Naim and tannoy.

[chelsea]

Is it a combo made in heaven or hell.

Heard both seperatly numerous times but never in the same system.

Just curious how these 2 would get on together.

[DSJR]

It PURELY depends on the models you're talking about, as both makers have their fair share of heaven and hell products.

Sorry, you're going to have to be more specific...


If it's any help, of the CB and Olive range of Naim, the Nait, 180 and 135's were the nicest sounding - when new - , the 110 and 140 the worst - opinion based on selling and countless dems of aforesaid products. The current range of Tannoy Prestige offer a very friendly balance well suited to any GOOD amp of whatever make. however, the HPD series Tannoy DC's can have a ragged and spiteful treble if you're unlucky and the early eighties models (including LGM's) could shriek in the upper midband.

Old Tannoys like Marco's do seem to like good valve and also Quad amps best I think.

[chelsea]

Say maybe the vintage models of both cb nait 1 &2,110,140,180 and tannoy gold 12,15"

[DSJR]

I'd personally recommend either of the Naits and/or a fully re-furbished 180, which sounded lovely new, but apparently sounds horrid when old, as they all are now. maybe a LATE Olive 140 may be ok as the boards benefitted from the slightly better output transistors.

Don't get me wrong please, but there are well documented (now) reasons why naim amps seem to wear out so quickly and why they distort the way they can so often do. Sometimes, I think it's deliberate to make the sound more "exciting" but I'm going to be accused of sour grapes and product annihilation. Current Naims do seem rather more mellow as long as they're not pushed and a nait 5 of any era with Flatcap 2 for the preamp section will drive Tannoys well as it will never be pushed hard enough to hurt on music peaks.

I forgot to mention the original bolt-up 250, which I still have a very soft affectionate spot for. Musical and actually sweet toned, a well fettled example will drive any tannoy to perfection, but be prepared to spend out on a recap/re-furb either at Avondale or Darren at Class A (Naim themselves, via their dealer network, will be too dear after all the profits have been counted in)

Also Old Tannoys may need some work too. The Monitor Golds as Marco uses NEED big boxes to perform best as efficiency came before bass extension, otherwise there's no deep bass and a coloured mid (IIILZ's). The HPD's can be great fun and smaller ones like Devons can be lovely, but will need their cone-surrounds checked as the foam will have failed at least twice by now. Lockwoods do a complete driver refurb and although not cheap, these drivers come back re-coiled and coned and sounding better than when new.

Let us know how you get on.