, yet mellifluous with the Snell A's.

As for your decision Bev, would you miss the xtra definition of the SN2 if you sold it?

[Firebottle]

... to see if a synergy exists to my liking.

Now 'that' has to be the one of the most applicable statements to the whole of this hi-fi malarky.

Good one Rick :thumbsup:

[Ninanina]

Now 'that' has to be the one of the most applicable statements to the whole of this hi-fi malarky.



That's the problem both amps seem to be fitting in very well with the rest of the system

The SN2 is now back in so will give it some time to warm up a bit, we will see ;)

[walpurgis]

A few years ago, I reached a point where I said to myself 'this is it' and I've not really changed anything in the main line up since, 'cos it sounds just great. And I mean seriously great. Coming back home from hearing majorly expensive and fancy setups and putting my sounds on and thinking, 'this is better'. That's what to aim for Bev.

[Ninanina]

A few years ago, I reached a point where I said to myself 'this is it' and I've not really changed anything in the main line up since, 'cos it sounds just great. And I mean seriously great. Coming back home from hearing majorly expensive and fancy setups and putting my sounds on and thinking, 'this is better'. That's what to aim for Bev.

That makes complete sense to me Geoff. I quite believe whatever Naim amp I end up with will be in the system for a very long time as I've never felt this strongly about a couple of amps before, they really are that good, to me anyway

I know what you mean about coming home from an audition of "expensive and fancy" systems and still loving your home system. One of the most expensive systems I ever listened to was some Mark Levinson monoblocks with an equally expensive ML pre and I was completely underwhelmed by the sound, I can't remember the total cost but it was extortionate and it did absolutely nothing for me and my rather humble system at home was much 'better'

[petrat]

Hi Bev.

Geoff's advice in post 79 is spot-on. That's where I am with my main system, and it seems like you're almost there, too :thumbsup:

IME, Naim have really nailed their amp 'ladder' at the moment. I've heard most of the current range, and each is really very good at sounding 'just right' in isolation / at each step ... which, as you've discovered, makes auditioning rather challenging, because they all sound good when appropriately matched :lol: The Nait 5si I had sounded very engaging and balanced, when fed with a CD5si and driving a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT6 stand-mounters. It wasn't until I got the CDX2 and a pair of KEF Reference 104/2 speakers that it started to struggle a bit, and its limitations became more obvious. I went on to a Supernait 2, but your speakers are easy to drive, so I'm not surprised that each amp sounds fine in its own right.

From my experience the SN2 will probably drive most speakers properly, so maybe if you think that you might ever change speakers in the future, it might be a safer long-term bet? It also has enough resolution to clearly show any source upgrades, too ... the differences between the 3 cd players I have atm were more easily heard with the SN2 than the Nait 5si. If all else fails, just disengage your analytical brain and follow your heart :D

[Ninanina]

Hi Bev.

Geoff's advice in post 79 is spot-on. That's where I am with my main system, and it seems like you're almost there, too :thumbsup:

IME, Naim have really nailed their amp 'ladder' at the moment. I've heard most of the current range, and each is really very good at sounding 'just right' in isolation / at each step ... which, as you've discovered, makes auditioning rather challenging, because they all sound good when appropriately matched :lol: The Nait 5si I had sounded very engaging and balanced, when fed with a CD5si and driving a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT6 stand-mounters. It wasn't until I got the CDX2 and a pair of KEF Reference 104/2 speakers that it started to struggle a bit, and its limitations became more obvious. I went on to a Supernait 2, but your speakers are easy to drive, so I'm not surprised that each amp sounds fine in its own right.

From my experience the SN2 will probably drive most speakers properly, so maybe if you think that you might ever change speakers in the future, it might be a safer long-term bet? It also has enough resolution to clearly show any source upgrades, too ... the differences between the 3 cd players I have atm were more easily heard with the SN2 than the Nait 5si. If all else fails, just disengage your analytical brain and follow your heart :D

Peter thanks for your message

Well I swapped back to the XS2 for a couple of weeks and only put the SN2 back in a few days ago

The trouble is I still cannot decide between the two amps

If it makes any sense at all I find the SN2 a little more 'grown up'

As I now have the Chord Hugo as my dac, being fed by the Naim CD5XS as transport, the SN2 seems to be showing itself as the more revealing of the two amps

I am having quite a few 'good grief' moments with the Hugo and SN2 in the system so maybe the SN2 will stay ;)

[southall-1998]

Bev,

How are you getting on with the Supernait 2?

Does it sound more civilised/refined than the XS-2?

S.

[southall-1998]

Fart to Bev..... Are you listening?

:D

S.

[Ninanina]

Hi Shane
Well I have only been listening to the Supernait 2 for some weeks now and it's really very good indeed

To be honest I can't remember how the XS2 sounded but I think I would say the SN2 is indeed more civilised/refined than the XS2... there is absolutely nothing wrong with the XS2 and it was that amp that got me 'into' the Naim sound

I will try the XS2 again soon and will then be able to give you more of an update